Knife Ideas

[Jared Stenoien]

I was wondering how everyone else gets ideas for knife designs. I know I usually see a piece of something that would make a good handle and design something to match it. How do you do it?

 

[Will Leavitt]

I usually lay in bed with my sketchpad and draw while my fiance watches television. I do rough sketches based on the size of my steel then "clean" the drawings up with my french curves, rulers and go from pencil to ink.

Inspiration comes from many sources, pictures on the 'net, books, tree limbs, leaves and other things that just happen to catch my eye.

 

[SDS]

One of my latest ideas came from a large fishing snap swivel. When you have knives on the brain I think the inspirations can come from just about anywhere.

SDS

 

[silver_pilate]

I will sometimes take a look at my collection, and get some ideas of what appeals to me. I don't copy others' work, but I get flow and shape ideas for my knives this way sometimes. I rarely grind to any scribed out pattern. I let the feel of the knife in my hand while grinding guide me. I may have a sharpie drawing of a shape on the blade, but I don't let that restrict what I do. Sometimes, I'll just mark some layout lines to indicate size and start of cutting edge, handle size, etc. and I just start grinding. "Use the force, Luke." Let the force guide you.

--nathan

 

[scottickes]

I do a lot of drawing...I also spend a lot of time looking at nature. Some of the knives that I've found to be the most pleasing to look at had absolutely no straight lines in them. Straight lines in nature are very rare. Nature is also very pleasing. God created all of that, so I use God's patterns as a guide. I can't improve on them, so I just tend to copy them.

For example, look at the branches of a tree. Especially this time of year, when you can see them clearly with the leaves gone. They aren't straight but curve gracefully. You can see many different knives up and down one willow branch. Looking at the mighty oak tree, you can see some wonderful bowie knives up and down the branches.

Try it. You'll be amazed at what you begin to see in your own backyard.

 

[Will Leavitt]

Lot of times I'll just forge a blade then design the knife from the blade.

I usually design blade first then the handle and fittings when I'm sketching.

 

[grease-man]

I try to put my sketches on paper as soon as possible, however, about 90% of them never make it to the paper. Some are still rolling around in my head (lots of room ) waiting to be drawn out. I save the ones I like in a folder and look at them often, sometimes tweaking a line here or there. When I have time, I try to make one. That's how they start for me. -Matt-

 

[Dan Seaver]

I use/see different knives that I like and try to take some aspects from those and put them into what I make. Normally I just start forging and see where it takes me. I'm currently trying designing then making the knife. Hopefully this will improve the appearance of what I make.

-Dan

 

[butcher_block]

i work to what i think i need or use in a knife and make handles that fit me

that can cover more then a few people then some one will ask if you will try this or tht and then mods happen slowly your style falls out of the jumble

you eye and your hand will make the knives you see uses for in life