I've been busy

R

RobertHankins

Joined
Jun 10, 2001
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This is what I have been working on for the past few weeks. Trying to develop a Utility/Fighter design, just about there...
I have one more variation waiting on the bench to get ground and HT.

The intention here is to have a blade people would not hesitate using the hell out of, but still not too ugly to show to a friend.
Everybody I have shown these to say that nice Wood makes them hesitate to have it as a user.

Specs so far (End results will vary):
11 1/4" OAL blade about 5 1/2" or so 3/16" thick.
Finish either scotchbrite or ??? No bead blast.
Final product will be done in a Flat grind from .207" S30V

What are your thoughts
Sheaths...Leather---Kydex?
Suggestions...Blade design???
Lets keep it costructive.

Bowie was just for fun.
 

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Nice work, Bob.

Though I like them all, the second one down, under the bowie, is my hands-down favorite. I like the rounded scales and the grey canvas micarta. The scales look just rough enough to provide a sure grip even if wet. I also like the exposed thong hole- that bare metal can be used for whacking things without brfeaking the handle. Finish this one up with a plain heavy black-on-black leather sheath and it is a winner.

Thanks for posting!
Dave
 
You have been busy! :D While the bowie is my personal favorite, speaking of the others I like the exposed tang and thong hole on the second and the swedge ground into the others. I also like the grind on the tip, looks like you kept it hefty and strong all the way out and formed a nice sharp cutting point. Finally, I like the overall proportions of the third, both its handle to blade lenghths and the proportions of the various parts of the blade. I'll be looking forward to the final product! Thanks for sharing, I don't know where you get the time...

Dave
 
robert i ment the second one down and the fourth of the ones without a guard :footinmou or the one at the bottom.:) you might want to set this up as a pole in the custom forum where you would get feed back from buyers. i think the mod's there would be ok with it as long as you set the questions as a pole.maybe e-mail them?
 
They all look fine to me. If I had to choose one, I would pick Numher two with a swedge on it. Nice work!
 
Robert all of them look great. Since you asked though:
Blade #1, handle on #2, choil on #3. Bring the swedge back to 3/4's of blade length from the tip to the hilt.
 
They are all very nice!

I would like to see the tang of #2 on #4 and enlarge the choil a bit to enhance it's utility side. Of course, if you send all of them to me I 'll be better able to tell which is best.;)

-SB
 
My "Chinese dinner" blade (one from Column A, two from Column B, etc ;) ) would be comprised of:
- Blade from #1. I know you said the bowie was just for fun, but I do think it's a nice blade. If it can't be #1, then #2 would get the nod in my book.
- Exposed tang, thong hole, and rounded micarta scales from #2.
- Pointy subhilt from #3 or #5.
- Dropped handle like #1 with pinky hook like #2 done a bit more prominently.
- Choil from #4.

Also, a deeper finger groove ahead of the subhilt, please. IMHO a fighter blade needs a mechanism that prevents your hand from ramping up onto the blade in case your thrust hits an obstruction. On an integral, a somewhat deep finger indexing groove (Spyderco Perrin as a rather extreme example) is the design to do the job. Putting some palm swells in the micarta scales would also help lock the knife into the user's hand, although the extra shaping would probably also increase the complexity and price of the knife.

For a Utility/Fighter blade length, I like the 6.5"-8" range. Thick kydex for the sheath. I like Normark's (On-Scene Tactical) J-hook belt loop because I can put the sheath on without undoing my belt and it makes IWB carry very easy. My preference would be for a hi-ride belt sheath (handle/blade transition point placed at about top of the belt) for riding in a vehicle or carrying IWB. A tactical "on the thigh" lo-ride on a drop loop could be an option.

As always Robert, I'm impressed with your really clean designs and the way the parts flow together smoothly. I like. :D

(edited to add) Full flat grind, please.

My $.02, -- Greg --
 
My 2 cents..

I like the second one down the best.
I like the handle bettter than the rest. Well radiused grip...not so sharp edged. I like the exposed pommel.

I would like to see it with a swedge and some grooves on to to help prevent slippage. Scotchbrite finish would be fine, no to a bead blast.
 
They all look great to me, but my preferance would be # 1 with a steel butcap screwed onto the tang for hammering, and a mycarta handle. That would be very close to my ideal rough use knife. One of these days I'll get around to makeing it.

Of the rest, #2 gets my vote as well. One thing, are they flat or hollow ground? If flat I'd perfer the grind go all the way up.

Also I know you said no bead blasting, but on a rough use knife it's hard to beat. If not that then a satin finish running from top to bottom would help hide any scatches from use.

My personal favorite sheath material is wax diped leather, but heavy kydex would be good in some situations. Eigther way I would sugest multiple tie down options as a lot of military personel hang there knives upside down from there LBV's.

As I said, just my .02$ worth, they all look great:cool:
 
The Bowie is my kind of knife, the others are great
knives and I have tryed to build them but can never
sell them. A cowboy style sheath would work for the
Bowie. Gib
 
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