Knife Design

Crayola · Dec 30, 1999

I just got a Craftsman 2X42 grinder with an 8" wheel as well for Christmas and I am slowly learning the art of the grind ( I have the art of the file down pretty good already!!) I have looked at hundreds of knives, but when I sat down to design my first one for grinding, I found myself having great difficulty designing one! I finally made a small blank (blade is about 3" long and 3/4" at the widest) and I'll be grinding tomorrow. I was wondering if anyone can offer any design tips (such as how to go about it, or design features I should include) I would be very appreciative! Thanks

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"Come What May..."

Yekim · Dec 30, 1999

I have not made many knives, but I know what I like, and I do draw alot of them. What I like to do when drawing them is to make a sketch of my rough idea, and figger out what I would change, and keep and them lay another piece of paper over the original sketch, trace the keeper parts, and change the other parts.

As for design ideas, the world is your oyster. What I like and what you like are different. Take the basic drop point design and then add features that you like to it. If you have a knife that you like except for one or two things, then trace it and change those things. Keep in mind variables such as handle material, possible uses for the knife, type of carry, legalities, level of fancyness, and so on.

YeK

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My Mom carries three knives.
AKTI # A000348

Dr.Lathe · Dec 30, 1999

Crayola,
I have a collection of about 25 french curves. Some are old ones that my dad had when he was going to college, other are cheap plastic ones from the craft store.
I use them to generate all the curves on the designs I'm drawing. It makes for a better looking drawing with smoother lines.
I take all my finalized drawing to work with me at night. Im my "spare" time there, I make copies of the drawings and glue them on to thin aluminum material. I can saw out and profile several of these test paterns in about a half hour. Then I hold them, feel them, make changes etc. Once I get one I like I transfer it to some 01 for a prototype. I like being able to go from paper to the aluminum. Quite often a design will die in the aluminum stage because I find out right away if there is a problem with the way it feels or looks.
Several things I tell people that are starting to make knives: Keep them small at first! Make lots of small ones! Use 01 or similar easy to heat treat material. Make your knife look like the drawing you started out with. Keep several of you first knives you are happy with. You will enjoy looking at them in the years to come

I hope this is of some help!
Neil

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Matt Shade · Dec 30, 1999

I start out and draw a rectangle on the paper the same size as the stock I'm using. Then I decide what type of blade I want to use and draw it in the rectangle. After that I decide if I want the back of the blade and the back of the handle to follow the same line or curve or not. Next is the front of the handle and blade. Finally I change anything I don't like.

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !

Bruce Bump · Dec 30, 1999

Crayola, I draw several knives and choose the ones I like best. For some odd reason they almost all look like Loveless droppoints. I love those sexy lines. Then I photo-copy them and enlarge or reduce them with the copier to acheive the best size for the style. Then simply cut out with sissors and elmers glue the paper to steel or cardboard. If it feels good on cardboard cut it out of steel. Remember that only about .010" of an inch makes a differance when changing a near close design. Bruce

P.K.Hansen · Dec 31, 1999

I draw like Matt, then glue it to the steel, grind the outlines and take a good look a the design. Very often something has to be changed - what looks great on paper might look awfull in steel.
The design depends on what and who the knife is for. I know what I like, but that doesn't have to be the same for one who is going to use the blade.

magnum .44 · Dec 31, 1999

well, i've been drawing the knives since i first started, then i draw it onto the steel. a tip is to only design it around what you can do. don't put stuff into the drawing that you have no way of doing, or don't have the shop capacity of doing. i had planned on making a sword, but decided against it, becuase i'm in a 12'x10' shop, and don't have the room around the machines for a blade that big. also, base your design on the materials you have at hand. don't draw a blade to big for a certain steel, if it is to brittle. you need to know your limits, and the limits of your materials before scetching a blade.

Lynn · Dec 31, 1999

Because I like to see the design in 3 dementions I like to grind a piece of wood until it looks like what I want. As an added bonus it will help you use your new grinder.
Lynn

Phillip Jones · Dec 31, 1999

Lynn has a good idea.
I make a plexiglass pattern to see if the knife feels proportionate and comfortable. If it doesn't, you can take it back to the drawing board and make changes without wasting a piece of steel.

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If a man can keep alert and imaginative, an error is a possibility, a chance at something new; to him, wandering and wondering are a part of the same process. He is most mistaken, most in error, whenever he quits exploring.

William Least Heat Moon