Hybrid Combat

Burchtree

Burchtree

KnifeMaker & Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Mar 15, 2002
Messages
5,368
Need some good ol' honest feedback on this one. It's only about 95% finished. I still need to mark it, sharpen it, and treat the handle (waiting on some new epoxy system though.) This was another of those "tried to get it done before blade" knives but I was able to finish it up last night. It's got a 7-inch blade of 1/4-inch W-2 and is almost 13 inches overall. The underlay is woodland, but I'm thinking about tearing it down and using the new Marine Corps pattern as it's more refined and a closer pattern (plus, I just like the looks of it. :D ) So anyway, let's hear some opinions.

BTW -- the sheath is from Blackhawk.

Thanks for looking --

hybridcombat.jpg
 
Nice TEmper line.

What finish does the blade have?
 
Thanks -- it's taken down to 1000 grit then etched and the oxides taken off with jeweler's rouge.
 
I think my etchant may be too strong....I get way black in the hardened areas and the same color you have in the softer part.....in 2 to 4 sec!
 
Very nice Michael. Ive never been a fan of the wrapped stuff but loks like it would provide a nice secure grip.
 
My honest assessment is: love the blade, indifferent to blah on the handle. My personal preference would be for micarta or G-10 handles. However, the blade is great... love the shape and temper lines.
Keep 'em coming.
 
I like the overall shape. Like Mongo I'm not a big fan of wraped handles, but it works except for the camo underlayment. As you mentioned a tighter patern might look better, or maybe a solid color. Olive drab or a 75% grey come to mind. What sytem of epoxy are you using?
 
Thanks all --- I'm not sure either, an OD would be nice-looking though. :D
 
Like others have said, I think the blade is outstanding but I am not to fond of the handle. And that is nothing against your cord wrap, I think that you do a good job at that to just on that knife I would like to see another handle. I think it is in part because I like the blade so much, if that makes any sense :).
 
Michael,
Great knife, the woodland is fine by me (I wore it for many years so I'm partial to it). If you are not happy with it, just etch an Eagle, Globe and Anchor on the blade and ship it to me :D
Regards and Semper Fi,
Greg
 
Thanks for the honesty folks, that's what I like to hear. :)

Ripper -- oddly enough the woodlands is from an old set of my cammies from the Corps and I almost put a black EGA on the other side of the handle as a menuki.
 
Hi Michael,

I like it, several camo patterns can work, but it depends just how the design is visible under the wrap.
Depending its future use one can think on making the handle somewhat thicker, by using several layers of canvas; maybe make panels by laminating the camo and that way you get a thicker grip that is more comfortable in heavier use.
When applying the epoxy, use a hot air blower or hairdryer to move the epoxy around, it will be thinner when warmed up and absorbed better by the shoelace or ito and canvas. It will also harden faster and exess will flow and drop off easier.

Jan

Edit: I just saw your site, I like the knives you make and It seems you allready knew the advantages of the hairdryer, or did you use very thin epoxies?
 
Michael, nice work! I really like the blade, and you did a great job on the cord wrap, too. Me, I like slabs handles or leather better, but you have a bunch of cord wrap fans out there, too.
 
Michael, it looks good to me. I'm assumming you used clay on it to get the hamon. Does the hamon appear where you put the clay or did it come up higher? Awhile back I did both W-1 & 2 using the same templet to trace the pattern on the blades before I put on the clay. The W-1 blade turned out close to exactly the way the clay was put on and the W-2 was way different.
 
I love the blade and though I don't (or haven't yet) done any cord wrapping I really like the way your came out. I am a bit of a traditionalist though. I'm not too crazy about the camo. I think a skin of some sort (lizard, shark or ray) would be better. Just my opinion, means nothing. ;)
Great looking knife overall though!
 
I'm like everyone else Michael. Absolutely love the blade and am lukewarm on the handle. I have one wrapped handle and every time I use it, think about putting a real handle on it. The problem is I made just for a wrapped handle.

If this is going to be used as a real "combat Knife" I would go for Micarta. They are not really fighters, rather, they are tough utility knives.

It looks much more like a really nice belt knife to me (hunter/utility/small camp/walking around" knife. I would put something a little nicer like stabilized burl!

Anyway I rate it as follows:
Blade A+
Handle C
Overall workmanship A
Design A
:)
 
See this is what it's all about! Thanks for the honest feedback. :D
 
Burch - really like the blade.

My only gripe with wrapped handles is that many makers leave the tang thick and so the balance is way off "in the hand"....since we can't see the thickness of the blade in your pic, could you tell us where the balance is?
 
Pen -- thanks for the comments, the balance is right behind the turk's head knot.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top