Help with knife design/layout

[quint]

So I am trying to work on my first knife from scratch using some of aldos 1080 in 5/16" thickness. I cut from my stock enough to get three blades at once. My first attempt at the initial design which is pictured first, I screwed up the grind on this one but will try and finish it out just to get the practice. I have one more section to attempt another one of the exact same design which hopefully will go better.

My main question is the extra piece of steel I have it came out in a odd shape and I was thinking of going with a design which would take more advantage of the amount of metal on it. I colored in the idea for the outline and darkened in a possible bolster (that is just a initial thought will probably change), I am more interested in what you guys think of the knife design layout and areas that would be better altered to improve the design.

 

[knifemaking01]

knives look cool, other then maybe a bit thicker handle in the second one its wicked, i was a tad bored so i came up with another design you could work with hope you dont mind, i dont think my edited one would work anyway, the tip would probably be a weak point

 

[quint]

Thats a cool design thanks. I dont think the tip would be a worry depending on how thin I filed the blade down too. Your design has better flow I think, much smoother looking.

I made a mistake in the steel its 1084 and is 3/16 not 5/16, Ive got some L6 that is 5/16 but am saving that for a different design later on.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

What I do with a cut out piece like that is start with the blade and then make it flow from there. Don't try and draw a knife on the steel and cut it out, let the steel design the knife for you. Just remove all the metal that does not look like a knife.

I would first round the edge into a shape that seems right. If in doubt, leave it with more belly....you can always take more off later. The piece you have will need almost nothing to round the edge up to the top corner and make a nice edge shape.

Then shape the spine into the handle and get a good flow. Dropping the tip and butt often helps make an awkward looking spine have better flow. Since that piece has a flat area going to the tip, make it a swedge. You may decide to drop the tip and make a clip from it later, or even curve the clip, but for now, just let it be straight. I would smooth the rest of the spine into the handle and not round the butt.
Shape the bottom of the handle and transition it into the blade. Go slow, as small changes can make a big difference in look and feel. On the piece of steel you have this is pretty much good as it is.
Shape the butt last, shortening the handle as needed to get a balanced look. On your piece, I would leave it flat with the angle as it is. Just slightly round the corners.

There is usually a good bit of refinement in the blade shape after the basic shaping steps are done, so always leave some metal for later removal.

Now, grip the knife and see where you want to change things.

My good friend Paul Simon said -
There are 50 ways to be a knife lover:
Just Drop the tip, Rick?
Make it a clip, Slick?
Round off the butt, Chuck?
( Don't take of too much !)
Shorter or thinner handle, Randall ?
More pointy blade, Rade?
Add a small choil, Boyle?
(Are you listenin' to me?)
Does it fit your hand, Adrian
Is it too long, John?
Curve the spine more, Seymour?
(I bet your gettin' it, now)
Grip it and see, Lee.
Does it feel right, Mike?
Is it clumsy, Chumlee?
( That's enough for now).........

 

[quint]

The finer tips of blade making, thanks Bladsmith.

One question as I am learning knife terminology but am still very new to this, the swedge is the same as a false edge correct. Basically at the top of the blade it would be another grind going from tip to point determined by the piece of steel or the maker.

EDIT looked on Jay Fisher's site and he has a really good definition and description of the swedge (or the multiple other ways of saying it). Thanks again.

 

[quint]

Well here is what I have come up with so far. Feels pretty good atleast for me (large hands). Any suggestions for the continuing effort.

 

[knifemaking01]

looks fine and dandy to me, its the purist you need to convince

maybe the handle isnt as proportioned to the blade though but heck if you got big hands and its for you and feels comfortable i would leave it