My first knife design. Critiques and Comments welcome

Ok i think I have a couple simular finished ones. Here ya go
PICT0007-1.jpg
 
Fletch Helical said:
Is it possible to do the curves with say a half round file? Also without a grinder you're saying the entire shape of the blade will be a challenge?
Click to expand...


You can use files and a half round will be good, you do have a few different radius to deal with, dont go too deep with the file because it will leave alot of sanding. Once you file then use sand paper wraped in a piece of wood to finish.

The blade has a belly on it with is tough to get a uniform edge, hollow grinding on a grinder you can follow that curve. It can be done just a little tougher than a straigt edge, looks like hellgap got it done nicely.
 
I would go with the drawing from Dustinhall. the recurve edge would be hard to grind.It would also be easier to finish the back of the handle with the tang not protruding. Have fun.
 
Dustin has shown a simplified ( and simpler to do) version of your original idea. I would go with that,too.

Fellow BF forumites:
We will try and keep this thread posted as the project proceeds.

Stacy
 
bladsmth said:
Dustin has shown a simplified ( and simpler to do) version of your original idea. I would go with that,too.

Fellow BF forumites:
We will try and keep this thread posted as the project proceeds.

Stacy
Click to expand...


Yeah maybe a Mod can change the title a bit to a WIP?

I made the template today and here is what it looks like. I modified the handle a tiny bit and this seemed to feel a bit better. I may even still monkey with it as I go forward but this is pretty close. The ricasso won't be as square as it is but a bit easier to cut out like that. It will be shaped a bit more like what Dustin posted a page back.

Knife.jpg
 
The template was cut out in ATS-34.
I drew two placement options for the thong tube, and Matt is going to let me know which to drill.
Stacy
 

Attachments

  • Matt's Knife 004.jpg
    Matt's Knife 004.jpg
    59.2 KB · Views: 138
  • Matt's Knife 007.jpg
    Matt's Knife 007.jpg
    76.2 KB · Views: 113
  • Matt's Knife 009.jpg
    Matt's Knife 009.jpg
    70.4 KB · Views: 122
I got here late, but something that I would add is this: When you design a knife, rather than thinking about what looks "cool", think about the shape of the human hand, and how it grasps, holds, or manipulates an item, and let that aid in your design. For example, when a hand is closed (as if holding something) the area where the index finger and thumb meet is a much smaller area than the heel of the hand. With that in mind the forward portion of a handle should be the smallest/narrowest portion.....and it should enlarge rearward. Also, notice that the hand is not straight, something that is gently curved downward towards the butt simply fits the hand better.

We've all seen knives that just grab our attention because of the flow and lines. Most of those knives have been designed around the elements I mentioned.

Something else to think about is how the lines flow, and how easy will it be to build the knife you have designed? Looking at the template you made, the front of the guard area is gong to be a bear to work with (build) because of the acute angles in that area. If it were me, I would be tempted to reverse the handle, and make some mild modifications to the curves, so that the handle fits the hand better.
 
Last edited:
Ed, I made some minor adjustments to his too straight handle.

Here it is ready to send to Fletch for him to start filing the bevels.
Stacy
 

Attachments

  • matt's knife 1 013.jpg
    matt's knife 1 013.jpg
    60.9 KB · Views: 127
Okay so I spent a little time filing the knife tonight. For anyone who is a newbie like myself I will let you know that filing a piece of ATS-34 is a slow going process. It got to be too late to find the camera and take pic but I'll do it likely tomorrow. One side came out pretty good but I got a little shaky on one side with the file. The other side was fairly smooth sailing, toward the end of the time I was working I think I found a decent groove and I think I managed to get the bevel fairly decent.
 
Okay as promised here are some pics after tonights filing session. I pulled the tape off the handle area because I wanted to be able to get a good look at how the plunge lines look.

Knife001.jpg


Knife002.jpg
 
What's the deal with that humpy spot on the spine??? :confused:

I didn't see that anywhere in the design process pics.
 
Well, if you would have asked me I would have said don't do that. :)

edited to say I know nobody asked me.... I'sa just say'n. ;)
 
Last edited:
Okay am I screwing this thing up or what? I used a marker tonight to check my bevels and I have yet to run the file across and have it make a perfectly flat cut. Should I have the bevels perfectly flat at this point or is it near impossible to do with a hand file and no jig?
 
I'm pushing from the plunge to the tip. I thought I had a pretty good system going. I even put tape on the floor to mark my foot positions once I thought I was "in the groove". I'm holding the file handle basically against my hip and using my entire body to move the file rather than just my arms. I figured keeping the file "locked" against my body would be better than trying to totally freehand it.
 
Looks good so far Matt. It takes time, so go slow, and when one step is done, move to a finer file, then sandpaper. No need to get things absolutely straight on the coarse file, you will sneak up on it as you progress up the files and grits. Going too close to finished in the coarse stages will mean you will go too far in the finishing stages. This is the number one error that causes a knife edge to end up too thin, or requires the blade being made narrower to allow for enough edge meat in HT. The rule is - thickness of a nickel in filing...thickness of a dime in sanding.


The dip in the spine is the thumb rest. It will be in the handle, and flow out onto the spine. It works well and is not hot on the thumb. On a knife without a guard, I consider some sort of grip control a must. This knife will be used for hunting and field dressing, so grip will be important.
Stacy
 
bladsmth said:
The rule is - thickness of a nickel in filing...thickness of a dime in sanding.
Click to expand...


Ummm then Houston we have a problem. I'm easily at a dimes thickness or thinner at the moment and I haven't even gotten to sanding. I was probably close to a dime in the first night or 2 of filing and I barely had a plunge line at that point.
 
Last edited:
Okay in my semi-panic state to not mess this knife up and/or wind up with a paring knife by the time the blade gets cut down. I put the files down and hit it with some sand paper. Pics so I can get some input, I'm guessing the edge is way too thin at this point right?

Knife003.jpg

Knife004.jpg

Knife005.jpg

Knife007.jpg

Knife006.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top