Knife I'm working on for a friend.

coop7

coop7

Joined
Apr 9, 2012
Messages
318
Kinda looks like swiss cheese, but it's balanced now: http://imgur.com/2nAhn
1/8" 1095 blade is 3 1/4" handle is 4 3/8", OAL is 8"
I didn't make a template or anything I just started hacking into the steel and got this, I kind of like it though. Any criticism is welcome, as I am still very new at this.
 
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I started to post and ask if you really wanted a critique, but since you said you did, here goes:


The blade shape is too pointy and angular - you would have done better for your design to make a cardboard or wooden template and see what it looked and felt like.

The handle will be very uncomfortable to use.

You say it is balanced? Without the handle on it, its not balanced yet.

Some suggestions ( for the next one):
Make the spine a continuous curve from the handle to the blade tip. A big hump with that jimping will be rough on the eyes as well as the hand.

The bird's head butt should be a smooth drop, not a sudden notch. The handle belly should only have a slight curve and end in a smooth rounding at the ricasso. The way it is now will raise blisters.

You have two holes and the thinnest section of the handle in alignment. That could lead to the blade breaking in half during use.

The blade edge should be a smoother curve. The angle in the center and pointed tip will make it usable for nothing but stabbing someone - I hope that is not the reason it was made. The tip as made will be very weak, and probably break off un any normal use.

Look at some of the sketches and templates other new makers are currently posting in Shop Talk, and you will see some more practical and better engineered shapes. Here is a good one:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/956226-Knife-designs
 
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Everything Stacy says is true, but then again, it looks like a knife to me. In fact it looks a lot like the one of my first, which i still use around the shop for various dirty jobs. For the next one, try doing much less. Simple lines, simple features. I bet you'll be very happy with the results. In the mean time, put a handle on that mother!
 
andybill - Thanks for pointing out that most of us have had less successful first knives than coop7's. I agree he should finish it up. My first knife was far worse.
 

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ive been designing knives for a while since ive joined here, come up with one or two a week, and everything that stacy says is true, gentle curves, no quick hard angles, it just has to flow, spend some time looking at the pro's knives, and you will see most follow that kind of principle, well thats what ive found anyway
 
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Stacy and everybody else, Thank you for all of the advice it's really helpful! You probably weren't concerned about hurting my feelings, but in case you were wondering you didn't. There's no sense in getting butt hurt when you ask for criticism and someone tells you like it is. I'll definitely stick to a plan next time! Also this is my first knife: http://imgur.com/q12ye - if you have any thoughts on that one I like to hear them as well! Thanks in advance, you guys are great and I'm glad I found this community.
 
coop,

I was concerned about my critique being taken wrong, and am very relieved in your taking it as well meant advise.

That first knife link shows a much better design. If the blade to handle transition along the spine was an even curve, that would bring the butt down a tad, and make for smoother lines.
The birds head is better, but could use a little less of a plunge as it comes up into the handle belly. Think of it as two curved lines meeting at a point. One curve is the spine coming down and around the butt, and the other is the "S" curve of the handle belly coming down to intersect the butt. Both should be pretty even curves, with the only sharp angle being where they meet in the "beak" of the bird's head. The beak will be rounded in shaping, and should not be a sharp point when finished.
The lanyard hole ( if used) should make the "eye", BTW.

On the current knife, take a look at the re-grind knifemaking01 shows. That will get a very nice and useful blade from what you have now.

The attachment shows an uber-simple knife design. It has all the basics for a good knife shape. The tip is pointed, but not frail. The spine is a continuous curve. The edge has a gentle and smooth curve, straightening out to flat as it approaches the ricasso. The handle belly has a slight sway, and then smoothly turns down to form the bird's head. All this is accomplished by the junction of a few curved lines.
 

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Thank you, this really helps me out a lot. Also is there a resource to check if there are any makers in my area?
 
Get a copy of "Knives 2012" ( or any recent year). In the back is a state by state listing of knifemakers.
 
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