Knife Design on Paper

KB1SYV

KB1SYV

Joined
Mar 4, 2010
Messages
170
Hi Guy's

I have idea's that I want to put on paper, but I don't know what the blade to handle ratio. I have a 12" piece of metal, how much of that can be blade? Does it matter as far as length is concerned if it's a full or hidden tang? Thanks for any advice.

Jeff
 
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Some folks might have a "ratio" or formula but there really is no set rule. A 5" grip is fairly standard for a full-size knife, as the blade gets shorter the rgrip may get shorter as well but unless you are designing an art knife, functionality and comfort should be your main criteria. Anything much shorter than 4-1/2" is sacrificing useability in most applications IMO, an EDC knife or something designed to be compact/concealable are about the only knives on which I would consider a grip shorter than that.
 
well...hold onto one end of that steel bar..

the part you're holding...that's going to be the handle...

of the 12 foot bar you have, about 6 inches will be handle and guard -

...seriously...drw it out, change it, change it... make a cardboard template...change it...

eventually you will have your answer.
 
I noticed that there are hundreds of thousands of designs out there, can you really call a design yours, when you run the chance of it matching up with an existing design?

Thanks Justin and Integer man for your advise, I will try that when I get the piece.
 
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You could use the Golden Ratio to determine the measurements of the knife.
 
C Kyle, I know about the golden rule, but know nothing about the golden ratio
 
C_Kyle said:
You could use the Golden Ratio to determine the measurements of the knife.
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:thumbup::D

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_ratio

Google it but it comes down to 1.618:1 or to put it into knife terms, make sure your blade is 1.618 times longer than your handle. so a 5" handle needs a 8.09" blade. (5 x 1.618 = 8.09) then the inverse for the guard, if you want one. (5 x .618 = 3.09) check out Kevin Cashen's Daggers, I believe he designs and teaches his students to use these formulas and more to design their daggers.

Jason
 
Now there goes the whole life plan. I was under the impression taking on this hobby in my retirement that I could start using the creative side of my brain and shut down the analytical side. You mean I still have to run both sides?:rolleyes:
 
JasonSCarter said:
:thumbup::D

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_ratio

Google it but it comes down to 1.618:1 or to put it into knife terms, make sure your blade is 1.618 times longer than your handle. so a 5" handle needs a 8.09" blade. (5 x 1.618 = 8.09) then the inverse for the guard, if you want one. (5 x .618 = 3.09) check out Kevin Cashen's Daggers, I believe he designs and teaches his students to use these formulas and more to design their daggers.

Jason
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So that our hunters fetch up with @2" grips? This ratio only applies well to knives of a certain size, IMO, and is of limited value when knives are expected to do so much more than look cute.
 
Draw it out if you like. Cut it out on cardboard or grind it out in metal as I do. Hold it. If it looks right and feels right, then it is right. There's no right or wrong, and that's the wonderful thing about this craft.

I've read into the golden ratio, but I've never used it to design a knife. Know your knife's purpose, and that can guide you as to handle design. My EDC's have a 4" handle designed to fit comfortably into the meat of your hand while being easily concealed and comfortable. A camp knife needs a full handle with a different design. I'd say most handles fall into the 4-5" range.

--nathan
 
Do you have any idea of what style you want?

With that big stock and your KD post about the ivory I'm thinking you like bowies?

google an surf for bowie photos and look at them, print them out, try to trace them, then try to draw them freehand..then make cardboard templates (cereal boxes)

I like these:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=701878

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=701878

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=520666

Try to ignore the ivory and damscus and look at just the shapes

then get some paint sticks for free and make a wooden pattern

You will eventually see what makes one design good or bad.

Yes it's all been done before, but even if you set out to copy someone elses design, by the time you're done- it will be yours , not theirs...

http://rapidshare.com/files/311829009/Lloyd_Harding_-_100s_of_Knife_Patterns.zip

I found Loyd Hardings designs to be interesting to start with.
 
KB1SYV said:
I noticed that there are hundreds of thousands of designs out there, can you really call a design yours, when you run the chance of it matching up with an existing design?
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This is a whole 'nother can of worms :D. Essentially it boils down to man has been using a knife as a tool for thousands of years..... Chances are someone else has done it already and it's been done many times over.
 
12345678910 said:
Do you have any idea of what style you want?

With that big stock and your KD post about the ivory I'm thinking you like bowies?
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I like the old school western bowie designs. I went to the first thread link you had and I saw that first knife, holy shitzkies. Someone needs to make a WIP on building those kind of handles, I wouldn't know where to begin! I downloaded Lloyd Harding from Pirate Bay, just haven't begun to look yet. But thank you for the informative post.

Jeff
 
Fletch Helical said:
This is a whole 'nother can of worms :D. Essentially it boils down to man has been using a knife as a tool for thousands of years..... Chances are someone else has done it already and it's been done many times over.
Click to expand...

I figured it would be a topic that would start a Thermonuclear war:D
 
A suggestion would be to make your first knife something fairly manageable to do. Big knives look cool and all but a huge blade is going to be a LOT more work. And there is plenty of work to go around in making a knife, overload yourself and it's easy to get frustrated. If you haven't read it my WIP had a few "meltdown moments" and my knife wasn't all that big.
 
Fletch Helical said:
A suggestion would be to make your first knife something fairly manageable to do. Big knives look cool and all but a huge blade is going to be a LOT more work. And there is plenty of work to go around in making a knife, overload yourself and it's easy to get frustrated. If you haven't read it my WIP had a few "meltdown moments" and my knife wasn't all that big.
Click to expand...

No, I haven't found your WIP, I'll look for it and the inevitable meltdowns. I'm sure I'll have my share with even a steak knife. My problem is I'm a perfectionist. I'm eager to see how I make out.
 
KB1SYV said:
I went to the first thread link you had and I saw that first knife, holy shitzkies. Someone needs to make a WIP on building those kind of handles, I wouldn't know where to begin!

Jeff
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...that's David Broadwell

He did do a WIP

http://www.centercross.com/cciv/Sculpting_with_David_Broadwell.htm

Sculpting_with_David_Broadwell.jpg
 
Justin King said:
So that our hunters fetch up with @2" grips? This ratio only applies well to knives of a certain size, IMO, and is of limited value when knives are expected to do so much more than look cute.
Click to expand...

Obviously you'll need to use common sense and good judgment to figure out when and where to use it. ;)
 
You could always make wooden test knives to decide how big you want your handle.

I know opinions vary on this, but I have made several test knives from wood, then cheap steel and scrap oak scales. I didn't focus at all on the finish, just the general shape. I actually made three test knives in the prep for my next knife, and will probably make a fourth before I start. I even have 2' of mild steel just to practice vine pattern filework on. I like filework. I suck at it, but I like it.
 
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