Going to slow down and start small.

B

bigboysbushcraft

Joined
Oct 8, 2014
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I am going to start small I was thinking of a small edc blade 2 finger knife thingy. I am not cutting anything yet going to keep looking at this and trying to get ideas. I have a small piece of 5160 I was going to try and make a small knife this is just brain storming at the moment. Just let me know the blacked out areas are where I would remove metal. I figure get some use out of the scrap metal.


GEDC1145.jpg
 
I find small knives to be best with a gentle arc going along the entire spine to match the natural curvature of the guiding finger. I'd reshape the handle and drop the point a bit.
 
good point yeah I am tweaking this some more looking to see whats going to fit in the hand good first and then going from there

GEDC1147.jpg
 
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Bigboy - STOP!

Just stop. You said your were going to slow down.... all of nine hours ago. Take your own advice.

The knife you are proposing to make there SUCKS(both versions). It looks like you just want use as much steel as you can, not make a knife that works.

Lay the piece of steel aside for a day or so. Do a few searches here on "three finger knife", read the stickies you've been asked - repeatedly - to read, draw your knife on a piece of cardboard then transfer that to a scrap piece of 3/4" plywood. Cut that out, shape it a bit and see how it feels in your hand. Then modify that, several times, until you have it right.

Good luck and have fun.

-Peter
 
Yeah I was just using the steel itself as a template as I was not cutting anything yet. I am going to go grab my paint sticks and start drawing some more. This was just a scrap piece of 5160 that was taken out of the handle for that other knife. No cutting involved :) dry erase on the metal was pretty easy lol
 
Here's a little knife I made a while back. I'm not saying it's the best design out there but it is more functional than the 2 you drew up. Definitely put a pencil to paper and start drawing. You will start to get more of a feeling for good deigns that way. When you find a couple that look good, then transfer them to your paint sticks.

 
Sorry, don't get hung up on the rasp. Just think about shape and design. Best to use known steel.
 
yeah I am just trying to make use of a small piece of 5160 that was left over from another project. Its hard just starting out and trying not to copy or even come close to copying other peoples work.

I understand people take pride into developing there style. Some of the stuff I am drawing look to close to other peoples work so I am mentally discarding it. I think this may be my biggest issue. I need to accept the fact that I will not come up with something awesome first go around and just try and keep it simple.
 
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The verbal diahrea has started again. Are you accepting any advise at all? Have you read even more than a line or two of the stickies? Frank
 
Frank I think he is trying to come up with original designs. It's OK to make something that looks like other makers knives IMO when you are starting out.

Google image drop point hunter. Start with that. Trying to come up with an entirely original work before you have experience is how new makers make crazy looking knives. (I'm new too).

Go with something tried and true. In the stickies there are patterns.
 
BigBoy - You have been given advice by well experienced makers and offers for help. You haven't listened to any of them. You say you want to slow down and get things right....well do that.

Take a pad of paper and a pencil and DRAW some knives.

Put all your steel and tools in a box for now and set it on a shelf. Only draw knife sketches on paper for now. Post your favorite shapes and ask for critique. But, even before you make a drawing, look at a lot of knives in The Gallery and The Exchange. These are the shapes of knives. You are not "copying" anyone's knife if you use a knife shape to make a knife. (BTW - You can go on eBay and purchase a DVD with 1000's of knife profiles and patterns for $10.)

I will again suggest you make a basic knife shape....a drop point hunter. Make one with a 3" blade and a 4" handle. That will make a very useful and attractive knife.

Don't draw it on any steel until it is fully worked out on paper. As I offered before, I will be glad to cut the final shape out for you in good steel and send it to you.

If you just want to rush ahead and tell everyone here that you know what you are doing and don't need any help, well....have a nice day.

I will sit back and see what you decide to do. Feel free to email me if you wish.
 
So something like this? I like the curve to the knife I just have never used one but I do see alot of people making them. This is actually the drawing I just did to see how it looks.
GEDC1149.jpg
 
Much better.
Round off that pointed tip on the butt, and switch to three rivets. I would also suggest you leave off the jimping.
 
Yeah was thinking the same thing. I want to stay away from any sharp angles where only the epoxy is going to be able to hold on the scales or is to thin and breaks off.

GEDC1150.jpg
 
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