Handle shape advice

L

lanternnate

Joined
Nov 5, 2016
Messages
378
Looking for folks thoughts on the best direction to go with the shaping the front of the handle for this knife. I forged it aiming for a bird and trout. It’s maybe a bit big for that classification (OAL about 8”), but I’m liking how it turned out anyways. I’m going to attempt my first two material scales for it using a combo of red/black g10 and rosewood. I’m struggling deciding which way to go for shape on the front. I’ve sketched up three options and would appreciate input from folks on what is likely to look correct and more importantly look to function well. The bottom sketch is how I’ve typically been doing things, but I’ve also typically done more “egg” shaped handles. This one came off the anvil with some sharper lines. I’ve also typically been very worried about having everything very rounded up front to make a kydex sheath work. I’ve just started playing with leather and that seems more forgiving to more shapes, so I plan to do a leather sheath for this as well. Forget all three and do something else entirely is a valid vote too. Appreciate any feedback.
WBdG5kE.jpg
 
One more vote for the middle one.

If it were me (take it with a teaspoon of salt since I'm new as well) I would give the butt just a tad more angle and make the top just a little bit narrower. Just enough that it adds some taper but not enough to change your grip much. It's worth trying on paper at least.
Great looking knife.
 
Something must have been up with my computer last night, I can see it now.

To me the middle one looks good too, but I think if you were to round the sharp angle at the spine of the blade on the top one, that would also look good.
 
middle, but I would devide the handle differently. Make it look like a bolster and other material.
Have 1/4 of the handle (indexfinger part) one material and 3/4 the other material
 
Middle...and I agree with a shorter front bolster look and longer handle back section. The Top would look good if the joint angle matched the front angle of handle.
 
Middle one, if you can I'd move that scale line closer towards the blade 1/3 - 2/3 radio. A little bit of rounding on the heel of the handle might be good. Corby in the large portion of the handle centered more in the scale if you do the 1/3 - 2/3 handle and a lanyard hole might look good. Just tossing ideas out.
 
Top or middle shape
move the bolster line forward to be about .75-1" wide
angle and add a little taper to the butt
slightly round the corners of the butt
 
I should have asked earlier in the process. I had unfortunately already glued up the scales on the liner by the time I posted this :( I’ll cheat the line as far forward as the material will allow. It won’t be as forward as recommended, but I think I’ll carry on with this one anyway to at least practice the other recommendations. Thank you all for the help!
 
Also taper the two materials into each other like this. Makes for a really nice looking transition.
Photo%20Oct%2013%2C%204%2022%2039%20PM.jpg
 
JT is right - dovetailing the two pieces looks very professional. Should be worth an extra $25. I like the middle pattern.
Tim
 
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