Knife making

gunmetal1

gunmetal1

Joined
Oct 16, 2012
Messages
266
I work at a CNC machine shop and I'm looking to utilize the mills to come up with a knife design that would become "my" product. I have some ideas for blade type that I think would sell like hot cakes (doesn't everyone) I just need to get some advice/details on what to do. I've been doing some research on materials and do have the added benefit of buying direct. I'm going to make some proto's (rough shapes) and post them to see if I can get some feedback from the general population.

What about trademark infringement? There are thousands of blade styles, how do I know find out what is acceptable or not. I don't want to be a copy cat just want to make sure I don't waste my efforts with a design that someone else has already done...

Maybe someone on here would be kind enough to give me the keys to the vault?...
I appreciate any input, good or bad I'll learn from both...

Gunmetal
 
This question seems to pop up quite a bit in one form or another...

I'm not sure there's a single, all encompassing answer, as there are a number of well known knife manufactures with certain "trademarks" that either need to be licensed (if they can be) to be used, or otherwise avoided. I doubt anybody could tell you all of them off the top of their head, but the "big three" are probably Spyderco's "spyder hole" for opening blades, Emerson's "wave" feature, and the Busse "talon" holes. Then of course there are certain patented features that are more/less exclusive to certain makers, proprietary parts and hardware, etc... but you'd have to purposefully go out of your way to duplicate those.

Now, as far as general blade and handle shapes, I'm don't think there are too many trademarks specific to those, although I'm sure there are plenty of makers that when you see their work, you immediately recognize it based on the general "look" or "shape". I might try to steer away from more unique styles that mimic well known designers and makers if I could help it.

Personally, I think if you start with a from scratch drawing or design, it's pretty easy to keep it somewhat personalized and not risk exactly copying another maker. That said, there are 1000's of makers, and 10's of 1000's of designs, and there's almost nothing new under the sun. Chances are, almost everything has been done to one degree or another, and if you worried about being exclusively unique and different from every maker who has ever come before you, you'd never make knife #1.

I'd start with a simple, practical design to get the basic machining principles and mechanics down. Once you're happy with that, add some personality to it. Little design flairs and personal touches....

No need to start with the latest greatest super steel, exotic materials, and proprietary hardware... YET. Like you say, post some designs, get some feedback, then start working out the details.
 
I believe there is a tendency to believe that if I make "IT", IT will sell. I don't believe that's so. It must have style, great finishing , and the proper materials for specific parts. As well if you are talking about sales in large quantities the price must also be right to face competition. In fact these knives often come down to very special pieces developed by very special makers but most often placed into production by a known company. If you already know what is "good" you could approach one of these companies with the confidence they will be pleased to see your offering for success.
A bit of help may be found in the "stickies" at the top of this page.
I hope it goes well for you !
Frank
 
I'm right down the road to the east of you on 30.

I'll see what I can come up with and get some images for review. Thank you for the reply, and keep them coming..
 
Nice! What shop do you work at?

If you ever want to talk shop, go over some designs, or crank out some prototypes on some manual machines, you're welcome to drop by. Just shoot me a PM.
 
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