How to improve knife designs?

My advice would be to start out as simple as possible. Stay away from super intricate and unique designs until you're proficient with the basic designs.

Figure out what kind of the knife you want to make and narrow it's details down from there. handle length, blade length, thickness, grind type, blade width, etc...
 
Personally I make sure to have a minimum of five cardboard mockups made of each design, with a small change to each one, just to see. I get others to had them and give me feedback on feel first, then looks. Cardboard is extremely easy to make changes to- just wet your hand a small bit and press fit the cardboard until comfortable! Or you can use modelling Clay- set it out based on your design, then lightly manipulate it in your hand and see how the shape changes. Note how the practical "use" changed your original design. Actually write down on a copy of the design what you found (too thick here, more meat here, and re-design your template. If you are comfortable, metal cut out, but I go back to another cardboard copy based on the new design as well. Then fine tune for looks- form will almost always look good if it is a solid functional design IMO. Ergonomics are sexy ;). At this stage take it slow and have fun!! Feed the desire to continue rather than let your critical eye become a discouragement- it's a great journey that everybody can make their own!
 
Lots of good info here. I plan on checking out all of the books that were mentioned. I also plan on drawing a LOT more once I have a break from exams and job searches. I am currently working with hand tools, but I don't have any more steel at the moment to cut out any more blanks. I am currently just working on finishing out the two knives I have. Hopefully by the time I get more steel I will have my grinder. Thanks for all the advice!
 
I think the best way to improve your knife designs, is to make knives.

Your designs have to relate to your skills.

I've seen a lot of guys show knife sketches that are freak'n killer... then they show the finished knife, and it looks almost nothing like the sketch. Almost always because they don't have the skills to produce what they drew on paper.


Plus, some things look cool on paper, that prove to be totally dumb in a real, 3 dimensional knife.


Don't get me wrong, it's obviously easier to move a pencil line than it is to cut/grind/machine steel... but that will only get you so far.

It's kind'a like when I worked at the gym and guys would always ask me, "How do I get better at doing pull-ups?!?!? :confused:"

Me: "Do pull-ups." ;) :)
 
Nick that makes a lot of sense. As soon as I get my grinder and it warms up I plan on making as much as I possibly can and start getting my skills up. I also think that the more I know about the making process the more I will be able to keep that in mind with designs. I would also like to say that I love the handles on your knives.
 
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