Got a custom idea....need some help though

[crazyengineer]

Funny, when I was a teen, I used to day dream about how cool my Ka-Bar would be with a longer blade! Narrow bladed choppers may not be the ideal design for choppers, but they are fun and they can still perform pretty well. I have a few "Waki" style choppers that I think do great.

Hey, looking at the size and shape of your blade there reminded me a little of this custom "sword/machete" I saw on ytube, I believe it was made by Justin Gingrich....

[youtube]IyLZa4b9kHQ&feature=relmfu[/youtube]
[youtube]fVyj6GtT6Z8[/youtube]

i saw that while looking for a production blade that would fit my design closely...then realized I couldn't find one (except mall ninja stuff)

so i designed my own

 

[res1cue]

ok, what kind of scales would be good for vibration absorption?

oh, i am leaning toward the handle on the leaft, Labeled "B"
if that makes any difference

Maybe micarta? Or kraton/santoprene rubbery sort of grip. I am no fixed blade guru, so I couldn't definitively recommend something to you, but I do know it can be an issue.

As for "B" grip.. the only issue I see is that it doesn't "look" like it offers much grip retention.. Especially for a big heavy chopper that will be tip-heavy.. so maybe you could think of adding a subhilt, or that pinky curve thing similar to the one you have in "A" (I have no idea what it is called). And at minimum a lanyard hole I would think..

again though, YMMV and this is your baby, so ultimately go with what you want and not what people tell you on BF

 

[Bill1170]

ok, what kind of scales would be good for vibration absorption?

oh, i am leaning toward the handle on the leaft, Labeled "B"
if that makes any difference

For vibration absorption, rubber like Kraton and Santoprene are good. In natural materials, cork and stacked birch bark are both good. Stacked leather is good if it is not all dried out. A full tang knife with scales will transmit more shock to the hand than a stick tang with the handle material fully enclosing the tang. Stick tangs can be made full length and very strong while still fitting inside the handle material. The critical area is where the tang meets the ricasso. This transition needs to be smoothly radiused to prevent a major stress riser.

 

[crazyengineer]

i will put a lanyard hole in whatever design in end up with, i was thinking about using "B" handle with something added to the hilt,

i was also thinking about leather scales or stacked leather. if i go with stacked leather, i am gonna make the handle round, put a slight flair at the end and change the guard with the design, probably make it more rounded out, maybe curved a little even.
i do want to stay with the 8 inch handle though

 

[BryFry]

Also, who would be the best bet for me for having this made?

i saw that while looking for a production blade that would fit my design closely...then realized I couldn't find one (except mall ninja stuff)

so i designed my own

Yep, I got that. I was trying to help answer your question of which maker would be a good choice to consider. I figured since Justin did such a good job making this custom, which is very similar to your rendered design, he may be someone you may want to run your idea across.

I'm sure he could suggest some steel and handle options as well. :thumbup: