How in the world do they do it?!?!?

O

Only_Solo

Joined
Aug 7, 2011
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Kay I'm sure this is a dumb question, and let me know if it is. But I was wondering... How do all of the blade makers do the geomtry in the blades so well?? How do they get or even know what would be the best balance point for that certain knife that is being made??


Now I'm sure you probably have to be really good at math to do this, and the experiences from doing it for so long. I know thats part of the reason that seperates some of the best makers in the world from everyone else. But I just want to know how do they do it exactly???

:confused: :confused: :confused:

Lets say I come up with a design of a knife, could I send it to someone to perfect the geometry and overall design?? Or is that something you have to do while designing the piece?? Please help...
 
It's called Research and development, and or tons of testing.

Lots of things happen before a knife is released.
 
Are you talking about the actual blade grind and geometry? Or the overall design of the knife such as pivot placement etc.? 3D CAD programs help a lot. It let's you design, tweak, and modify the design without leaving the computer. Of course a lot fixed blade custom makers just start making a knife and make minor adjustments as they go.
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
Are you talking about the actual blade grind and geometry? Or the overall design of the knife such as pivot placement etc.? 3D CAD programs help a lot. It let's you design, tweak, and modify the design without leaving the computer. Of course a lot fixed blade custom makers just start making a knife and make minor adjustments as they go.
Click to expand...

Well actually I'm kinda talking about both really. I was wondering because you see alot of very similar designs in knives, but the one that was made by some one who really knows what go's into a knife is always better!! Despite the similar design one will always be better, right?? For example lets say you want to have a foot long bowie knife thats atleast a 1/4 in. thick, so it's gonna be hefty in its weight already, but if you know the right balance point and the correct geometry, that bowie will feel better in the hands and more lightweight even though it's really not. Am I right?? or can you just draw up any knife design have it made and hope that it performs how you want it too??
 
Center of balance, strength, blade geometry, etc. can be calculated using the correct equations with a bit of patience and precision to detail. Or, with the correct combination of roughly $10,000 in CADD and analysis software, can easily be manipulated until the desired result is achieved. Of course, most of this software is the software major companies use when designing tooling and equipment and can be difficult to illegally obtain even for the most veteran computer experts ;)
 
you can wing it if your good at feeling your way through things. trial and error is key. but my basic philosophy is that if a design looks good and feels good it will be good.
 
I give more credit to the knifemaker's knowledge and experience in handling & using knives than any understanding how to use CAD. Computers and CAD help to save time, not so much for design or innovation.
 
Well, I could be wrong, but I don't think Hoyt Buck had a Phd in mathematics, physics, or engineering and still managed to make some fine knives. Of course, I'm sure Buck probably use all that expensive R&D and computer modeling stuff now. :D
 
Thing is you may have several opinions as to what is "the best" balance point/grind/style/.../ect. An experienced maker can do it by hand/eye or it can be done in CAD software.
 
I find blade geometry easy enough to understand as far as what cuts well and why. What gets me is how they translate that freehand to a piece of steel up against a sanding belt. I can very slowly do polishing and minor shaping Japanese sword polisher style but to just grab a blank and grind out symmetrical perfection like many of these guys do... I suspect it's witchcraft and they're not sharing the magic words with the rest of us.
 
Remember, there are different knives for different things. Some knives you want to be a little blade heavy if it's primary use will be chopping wood, plus it is kinda hard to make a knife with a 12" blade balance at the end of handle/start of blade area. Plus different people like different things. Some like thinner blades for more speed rather than 1/4" thick blades, & vise/versa.
 
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