Knife design

N

nbellowe

Joined
Nov 29, 2009
Messages
16
Ive never made a knife before, so here's my design. Comments appreciated!

2586250.jpg


Also heres my shopping list.
Stainless Roundstock 3/16 in 416 Steel
Half Round Files - Length: 8in Cut: Bastard
Fractional Drills - 3/16
Annealed Flat Stock 1095 Hi-Carbon 1/8 x 1 1/2 x 18
What am I missing?

Thanks!
 
do you have files, sanding belts, respirator, sand paper, epoxy, and handle material?
 
You will need a vice, but I would also recommend getting a single cut file so you don't have to take so long sanding out the gouges that the bastard file will leave. Nice design, good luck with it.
 
A few things I think you will want to add; 1. Vise or clamp to hold blade while filing and sanding, 2. Sandpaper in various grits to finish. (wrap strips of sandpaper a little wider than the blade around a file or something similar and sand back and forth just as you filed tearing off paper as it dulls to expose fresh paper) 3. Handle scales and a way to mark the outline of the handle and a way to cut scales down to the line. 4. Some alcohol to clean blade, pins, and scales. 5. A GOOD adhesive and little cups to mix it in and something to mix and spread it with (popcicle sticks). Hope this helps and HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!


Forgot to mention some way to mark a centerline down the blade so you will know how far to take your bevels down and keep them even on both sides.

As far as the design I like it, but always remember with any design some will like it and some won't, so make what you like and don't worry about it.
 
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If this is your original design you did a great job, the handle to blade ratio looks great. The lines of the knife flow nicely. When I first started I would just step up to the grinder with just a thought in my head of what I wanted the knife to look like, it never turned out right. Then I started drawing out my knives on paper and they looked half way decent.
 
Just curious... Are you making an 18" long knife? If so your proportions are a bit off. With your drawing it looks like you will have about a 9" handle and a 9" blade. For an 18" knife a 5 1/2"-6" handle might be more appropriate. If you were building a 10"-12" knife those proportions look better. Also if your building an 18" knife I would recomend some thicker stock like 1/4".
Mace
 
Ok! So, in response to all of you, then here goes
1. Sandpaper in various grits to finish. OK, thanks!
2. Handle scales and a way to mark the outline of the handle and a way to cut scales down to the line. --- Does oak work well?
3. A GOOD adhesive and little cups to mix it in and something to mix and spread it with (popcicle sticks). What do you reccomend?

Also it is my original design. I would LOVE edits, ideas, and such!

Size- I was thinking smallish, but not tiny.
 
Ok! So, in response to all of you, then here goes
1. Sandpaper in various grits to finish. OK, thanks!
2. Handle scales and a way to mark the outline of the handle and a way to cut scales down to the line. --- Does oak work well?
3. A GOOD adhesive and little cups to mix it in and something to mix and spread it with (popcicle sticks). What do you reccomend?

Also it is my original design. I would LOVE edits, ideas, and such!

Size- I was thinking smallish, but not tiny.
 
If I were making it for myself I would make the handle to fit my hand then use that pattern to get the blade into proportion. Yes oak makes a good durable handle, just be sure its completely dry. As far as epoxy goes there are several out there but I prefer acraglas. I think Tracy has the results for the "glue wars" somewhere on his site www.usaknifemakers.com check it out, lots of good info in it.
 
I just finish 4" hunter and the handle is 4.5". If you've got big hands 4.75". Take your template and put it on scrap material like mild steel and see if it fits your hand.
 
Im still a teenager, medium-small hands, 4 inches? I dont have steel, lol but would cardboard work
 
What do you mean by med-small hands? My hand measures 7 1/8" from tip of middle finger to bottom of palm and 3 3/8" a cross the knuckles. my knife handle measures 5" in the forward grip and 4.5 in the rearward grip, its feels a tad short from the back but near perfect from the front where I think I will be holding it most of the time. Hope those measurements help you out
 
Cardboard works as a template and to give you an idea how it will feel.

Also you're joining at a great time, Gumbi and I both currently have knife WIP's (both first knives) so you can probably get an idea on what you're in for as far as what to do. Also if you haven't read or saved it Bladsmith's thread on directions for making a knife are excellent. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=694673
 
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OK! So I have drilled the outline, and done a basic hacksaw around the blank? So now, am I doing something wrong, because it is taking hours upon hours upon hours to file it. What should I do, to make it go quicker?
 
One thing I don't see is any thought about the heat treat. How will you be doing the heat treat? 1095 is not the easiest steel for a newb to HT. I believe there are a few fellows that will do it for you for a few bucks so it isn't a bad choice but if you are set on doing it yourself you may be better off ordering 1084 or 1080. Aldo Bruno sells 1084 that I hear is really good steel and has a thread in the for sale area. For $20.00 you can get a 4' bar of it.
 
You thought it was going to be easy?:D

It will go much faster once you have a couple of dozen blades under your belt.
Welcome to the fun!;)
Mace
 
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