Making a new knife

[amorican]

Hey everyone,

I read this forum all the time. I was wondering if you'd point me in the right direction.

IF someone were to make a knife to be sold in major retailers, and you (as a forum) had the chance to give your input, what would this knife be?

Example: what kind of steel? shape of blade? Handle shape? What is the handle made of? Sheath? No Sheath?

Let me know what you think!!!

- Rob

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Welcome to Bladeforums!

What kind of knife depends on what kind of use. The first aspect to consider would be if we're talking about a slipjoint, a locking folder, a fixed blade, or what.

The rest of your questions also follow from use. A gentleman's knife might take a high grade stainless, a heavy field knife mught do better with a carbon steel. Handle materials also vary by the need for looks or grip or price.

What you asked should have each of us list our favorite knives, but that won't really define the "best" for a speciified purpose.

 

[amorican]

Welcome to Bladeforums!

What kind of knife depends on what kind of use. The first aspect to consider would be if we're talking about a slipjoint, a locking folder, a fixed blade, or what.

The rest of your questions also follow from use. A gentleman's knife might take a high grade stainless, a heavy field knife mught do better with a carbon steel. Handle materials also vary by the need for looks or grip or price.

What you asked should have each of us list our favorite knives, but that won't really define the "best" for a speciified purpose.

Thanks! I'm thinking locking folder. Instead of stating favorite knives, I want to combine the best feature of knives.

You're right though.. let's start this one as an "everyday knife". Maybe we'll do one for other uses, too!

 

[Esav Benyamin]

That narrow it down a lot.

Start off with a 3" blade, which conforms to laws in most jurisdictions that restrict blade length. Make it of at least AUS-8 steel, which will sharpen easily and hold an edge reasonably well, without adding too much to the price. Go for G-10 handle slabs for popularity or settle for Zytel for economy, since Zytel will actually hold up well. A lockback should be simple to make and is a strong traditional lock.

Now compare it to the Ka-Bar Dozier hunters and see how you can tweak it to distinguish it from these very effective and popular knives. (Spyderco and Cold Steel also make similar models.)

 

[amorican]

That narrow it down a lot.

Start off with a 3" blade, which conforms to laws in most jurisdictions that restrict blade length. Make it of at least AUS-8 steel, which will sharpen easily and hold an edge reasonably well, without adding too much to the price. Go for G-10 handle slabs for popularity or settle for Zytel for economy, since Zytel will actually hold up well. A lockback should be simple to make and is a strong traditional lock.

Now compare it to the Ka-Bar Dozier hunters and see how you can tweak it to distinguish it from these very effective and popular knives. (Spyderco and Cold Steel also make similar models.)

those are great knives. I'm not a HUGE fan on the style of the handle, though.

I would definitely tweak the handle, and keep the quality at what you said if not higher.

Any other suggestions from anybody??

Thanks Esav, if you send me your mailing address I will send you a pretty cool knife for your time!!