[Help] Please roast my bowie knife

[MolokaiRider]

Knife looks great!

 

[Tony Mont]

The knife looks really good and the execution is great, nice job!

With that being said, what I'd like to see is a bit narrower ricasso and a little different shape on the handle (similar to the picture bellow). Personally, I like the ricasso to be less than 30mm. Around 25mm-28mm feels better in my hand and makes the knife look "faster" (in my opinion).
Again, really nice job and I can't wait to see the next one!
View attachment 2376406

 

[pafka]

Awesome stuff, thanks everyone for your thoughts.

the issues appear to be design oriented.
Another thing I notice, when viewed from above, is the rear half of the handle is not symmetrical side to side.

true, I did not notice, thanks. symmetry is a constant struggle for me.

First, the shape as seen from the spine. It looks like poop. I can't remember who said this, but it's good advise, "hold the knife by the blade and then wrap your thumb and index fingers around the handle, if it looks like poo coming out of a butt hole, then you're doing something wrong"

Ever since I read that, I can't help but see poop if handles don't have enough definition.

How to fix it: either flatten the butt end, or add a butt cap or some other feature to delineate the butt from the rest of the handle.

I have seen that advise too! And I try to stick with it, although I apply it to the side profile, not the "top view". I do not want to flatten the butt too much, but the butt cap sounds like a good idea. Or maybe making the pommel nut protrude instead of grinding it flush.

Personally, I like the ricasso to be less than 30mm. Around 25mm-28mm feels better in my hand and makes the knife look "faster" (in my opinion).

that's the stuff! numbers! thanks a lot. will try that. Your knives were among those that started this itch that I am trying to scratch.

 

[pafka]

I guess you all have been waiting anxiously for a conclusion on this story. So here it is.
On the second blade I clipped the ricasso to be about 28 mm in height. Then the big belly in front of the blade looked out of proportion so I reground the blade to get rid of it.
I have not made up my mind about the guard, so I made this simple bolster instead (which I planned anyway).
The handle is only a little bit longer, but it makes a huge difference in the purchase I get.
I still need to clean up some blemishes, properly sharpen the blade and make a retention strap for the sheath. But I could not resist taking some pictures.
I am much happier with this result and thanks for all the suggestions.
(sorry for the uneven brightness / lighting in these pictures, it's Sunday and I'm lazier than usual).

 

[Contender Machine]

That looks wonderful! I like what you did with the bolster. The lines complement each other nicely

 

[pafka]

Thank you!

 

[Fred.Rowe]

It's a well thought out knife overall. The handle and the guard are not finished to the point, where they compliment the blade itself. That wood should be screaming, " look @ me"
The bottom of the ricasso would look more @ home if it had more curve as it intersects the back of the cutting edge.
For me, this area of a knife, is both the hardest to get right and the easiest to screw up.
If my comments have caused you to reject this fine knife, I'll PM you my address and I promise to keep the blade sharp. Regards, Fred

 

[pafka]

Thanks for your comments, Fred. I'm sure the finish of the wood could be better. I sanded progressively from 150 to 800, did "water pops" at 240/320, and then sanding with danish oil at 600/800. Then a light buff (heavier buff gave me the "orange peel" effect) and few coats of danish oil. The wood is supposed to be stabilized burl, though it does not feel like it is stabilized a lot. What would you do differently, or what do you see as an issue? Would you go to a higher grit? Use some sealer for the pores? Thanks.

 

[D Bloch]

I really like this, the finish on the wood too but I'm a sucker for satin finishes in general

 

[Fred.Rowe]

Thanks for your comments, Fred. I'm sure the finish of the wood could be better. I sanded progressively from 150 to 800, did "water pops" at 240/320, and then sanding
I've found that burnishing, using the edge of a hard piece of 12 ounce leather helps a lot in both pulling the burl pattern of the wood out and also smoothing the surface before adding the finish coat. " Bare down hard." Fred

 

[12345678910]

The point where the top of the guard meets the handle, the handle is fat.
It catches the eye, I don't know how you would fix it, but it sticks out to me.