Knives design critique, please

Dave Kelly

Dave Kelly

Joined
Dec 17, 2003
Messages
597
Hi, I made my first knife in I believe May of this year and I've made a total of 5 knives, not exactly high production. I'm getting ready to try my hand at selling my knives but I don't know anyone that likes knives to ask thier opinion, I don't know how other new makers find out if people like their designs so I'm asking you if you have the time to take a look and give me your brutally honest opinions, suggestions, advice or any comments, not so much about the materials used but the overall designs.

So let er rip. I don't have a good picture of my first one so the pictures start off with my second one: mokume and (green), third: copper and ironwood, fourth: brass and ironwood, fifth: box elder and ironwood (I kind of like ironwood huh)

Thanks for your time, Dave


http://fototime.com/ftweb/bin/ft.dll/detailfs?userid={09F0592E-EAB6-4349-8C53-65378226375D}&ndx=0&slideshow=0&AlbumId={6FBDE27C-8F0E-4BA1-9CF5-AACC7BE7EEC2}&GroupId=&screenheight=768
 
Dave, I think the designs of all of them are fantastic. I personally do not care for the color green on a knife, but maybe would change my mind if I saw it in person. My personal favorite by far is the last knife, the box elder/desert ironwood one that you previously posted in the gallery. That one really got my juices flowin' (sorry for any unintended visuals ;) )
 
I don't mind that green at all. It looks like you have two different blades on that knife. It and knife number five are my favorites. In fact, I think knife number five is quite stunning.
 
That last one is absolutely stunning. Are they going to be out there at low introductory prices? :D
 
I don't care for the green and am hesitant on the last one just because of the two layers on the handle. I like the middle ones; #5 and #9 really well. You sure do great work for starting out!
 
That is a sweet bunch of knives. I like the green, it is striking and different. The layered woods one is still the most original, though. Thanks for sharing!
 
Lookin' good!:D I like the green well enough but prefer the ironwood. Nice knives.

Cheers,

Roger
 
I like the use of filework on your knives and the use of damascus. If you put these out on a table...I'd be the guy hanging around and wanting to handle your folder in pix's 15-20!:D
 
Very cool line of knives. . .and I too like the last design !

Most knife makers begin with fixed blades then move to folders. If you started with folders. . .hat is off to you !

I think that you're on the right road !

Just an idea. . .might want to hook-up with some of the makers that hang out on the forum and send them your wares for their opinion.
 
Thanks for the replies, I've never really liked anything that I've made so far so your comments are encouraging and it sounds like I'll keep all of the designs in my for sale line.

For those that do not like the color green on a knife please avoid the soon to come picture post of the new one I just started 8>)

Keith, I made the green one for my wife and it originally had an o1 blade but she liked the blade on my fourth knife so I made her one like it.

kcardwell, I would like to do whatever possible to improve my work so please tell me why you're hesitant about the layered wood. I use stabilized wood, no sharp corners, the mating surfaces of the two layers are roughed up and then epoxied together. I carried, used and abused this one for about a week and it performed extremely well. It's not a small knife but wieghs just under 2 oz.

GigOne, I started with folders because I did'nt know any better. Up until a few months ago, I'm embarrassed to say that I never even heard of Bob Loveless let alone the incredibly talented fixed makers that I have seen recently.

What a great idea, after I finish the one I just started, I will make one to send to a forum member maker for evaluation. I'm not sure who to ask but I would like that person to post an honest opinion of my work and then I would feel more comfortable about selling. At a low introductory price 8>)
 
Posted by Dakcon:

What a great idea, after I finish the one I just started, I will make one to send to a forum member maker for evaluation. I'm not sure who to ask but I would like that person to post an honest opinion of my work and then I would feel more comfortable about selling. At a low introductory price 8> )
Click to expand...


2 forums below this forum. . .is a place called Shop Talk. It's where alot of the makers hang-out.


Post a thread there asking for maker(s) to assist in the eval of one or more of your folders.


Good luck !
 
What do I think ? I think you've done good. The last 2 are especially nice, and when I say that, I mean that I think all are darn awesome knives, period. Damascus and Ironwood looks extremely classy.

I myself find that shade of green a bit strange. I qualify by saying that I think it is the combination of green against the mokume. I do actually like green jigged bone, for example.

Great work. Hope to see more. Jason.
 
Colours are subjective, so Green is okay with me. The knives are better than all right.

So long as there's a will to improve, progress will be made.

Keep it up, my friend. :)
 
The green one is ok, but the ironwood knife is so much nicer, IMHO. Great looking work.
 
I liked all but the greenie. Nothing wrong, just not me. Love the blade shape. The woods are beautiful - you could also consider the ironwoods against a dark blackish bolster.

Nice, low introductory price pls and I may just have to get one! What's the bladesteel?

Keep it up!
 
Thanks you guys for the kind and encouraging words, it helps a lot to know that you like my knives :)

Thanks spyken,
What's the bladesteel?
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I'm not sure which knife you're referring to but if it's the last one, it's lightly etched O1

I know the green is kind of wierd but my wife picked it out and since I made the knife for her and she loves it and I made her happy, that's all that matters ;)
 
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