I have an idea, is it a good one?

[koyote]

put the eye in the back, go ahead and oval it, more like an axe handle. keep the tang thick. don't use scales on it, but wrap it with cordage like Rick does. That will stand the shock of beating better than pinned scales.

I'd also look at reversing the spine/belly so it is more of a wharnie style blade.

Something like that with the handle shortened up some and the eye forming the rear of the handle, all wrapped.

 

[Skimo]

I like the idea!

It's pretty awesome having people who know what they're doing chime in!

So would it look like this, or perhaps shorten the handle a bit?

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I like the idea!

It's pretty awesome having people who know what they're doing chime in!

So would it look like this, or perhaps shorten the handle a bit?

Pretty much exactly what I was envisioning. :thumbup:

Make it thick with a spring temper to it and it should hold up great. If you needed to bulk up the handle a little you could do an under-wrap in accessory cord and then wrap the paracord over that.

 

[Echo4v]

Ok, maybe this is way off base but, how about some kind of detachable ring that could be mounted to the blade for use as a froe and then removed to use as a knife. I don't have any drawing programs but what I'm thinking is something like a a guard with the ring on the side ( and maybe a cup on the back so it would let some of the handle material slide into it for extra stability) so , it slips over the blade and then off an into a sheath pocket when not needed.

Hope this helps
David

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

My take on it--the eye is round, since it's easier to make a round handle in the field. The exterior wall of the eye is radiused slightly to aid in comfort--sharp edges might find ways of digging you.

 

[Skimo]

That looks pretty good, I thought a full flat grind wouldn't work too well in this application, a full convex like Koyote mentioned is a pretty good idea.