Just Finished - Large Hunting Knife - Pic Heavy

Matt Markell · Oct 13, 2012

Hi all, here's one fresh of the bench. No edge yet or sheath but everything else is done.

Specs:

8.5" OAL
3/16" 1084 with FFG
Heavily skeletonized tang
OD Green Canvas Micarta scales finished to a low grit
Satin hand rubbed low grit finish (220x + ScotchBrite pad)

This is one solid knife here folks! Feels ready for anything but is still well balanced (just behind the fowardmost pin). I really like how this one came out. Let me know what you think. Criticism is welcome

Thanks for looking!

Matt Markell · Oct 13, 2012

I guess I'm going to have to fire my hand model, y'all don't seem to like him

fast14riot · Oct 13, 2012

You have a good eye for balance and flow! Nice usefull camp knife. I'm a fan of smaller hunting knives, about 2.75" edge is perfect for me, so this design would be fo camp prep, in my needs.

Tell you hand model to stop biting his nails!

-Xander

TASelf · Oct 13, 2012

Looks great!

Matt Markell · Oct 13, 2012

I like smaller knives too for most tasks but some things just need a bigger knife. Xander, you're right it is a bit big for a skinner/cleaning knife but I wanted this one to be more of a general "Hunter's" knife. Something I could walk into the woods for a week with. It does choke up well though and with the good balance it feels very capable of small precise cuts.

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

Jarrett Fleming · Oct 14, 2012

That knife turned out great Matt. Now sharpen it up and put it to use!

Indianbladenoob · Oct 14, 2012

Very pure design.
Begs to be used.............

SBuzek · Oct 14, 2012

OzarkMatt,I went and looked at your profile and wish to thank you for some good,complete info.I have been looking at this knife for abit and you did ask for a critque.
First off it's a nice design,good proportion of handle to blade.Your fit and finish are good so that shows you pay attention to details.Nice looking knife over all.
Now the things I see that need improvement.

First on the handle,another pin placed between the second pin and the thong hole would have helped or move the middle pin back toward the thong hole as the larger gap there stops the eye and looks off.Also a 1/2"countersink used on the thong hole to bevel the edges will add a nice touch.

On the blade,that is not a FFG,the grind stops about 3/8" from the spine at the plunge,IMO on that thick of a knife a FFG would work well and give you a nice distal taper from about you makers mark to the tip and also thin the blade,giving it a better geometry and makeing it cut better,with still more than enough strength.
Your plunges seem way too radiused for my taste,but hard to tell without and edge shot.
Please don't take this the wrong way,you did very well,now take what you have learned and make another,and make it better.:thumbup:
If you have any questions please don't hesitat to contact me.

Stan

Matt Markell · Oct 14, 2012

SBuzek said:
OzarkMatt,I went and looked at your profile and wish to thank you for some good,complete info.I have been looking at this knife for abit and you did ask for a critque.
First off it's a nice design,good proportion of handle to blade.Your fit and finish are good so that shows you pay attention to details.Nice looking knife over all.
Now the things I see that need improvement.

First on the handle,another pin placed between the second pin and the thong hole would have helped or move the middle pin back toward the thong hole as the larger gap there stops the eye and looks off.Also a 1/2"countersink used on the thong hole to bevel the edges will add a nice touch.

On the blade,that is not a FFG,the grind stops about 3/8" from the spine at the plunge,IMO on that thick of a knife a FFG would work well and give you a nice distal taper from about you makers mark to the tip and also thin the blade,giving it a better geometry and makeing it cut better,with still more than enough strength.
Your plunges seem way too radiused for my taste,but hard to tell without and edge shot.
Please don't take this the wrong way,you did very well,now take what you have learned and make another,and make it better.:thumbup:
If you have any questions please don't hesitat to contact me.

Stan

Stan, thanks for the critique, that was exactly what I was looking for. I see what you mean about pin placement now and I may go ahead and countersink the lanyard tube.

About the plunge radius and the grind type, these two are interrelated. Part of the problem lies in my grinding ability and equipment. Hopefully that will improve soon when my Pheer arrives. Also, I used a leather backed sanding stick and that radiused the plunge a bit more then I would have liked, when I sharpened the knife I ended up filing a sharpening choil in to help me get a good plane for the secondary bevel.

The grind profile was a FFG when it came off of the grinder, the leather softened the top of the plunge line and blended it in and then my subpar photography skills made it impossible to see. When you hold it in hand the grind line becomes more apparent you pretty much can't see it in a photo. Here's an example of how the grind line was coming off the grinder:

Thanks everybody for the comments, I really appreciate them. I will upload a few more photos now that I've sharpened it in just a little bit.