Help me decide what kind of handle to do

fast14riot

fast14riot

Joined
Oct 27, 2010
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Ok, this is my 2nd knife from scratch and my first time forging so go easy on me! I have taken some design cues from Don Hanson and Lin Rhea for this one with a bit of my own design as well. I have settled on copper hardware and ebony handle but still not sure about handle style. I left the tang long enough to do a through tang and can cut it down for hidden tang. What do you guys think would look good? I also am trying something different with this, I eliminated the plunge lines and carried the bevels all the way down the ricasso, like a katana. Steel is W-1 and if I can muster up the courage I may clay coat and water quench to try for a hamon. It is at a rough 400# finish now.

2011-07-18234741.jpg


I left the tang roughly 6.5 long so there is enough for whatever is chosen.


-Xander
 
First off, I like the shape of the blade. You took your cues from Don and Lin, but you made it your own.

I suspect you are planing a fighter guard, so I would do a hidden tang handle with two pins.

Round up some silicone bronze and african black wood for next time out.
 
Thank you, I find this shape to be real pleasing to my eye. I was thinking of either a smallish s-guard or a flat disc type. Not too sure what a fighter guard would be. I have some casting bronze, but no way to cast it. I haven't purchased the handle material yet, I just know I want it to be dark/plain with bright hardware and take a nice medium polish not glassy looking. I also like the look of copper when it ages, so that's why I have it in mind. Nothing is set in stone yet, just looking for opinions of people who are much more familiar with bowies and such.

BTW, this blade is 13x1.5x~.28 maybe a little large for a true fighter but we'll see how it feels in hand.


-Xander
 
Thirteen inches! Had me totally fooled.

How about a full profile photo with a ruler next to it?
 
I don't have any on hand, atm. Maybe tonight or tomorrow, the wife wants to go to the fair today so I don't think I will get any time in the shop. I didn't take the best pics if it looks a little off, horrible lighting in the garage.


-Xander
 
are looking for what type of shape, or what type of material?
 
Lorien said:
are looking for what type of shape, or what type of material?
Click to expand...

Mostly what style, I don't know if I should do a hidden tang or a through tang with a pommel. For materials I want black/dark wood with tight grain and copper guard, but nothing has been purchased yet for it. I already have the copper though. I want to finish this one rather than let it sit while I make up my mind.


-Xander
 
Why not trace out the profile of the blade and tang and sketch a few handle / guard designs that you find pleasing? That's how I approach handle design. It's hard to give feedback on a pure abstract. If you had something to show like this:

orig.jpg


orig.jpg


... it would make it easier for people to say what they like or don't. Also, as Peter mentioned, a scale reference would be helpful. I had NO idea I was looking at a 13" blade.

Roger
 
Roger thanx, I have been playing around with sketches but haven't come up with one that just does it for me. I was thinking of bone/horn, but have never worked with hose materials and know that the dust can be harmful like some woods. I do most of my shaping with saw and rasps/files so I don't create a ton of airborn dust.

I know it is a rather vague question, I apologise for that, but was kinda looking for some suggestions from people (like yourself) who are much more familiar with bowies and such. I am still new to this and don't have much experiance with custom knives either. I just try to make what I like to look at.

So far the suggestions I have received here and elswhere are leaning towards hidden tang with a single pin because I eliminated the plunge lines like a Japanese blade and that style handle can be an homage to that style of blade.

I will be sure to post more pics as I get closer to completion.


-Xander
 
if you made a tracing of your blade and mailed it to me, I'd sketch out some handle designs for you and send it back. Just for fun!
 
Lorien said:
if you made a tracing of your blade and mailed it to me, I'd sketch out some handle designs for you and send it back. Just for fun!
Click to expand...

Hmm, a colaboration or sorts would be fun! I'll put together a few line drawings and get back to you for your address. On a side note, I received one of your designs from your PIF that RyanW did for the mini KITH. Looks good in person, too! Something with simple elegance is what I am after, no real embelishment like reeded spacers or file worked guards. Do you care if I scale the drawings down to fit on normal paper? I don't work from templates, so it wouldn't bother me if it wasn't true to scale.


-Xander
 
Dang, that blade looks much smaller in the photos than 13"...:eek:

Thanks much for giving design cue credit! :thumbup:
 
fast14riot said:
Hmm, a colaboration or sorts would be fun! I'll put together a few line drawings and get back to you for your address. On a side note, I received one of your designs from your PIF that RyanW did for the mini KITH. Looks good in person, too! Something with simple elegance is what I am after, no real embelishment like reeded spacers or file worked guards. Do you care if I scale the drawings down to fit on normal paper? I don't work from templates, so it wouldn't bother me if it wasn't true to scale.


-Xander
Click to expand...

cool, I'd love to help out!
Here's a design I did a couple years ago with a blade about the length of yours. I've learned a fair deal since then wrt design, but thought this might launch an idea or two;
sketchins2010002.jpg
 
That's a nice design, but I do like more of a fighter type handle rather than the chopper style you have drawn there. Maybe its just the drop on the spine side of the butt, idk.

Lorien, you can email me at fast14riot@gmail.com so we can continue this. I may also be able to scan a drawing and email it to you if I can figure out my wifes scanner...


-Xander
 
Ok, well they say you have no control over where your inspiration comes from, I guess they're right. I am sitting at a job site and was scribbling some designs out and found one I like. Let me know what you think. Sorry for the bad image taken from my phone and sloppy sketch, but you get the idea...

2011-07-21132800.jpg


And not to scale, but with a rough idea of blade and handle
2011-07-21134027.jpg




Lorien, I am still interested in working with you. This is just the best I have yet.


-Xander
 
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I think that handle design suits the bade style well. Maybe a little deeper/broader in the back?
 
Thanx Ted. Are you talking about more swell on the butt of the handle, looking from the top?


-Xander
 
No - more swell if you're looking from the side. Maybe not curve down so much at the top. Does that make sense?
 
Gottit. Looks good, I had noticed the drop and was planning on straightening it a bit. Again this is a 30 second sketch, I will try to refine it further and make more sketches.


-Xander
 
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