Help design a hiking/cooking/fighting knife.

[kyturkey]

Blade Length- I think 5 to 5 1/2" would be a good size range for your described use, maybe on up to 6". You can make a bigger knife do smaller tasks easier, than if the blades too short. (not sure that thought came across well, hopefully you get the idea)

Blade Shape- 1 1/2" wide stock should get you the desired shape without being too wide. Try drawing the blade shape at the length you want, and see if it generates the handle clearance your after. After drawing it up, and doing a cutout you might find you can get away with 1 1/4" stock.

Handle- I think your on the right track with at least 4", might want to go a little longer. After you decide on a blade length proportion the handle to fit. Use that cutout to try different grips and see if the handle needs tweaking any. I think with the brass pins, wood would be the way to go, of course that's personal preference on looks. I like walnut, ebony, osage, and mqqn's snakewood looks rather nice.

Blade thickness- I think I'd go with 1/8" given the size you want and tasks. The 3/32" is tempting as long as the edge doesn't get too thin, since you want to baton wood with it also. I do like the thinner blades for kitchen duty.

None of that probably helped, but since you asked.

It is fun designing what you want, and I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

 

[kyturkey]

Looks like it will fill your intended task. I like the durability of micarta, but wood has a nice warm look to it.

 

[Mack]

I like it. I don't think that will disappoint at all.

 

[mykel m]

I'd round the top of the butt a bit & add either red or orange liners,other than that.. it looks like it'll do as a great all a'rounder.

 

[Shotgun]

Okay did some adjustments. I made it a little smaller, rounded off the butt of the handle and brought the blade all the way back on the "guard." I'm thinking I like this better. The one concern I have is the thinness of the tip. The way the grind is and the shape of the belly, I'm thinking it's going to be too delicate. So I'm leaning towards dropping the thickness to 3/32" and doing a scandivex on it. Not sure yet but I'm leaning that way. I'm going to cut a cardboard version of it tonight and see how it feels in hand.

 

[Shotgun]

Those measurements are off on it. It's 5" blade and about 4 1/4" handle.

 

[bdmicarta]

This is the next bun in the oven for me.
Going to try to make this one myself, but may end up sending it to John to finish.

Somewhat similar to what you asked for.

Looks reasonable to me too. I was going to mention the Becker BK5 but that might not be a good thing to do in somebody else's forum so I won't do it.

 

[JK Knives]

Looks reasonable to me too. I was going to mention the Becker BK5 but that might not be a good thing to do in somebody else's forum so I won't do it.

Kind of looks like you did anyway, no problem with me, I`m confident mine would do anything just as well as it.

 

[Shotgun]

Looks reasonable to me too. I was going to mention the Becker BK5 but that might not be a good thing to do in somebody else's forum so I won't do it.

I had one for 2 seconds. The choil, the large size, and the fact that it was bent turned me off of it. I also want something a little better then 1095. I find that when I carve hardwood that I want something that holds it's edge a bit longer.

Edit: ...and the obtuse edge grind and the coating and the plastic handles and the sheath sucked. Really, there was nothing about it that I liked other then the tanto-ish look about it.

 

[cbwoods67]

That looks great, Shotgun. Extremely useful.

Can't wait to see it come to life.:thumbup:

 

[Mack]

Kind of looks like you did anyway, no problem with me, I`m confident mine would do anything just as well as it.

I've got a BK-5 and a JK Cutlass and I will agree with you John. The biggest difference is that your handles are more comfortable in my hands. The Becker handles are a little too cramped for my med/large hand. If you have wide hands they will be very uncomfortable.
John's handles are near perfect.

 

[Shotgun]

Alright, I'm not content with my designs so I broke down and ordered a Kephart this morning. I think my needs are similar to what his and nessmuk's were. Big surprise right? I went with the Kephart over the muk because it seems like it would be a better whittler. Now the wait begins.

 

[JK Knives]

Alright, I'm not content with my designs so I broke down and ordered a Kephart this morning. I think my needs are similar to what his and nessmuk's were. Big surprise right? I went with the Kephart over the muk because it seems like it would be a better whittler. Now the wait begins.

I thought your name sounded familiar in the email!

 

[bdmicarta]

I had one for 2 seconds. The choil, the large size, and the fact that it was bent turned me off of it. I also want something a little better then 1095. I find that when I carve hardwood that I want something that holds it's edge a bit longer. Edit: ...and the obtuse edge grind and the coating and the plastic handles and the sheath sucked. Really, there was nothing about it that I liked other then the tanto-ish look about it.

I entered my earlier post sort of tongue in cheek but I think there are good points about the overall shape of the BK5 and the smaller version BK15. But this is the point of JK and his forum- he can fine tune designs to be more what his users want, he can use a grind to suits him and he can make them with better materials than the lower cost production knife.

 

[Shotgun]

I thought your name sounded familiar in the email!

You have a good memory. Still use the little red handled anniversary edc I bought from time to time. I think I'll be using it for food prep from now til febuary until I get my Kephart fix. The little guy still reings as the best handle contouring I've seen on a knife that size. And I've had a few other customs in that size.

I entered my earlier post sort of tongue in cheek but I think there are good points about the overall shape of the BK5 and the smaller version BK15. But this is the point of JK and his forum- he can fine tune designs to be more what his users want, he can use a grind to suits him and he can make them with better materials than the lower cost production knife.

No sweat. Believe me I looked long and hard at both of those knives. There were just too many nit picky things that added up to a no go on both.

 

[mykel m]

Okay did some adjustments. I made it a little smaller, rounded off the butt of the handle and brought the blade all the way back on the "guard." I'm thinking I like this better. The one concern I have is the thinness of the tip. The way the grind is and the shape of the belly, I'm thinking it's going to be too delicate. So I'm leaning towards dropping the thickness to 3/32" and doing a scandivex on it. Not sure yet but I'm leaning that way. I'm going to cut a cardboard version of it tonight and see how it feels in hand.

Alright, I'm not content with my designs so I broke down and ordered a Kephart this morning. I think my needs are similar to what his and nessmuk's were. Big surprise right? I went with the Kephart over the muk because it seems like it would be a better whittler. Now the wait begins.

Sorry I'm late to post this,but I'd a liked to see the one you drew up with a scandi grind.

Can't go wrong with a Kephart though.

 

[daniel4572]

Got this one a while back and using the hell out of it. It totally doesnt look like this anymore. Its now carried in kydex by Mike Billman Survival Sheaths. The 5 in blade works great for everything. Also having a training blade made off of same design!!
Just shipped it back to John for some spa treatment!!