- Joined
- Jan 5, 2001
- Messages
- 2,726
Sorry to cross-post this from the Blade Discussion Forum, but I would particularly appreciate any feedback from knifemakers.
I recently finished making my first knife. I had been working on the design for a while, with the thought of finding someone to make it for me. Eventually I got up the nerve to try making a knife myself, so I asked a few questions of my friendly local knifemaker Phil Tham (a.k.a. txwoodchip).
Phil was tremendously helpful. He not only answered my questions, he offered me his help and the use of his shop. I suspect he laughed himself sick when he saw the design I wanted to make as a first attempt, but all he did was diplomatically encourage me to simplify some of the more difficult aspects. Then he helped me make it all work. There is no way I could have done this without Phil and I am deeply grateful for all of his help.
The Mobius Basic is a simplified variant of my first knife design. It is intended to serve as a defensive knife and to handle a broad range of more mundane tasks. The unusual grip permits several hand positions, both inside and outside the grip.
The inside grip provides superior retention and power, as well as fully protecting the hand.
The outside grips allows for greater precision, a wider choice of blade positions, and works nicely when wearing gloves.
The lower guard acts as a traditional guard and blade catcher, but it also keeps the hand from sliding forward onto the blade when using an outside grip.
The index-finger grooves provide positive indexing for both grips and help keep the hand in place under stress.
The pinkie-hook at the bottom of the grip keeps the hand firmly in place when using an outside grip. It acts as part of an extended blocking/binding area when using an inside grip. And it can be a striker in either case. Likewise, the thicker area at the bottom of the grip can be used as a striking surface and hammer.
The downward angle of the blade puts it more in line with the natural angle of the wrist. This is particularly important for this design, since the inside grip limits the ability to angle the blade somewhat more than an outside grip.
Model: Mobius Basic
Weight: 3.0 oz
Material: ATS-34
Thickness: 0.130"
Overall Length: 8"
Blade Length: 3-1/8"
My designs have been influenced, at least to some extent, by every knife I've ever seen. I have been particularly inspired by the work of Sal Glesser, Fred Perrin, Bob Dozier, and FrontSight. I owe special thanks to Brendon Hutton, who brainstormed and traded design critiques with me. Please understand that while I have incorporated ideas from all of these people into my designs, they are not in any way to blame for my results.
I try to design and make knives that are practical, functional, and comfortable. Pretty would be nice too, but only after the others factors have been covered. As you can probably tell . . .
I'm interested in any comments or feedback on the design. I expect to produce at least a few more variations on this concept. Eventually I will try for the recurve blade shape I had originally intended to be part of this design.
--Bob Q
I recently finished making my first knife. I had been working on the design for a while, with the thought of finding someone to make it for me. Eventually I got up the nerve to try making a knife myself, so I asked a few questions of my friendly local knifemaker Phil Tham (a.k.a. txwoodchip).
Phil was tremendously helpful. He not only answered my questions, he offered me his help and the use of his shop. I suspect he laughed himself sick when he saw the design I wanted to make as a first attempt, but all he did was diplomatically encourage me to simplify some of the more difficult aspects. Then he helped me make it all work. There is no way I could have done this without Phil and I am deeply grateful for all of his help.
The Mobius Basic is a simplified variant of my first knife design. It is intended to serve as a defensive knife and to handle a broad range of more mundane tasks. The unusual grip permits several hand positions, both inside and outside the grip.
The inside grip provides superior retention and power, as well as fully protecting the hand.
The outside grips allows for greater precision, a wider choice of blade positions, and works nicely when wearing gloves.
The lower guard acts as a traditional guard and blade catcher, but it also keeps the hand from sliding forward onto the blade when using an outside grip.
The index-finger grooves provide positive indexing for both grips and help keep the hand in place under stress.
The pinkie-hook at the bottom of the grip keeps the hand firmly in place when using an outside grip. It acts as part of an extended blocking/binding area when using an inside grip. And it can be a striker in either case. Likewise, the thicker area at the bottom of the grip can be used as a striking surface and hammer.
The downward angle of the blade puts it more in line with the natural angle of the wrist. This is particularly important for this design, since the inside grip limits the ability to angle the blade somewhat more than an outside grip.
Model: Mobius Basic
Weight: 3.0 oz
Material: ATS-34
Thickness: 0.130"
Overall Length: 8"
Blade Length: 3-1/8"
My designs have been influenced, at least to some extent, by every knife I've ever seen. I have been particularly inspired by the work of Sal Glesser, Fred Perrin, Bob Dozier, and FrontSight. I owe special thanks to Brendon Hutton, who brainstormed and traded design critiques with me. Please understand that while I have incorporated ideas from all of these people into my designs, they are not in any way to blame for my results.
I try to design and make knives that are practical, functional, and comfortable. Pretty would be nice too, but only after the others factors have been covered. As you can probably tell . . .
I'm interested in any comments or feedback on the design. I expect to produce at least a few more variations on this concept. Eventually I will try for the recurve blade shape I had originally intended to be part of this design.
--Bob Q
