Hollow Handle Knife Strength Test

[Sam Wilson]

That sounds like a good idea. After I knock the new off this knife a little more, I wouldnt mind doing a pass-around. I've just seen so many of them go bad, even when nobody means any harm. Guys keep it too long, ship to it to the wrong address, or just trouble deciding who gets to be on the "list." I think its time to hit the grinder and make some more knives. I think I will do either 6 1/2" or 7 1/2" versions of this and the Model 2 in the next batch. Appeal to the guys that arent "big knife guys."

 

[stvpourciau]

That sounds like a good idea. After I knock the new off this knife a little more, I wouldnt mind doing a pass-around. I've just seen so many of them go bad, even when nobody means any harm. Guys keep it too long, ship to it to the wrong address, or just trouble deciding who gets to be on the "list." I think its time to hit the grinder and make some more knives. I think I will do either 6 1/2" or 7 1/2" versions of this and the Model 2 in the next batch. Appeal to the guys that arent "big knife guys."

:thumbup:

Any idea what you're going to ask for them once you get that knife makers membership?

 

[Sam Wilson]

Yeah, I know what I'm gonna charge, and it's very competitive with all the other guys prices who make these type of knives, especially if you count the extra items I include. I checked with the mods, and I dont want to start any problems, so I wont post anything about pricing here until I get a paying membership.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Hey Carbon. I looove your knife! It's a great looking knife, I'm excited to see what you come up with next.

My only problem with my current hollow handle knife is that I can't really figure out what to put in there. I mean really valuable items.

One other thing, if you could post pics along with the videos that would be nice. Sometimes when I'm at work I have crappy service and can't watch videos.

 

[Sam Wilson]

Hey Carbon. I looove your knife! It's a great looking knife, I'm excited to see what you come up with next.

My only problem with my current hollow handle knife is that I can't really figure out what to put in there. I mean really valuable items.

One other thing, if you could post pics along with the videos that would be nice. Sometimes when I'm at work I have crappy service and can't watch videos.

No problem, man. Thanks for the compliments. I think I put the link at the beginning of this thread, but here it is again: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...le-quot-Survival-quot-Knife-What-do-you-think

That is the link to the thread where I put all the pics and info about the knife. You can also see pics on my facebook, Wilson Custom Knives. If you haven't seen it in the last few days, I just put up pics of Model 2. If you like hollow handled knives, I think you're gonna like this. :thumbup:

Here is a preview:

Yep, that's a hollow handled knife, with a micarta handle.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Oh snap (yes I just said oh snap ) model 2 is sweet! You really did a great job on that blade! Congrats.

Sorry, I totally (obviously) missed the link.

How did you do the micarta handle? I understand if you want to keep that under wraps... But if not, is it a sleeve? Or do you trust the micarta as being strong enough? When you think about it, a round shape is extremely strong. Crushing an egg in your hand (without applying a pressure point) is proof of that.

Again, great work!

 

[stvpourciau]

Hey Carbon. I looove your knife! It's a great looking knife, I'm excited to see what you come up with next.

My only problem with my current hollow handle knife is that I can't really figure out what to put in there. I mean really valuable items.

One other thing, if you could post pics along with the videos that would be nice. Sometimes when I'm at work I have crappy service and can't watch videos.

Lots of water resistant matches, dryer lint, fish line, split shot sinkers, fish hooks, needle, I keep the striker portion of Matchboxes in there too..

 

[Sam Wilson]

Oh snap (yes I just said oh snap ) model 2 is sweet! You really did a great job on that blade! Congrats.

Sorry, I totally (obviously) missed the link.

How did you do the micarta handle? I understand if you want to keep that under wraps... But if not, is it a sleeve? Or do you trust the micarta as being strong enough? When you think about it, a round shape is extremely strong. Crushing an egg in your hand (without applying a pressure point) is proof of that.

Again, great work!

Oh snap is right, lol. Thanks, man. I love big bowies, too. I made Model 1 to be, what I would consider, all about practicality. Strong tip, enough weight and size to be a good chopper/dig with if necessary, practical stonewash finish, etc. Model 2 was a little more about what I like to see in a blade. And I love bowies with a curve, both in the clip, and toward the guard.

To answer your question about the micarta handle, no, there's nothing secret about it. There have been too many people share freely with me on this site alone to do that. I did a micarta wrap on the handle, and then shaped it like you see in the illustration in the other thread. I find it gives very positive retention in the hand, alleviates any rolling that might take place, and is more comfortable than knurled metal or even cord wrap. I am thoroughly impressed with it so far.

As far as trusting it, the stainless steel handle is contoured beneath it, so even if it ever broke the resin bond loose, it couldn't spin. And the steel ring near the buttcap is fitted tightly against it, so it cant slide off. I would be hard pressed to imagine a scenario where significant damage occurred through normal use, or even abuse to destroy it, although anything is possible. In short, I'm pretty pleased with it.

Here's the fit between the micarta and the steel ring on the handle:

I need to get a better pic, but you can see it's custom fitted on there for no gaps.

Thanks for the input, I enjoy everyone's feedback. :thumbup:

Sam

 

[EdgyGator]

Good videos, and you make a solid knife. Thanks.

 

[Sam Wilson]

Good videos, and you make a solid knife. Thanks.

Thank you. I think with hollow handled knives you've got to go a little above and beyond "average strength" to consider it a success. Hopefully I've done that here. Another option I've added is one I've done on my personal knife, is a thin layer of micarta on the handle, shape it, and then cord wrap over it. This gives you the best of both worlds. A more traditional handle shape, insulates your hands against heat/cold and shock, makes the handle size customizable to pretty much whatever thickness you want, and if you ever need to remove the cord wrap for an emergency or whatever, you still have a comfortable handle on the knife. I'm really liking it so far. Thanks again,

Sam

 

[tknife]

Very cool videos. The design is great, it reminds me of the Parrish survival knife. I will definitely follow along with you as you start putting some up for sale. :thumbup:

 

[Omega Leather Works]

I agree about the sharing of information. I've learned so much about knife maintenance and making here over the years.

Your micarta handle sounds like an excellent idea, very practical. I don't really like the cold feel of my current hollow handle. Transfers a lot of shock when batoning (don't really do much of that anyway, also while chopping. Maybe I'll consider doing something similar on mine.

 

[Sam Wilson]

Very cool videos. The design is great, it reminds me of the Parrish survival knife. I will definitely follow along with you as you start putting some up for sale. :thumbup:

Thanks, tknife. I really like the option of having video as a medium nowadays. Sometimes 30 seconds of video can show more than dozens of pictures, and brings the viewer along for the ride a little more. I appreciate the compliments about the design. As far as Robert Parrish's survival knife, I have never had the opportunity to hold one, but from what I can tell by the pictures, he was all about stripping away anything superfluous, and getting down to solid performance. I respect that greatly, and he made a very fine knife. That is one of the reasons I haven't offered a sawback as an option, yet. I probably will one day, since I've gotten requests about them, but even the effective ones, people in general just don't use them that much. I think a lot of people want it on there just because it looks "cool" or they think that's what makes a "survival knife" a survival knife.

Don't get me wrong, I've had them on several knives, and when I've had them, I've used them. And I mean no disrespect to those users that truly want the sawback for their own reasons. There have been a few times when I didn't have one, and wished I had, but that was the exception, not the rule. That's just me. When I get around to coming up with a design that works reasonably well, I will offer it as an option. I have gotten orders for these knives through my Facebook page and YouTube channel, and I should have a website in the next month or so. I still plan on getting a knifemaker's membership here, but there is so much involved in making them that I am only making them to order right now, as opposed to making one, and hoping it sells on the exchange. Thanks again.

I agree about the sharing of information. I've learned so much about knife maintenance and making here over the years.

Your micarta handle sounds like an excellent idea, very practical. I don't really like the cold feel of my current hollow handle. Transfers a lot of shock when batoning (don't really do much of that anyway, also while chopping. Maybe I'll consider doing something similar on mine.

Thanks, Strigamort. I have found it very comfortable for all the abovementioned reasons. I think I mentioned this earlier, but I have done two where I put a thin layer of micarta on the handle, and then cord wrap it. That kind of gives you the best of both worlds, and if you ever take off the cord wrap, you've still got a comfortable handle. Good luck on your knife, I think you'll like it.

Sam Wilson :thumbup:

 

[stvpourciau]

Glad to see that interest In this knife is still going strong.

 

[Sam Wilson]

Glad to see that interest In this knife is still going strong.

Thanks, stv. Here's something fresh to look at. This is fresh off the grinder. I'm getting a batch ready for heat treat right now, and wanted to throw in a smaller, lighter version. I still have to do final fitting on this one, it's just mocked up with the handle and guard to see what it looks like. I want to get some opinions on it. The blade is approx. 5 3/4" long, with my standard handle length. It's 1/4" 5160, and it's about 1 and 1/2"-5/8" wide or so. What do you guys think?

Hit me. :thumbup:

 

[stvpourciau]

WOW, me likes!!!!

I don't know what it is about me but I just feel more at home with knife in that size range and the stubbier the design the better.

I like everything about that knife.

Some guys would like it clipped for a cleaner look but not me.

Short little wide blades are just amazing work horses.

Thanks for putting work like this out on the Market.

It seems like it sharpened way down low to the grip too, plunge cut?, so that negates the need for a choil.

Nice can we get a video of it doing real close up fine work down there by the guard?

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Why did you choose 1/4"?

Something that short I'd prefer 1/8",but I get that you're not going for Mora territory. Still, while I like the short blade, I think it would be cool (and a natural fit) to come up with a scandi bushcrafty blade. The improved micarta handle, plus some storage just seems right to me. I'm a bit of an odd duck though.

Keep up the good work!

 

[Sam Wilson]

WOW, me likes!!!!

I don't know what it is about me but I just feel more at home with knife in that size range and the stubbier the design the better.

I like everything about that knife.

Some guys would like it clipped for a cleaner look but not me.

Short little wide blades are just amazing work horses.

Thanks for putting work like this out on the Market.

It seems like it sharpened way down low to the grip too, plunge cut?, so that negates the need for a choil.

Nice can we get a video of it doing real close up fine work down there by the guard?

Thanks, stv. I agree with you, drop points are very handy, strong blade designs. And yes, you are correct, the plunge line is very close to the guard, so there is no need for a choil. I figured for a knife this size, I didn't want any wasted space, so I tried to maximize the length of the cutting edge. As soon as this one gets back from heat treat, I will get a video up, showing it action. I think it will be very effective. Thanks again. :thumbup:

Why did you choose 1/4"?

Something that short I'd prefer 1/8",but I get that you're not going for Mora territory. Still, while I like the short blade, I think it would be cool (and a natural fit) to come up with a scandi bushcrafty blade. The improved micarta handle, plus some storage just seems right to me. I'm a bit of an odd duck though.

Keep up the good work!

I used 1/4" because of the fact that it's a hollow handle knife. Ordinarily I would agree with you, that 1/4" is too big. But given the fact that it's a hollow handle, I wanted to make sure there were no strength concerns. With the full flat grind, though, I believe it will still cut very effectively. I tend to grind my knives a little thinner, for cutting performance, and I don't think that will be an issue here. But we will see for sure when it's completed.

At some point, I will probably make a scandi/bushcraft style blade. I wanted to do some of my other designs first, and then get into more conventional knives. Don't worry, it's coming, lol. Thanks again for the input, Strigamort. :thumbup:

 

[tknife]

I like that shorter one quite a bit! I always liked the large chopper sized hollow handles, but something smaller would see much more use I think. I always pictured something this size, or even in a 4" blade as a hiker or backpackers survival knife. Nice and compact, so it will be on your belt without noticing it.

Strigamorts idea is great too, as thinner stock would help to lighten it up along with being better for stuff like carving and food prep. I know that goes against the old school survival knife, but would be a cool option!

 

[shaving sharp]

I like the size but I think the tip should have been left a little higher. More of a drop point and less of a spear point but I am not a fan of the spear point grind.