From idea to finished knife

Clydetz

Clydetz

Joined
Dec 1, 2001
Messages
2,871
I recently received the finished product of my "dream" knife. The idea for this knife has "stuck in my mind " for several years. It wasn't until I started to visit several websites that I finally put my idea on paper, found a knifemaker willing to tackle the project and accepted his input for the finer details. I was very pleased with the results. Now I have another knife being made and another idea in the works.
Has anyone else put their ideas on paper & had the final product exceed their expectations?
 
Not yet. I have designed a knife that will be made by a local maker by the name of Lee Brooks. That knife will be done sometime this year.
 
Clydetz,
I have had Bill Pease make me a few knives from my drawings. His work is usally perfect and the knives he made for me were perfect !
Good Collecting !
Jocko
 
I can think of two such knives and makers I have delt with just this year . The first is Bill Buxton ( Buxton Knives ) I had wanted a Bird and Trout knife made to a certain spec for a while , Bill made the knife just as I wanted and it is my constant companion . The next maker is Ron Leuschen ( Little Hen Knives , hope I spelled that right ) He just made me an Integral that I have been after for some time , I will openly admit it has a strong Fowler influence to it from my part but from tip to tail it is just as I had it in my head and as we put it in the drawings . I delight in finding makers who will take your input and temper it with their knowledge and ability to make the knife you have wanted to own . I truly think that is the difference in Handmade and Handmade Custom for that particular client . I have a knife on order from Mike Snody that was developed in some what of the same manner . Great thread by the way..
 
My 1st knife was made by Ken & Paula Largin (Kelgin Knives) - pleased with the craftsmanship and the good communications. The 2nd knife idea is with Rob Davidson (Rocket Knives) - could be Christmas in July? My 3rd idea is again in the mail to Kelgin Knives after Ken said he'd love to do another!
I have a question: Do you draw your ideas "free-hand" or use a computer program? I've been doing mine in spreadsheet, printing it and making any curves with a French or flexible curve. I get as much enjoyment out of designing my "dream knife" as seeing the finished knife.
Keith - I bet when that knife is done & in your hands, it will feel like Christmas!
Jocko - ...good collecting... I'm tryin; I'm tryin!! You do the same.
Jerry - There definitely seems to be a lot of makers out there willing to turn our "dreams / nightmares" into reality - nothing but praise to all.

I can't post any photos (no camera or scanner) but maybe we can get some other photos posted? Take care & enjoy the 'blades; I know I will!
 
Clyde:

I'd like to see how the Davidson knife turns out. I've always been curious about his stuff. Will it be a folder?

Our own Ferret has helped me out with an idea I had. It should be here by the middle of next month. If everything works out, there may be another one to follow. It's fun but very nerve-wracking!

I usually draw out the outline -- sort of a "blank" -- then I do the grinds and bevel after I scan it to file.

Zero
 
Zero-

The knife that Rob is working on is a fixed blade. I like the looks of Rob's knives and will start saving for one of his folders - probably the Folding Hunter or Scorpion.
When the new knife is in my hands, I'll take some non-digital camera photos & see if I can get them to you. Who knows - maybe somewhere along the line I'll borrow a digital & try to figure out how to post pix? I'm really computer illiterate! Take care.
 
Over the last several years I've "evolved" from purchasing already made knives to working with makers from the concept stage to finished project. Attached is a photo of one of "several" I helped design and Ron Leuchen made for me. He is really easy to work with as already pointed out. Since Ron is also an avid hunter you also get a knife that doesn't simply look good it performs superably.

The attached photo accurately represents blade coloring. It is not blued and that is not a grind line...it's the hamon.
 

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RifRaf -
Congratulations on one fine knife! I've entered Ron Leuschen's name in my knifemaker file - I like that knife! How about some more info...is that a copper bolster? How about the handle material?
 
Clydetz: Ron named this design the "Recurve Hunter". Here are the Spec's:

Overall Length: 7.50"
Blade Length: 3.375"
Blade Grind: Flat
Blade Metallurgy: Forged O-1 (clay hardened)
Guard: Copper
Handle: Maple Burl with Buffalo Horn insert and black & white fibre spacers and a moasic pin.

The knife is incrediably light. The blade accounts for most of the weight...just the way I like it. The knife was delivered (literally) razor sharp and ready to use.


I'll post a picture of a Bird & Trout design in Damascus that Ron and I collaborated on.

If you're serious about commissioning a knife from Ron, I'd do it soon. He is very talented and although he recently turned to knife making full time, I'm sure his deliveries will go out as word gets out about his skill.
 
Here is another RifRaf/Ron Leuschen collaboration..this time in Damascus. Ron constantly pushes the envelope with his knife making.
 

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Jerry & RifRaf -

After viewing RifRaf's knife - "Recurve Hunter", I checked out Ron Leuschen's Little Hen Knives website. Needless to say , I will be contacting Ron shortly with some questions and probable order. Hope I don't wind up with to many "irons in the fire"! Thanks for your input - much appreciated!
 
WOW! thanks for the great words guys!
Look what happens when a guy has a computer melt down, people just start talkin about you! lol we had a serious puter melt down, which forced us to buy a new one, and I just got the internet runnin about an hour ago! so if anyone has been trying to get ahold of me via e-mail, I`m sorry if I haven`t returned e-mails, we haven`t had internet for almost a month now!.....let the e-mails flow in now!
Thanks again for the kind words!
 
Ron -
Letter goes in the mail tomorrow. Will call you around 6/15/02 for your input, questions, etc. Have a good one!
Gary
 
Just an update:
Have 3 new knives in the works. They include blades of 440C, M-2, & O-1 (haven't gotten into damascus, yet) with handles of maple burl & stag; 2 with stone inserts (turquoise & maker's choice).
Please take this pen out of my hand - I'm drawing to much - it's getting expensive!
Any other blade ideas being turned into reality??
 
You had to ask!

A new bird & trout design in S30v by Phil Wilson is expected any time.
I don't want to steal Phil's thunder on the new design so I'm not attaching a sketch. This baby is going to Alaska with me in a few weeks for 10 days of nothing but fishing!

I'm also taking a new Phil Wilson 6" filet knife to deal with the larger fish.
 
clydetz, I just realized that you may have sent to the wrong address, hopefully you sent to the new address.
Just to let you know the letter down right of the "S" on my key board failed....so here`s my new address

Bo_ 25 Zelma, Allan, Saskatchewan, Canada, S0K0C0
^ thats the letter.

if you want you can also fa_ me the drawind or what ever you have, if that interests you I can e-mail you the number.

Thanks, and have a good one
 
Ron,
Until you can get the "x" key on your keyboard fixed, or replace the keyboard, you can use an old computer geek trick of the "Alt" key and the numeric representation of the character you want to display.

The sequence for lowercase "x" is: Alt-120
The sequence for uppercase "X" is: Alt-88

For example:
You hold down the "Alt" key on your keyboard, and type "120" on the numeric keypad. When you release the "Alt" key, a lowercase "x" will be displayed.

The numeric keypad is the one with the arrow keys on it, not the numbers at the top of the keyboard. Make sure that the "Num Lock" key on the numeric keypad is off.
 
Having a hand in the design of your knife is a really rewarding experience.
My first 'ordered' custom was a bowie from Bruce Evans. It was a variation of a design that he had made for someone else.
It turned out really well, and better Bruce and I kept in touch.

I work with some Major League Photoshop Guys. I wanted to improve my skills, so I started drawing knives.
With Bruce's and PhilL's encouragement, I started to put more thought into them and started designing knives.
The upshot is a beauty of a blade, forged by Beknives (Bruce Evans).

I didn't give him a blueprint, just a sketch and the elements that I thought essential. It was up to him, as an artist, to sweat the details (size, proportion, etc)!
I love art direction :D

You can see it here: (scroll down a little to see the drawing and the knife together...)

http://www.homestead.com/beknivessite2/ebbtidesartworkbowie.html

A rewarding experience to say the least.
Too bad I can draw them faster than I can afford them :eek:
 
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