my first tactical knife 5160 and micarta

Knifemaker87

Knifemaker87

Joined
Jan 2, 2006
Messages
1,073
hey everybody!
have been on for a while.. calculus takes up knife time.

anyway.. this is a knife i designed in autocad (my first) and the guys at work cut it out of 1/4" 5160 on the water-jet.

specs:
14.25" oal
8.5" blade
1.5" wide
differentially hardened 5160 blade with hard etch and epoxy coating
natural canvas micarta scales
brass pins
kydex sheath with tek lok (still to be made)


it started out with green scales, but i messed them up.. so i had to use tan. i heavily etched the blade with a mixture of gun bluing and acid, after bead blasting it. but it wasnt quite dark enough. the paratrooper i am giving it to asked that it have a matte black blade. so while the paint will eventually come off in use.. it is still really dark underneath.

this is my first tactical knife, so feedback would be greatly appreciated.
thanks so much
DSC02963.jpg

DSC02964.jpg

DSC02965.jpg

thanks so much
~Chris
 
Looks like a tough knife, I like 5160. The finish looks good, I like natural micarta also.

Some things I would have done differently, and of course, my opinion is worth exactly what you have paid for it:

I would not have planned in the indentation on the spine of the blade towards the guard. That sharp corner looks like it would easily catch on things if the blade were shoved into.... something, like clothing or hard tissue.

I would beef up the holes in the guard. It doesn't look like there is much metal around those holes, and they might get damaged if banged against something hard.

I would reverse the shape of the handle, put the curve of the handle on the top rather than the bottom.

I like the finger indents, though, nice touch.

Andy
 
i like the design, and man is it BIG! definitely looks bigger in the hand. bummer the green micarta didnt work out... i like it better. i'd say the trooper is in for a great knife!

heath
 
You know I'm not a really big fan of tanto blade shapes but that knife is pretty bad ass. I would definitely sport that. You have skills Chris. :thumbup:
 
That is a monster of a Tanto with a nice , wicked point.

Good work. :thumbup:
 
Looks like you did a good job. But aren't you a metal pounder? You're not going mall-ninja on us are you? hee, hee :p:D
 
thanks guys!
i finished the sheath and sharpened it.. gonna get some pics..
*laughs* am a metal pounder, and will stay one, however, it was easier for the job just to go the mall ninja way *grins*

andrew..
i would have to agree with what you said. it was all stuff i thought after getting it cut out. i changed the drawing for the next one. i flipped the holes in the gaurd to fit the shape better, and gave them alot more meat. i also fixed the cut out approaching the gaurd, it is a much smoother transition, as it prolly would catch on stuff.

as for the handle curve.. i dont know.. i like it how it is.. it fits realllllly nice. but i might try it...
i really do appreciate you help!
thanks so much
~Chris
 
interesting Chris! I do prefer your traditional style ones tho'.
 
To be "jump certified" a knife has to have at least two points of retention. Keep that in mind when you make the sheath. Also, as previously mentioned, those sharp edges might catch on things at the most inopportune time. Other than that it looks good.
 
when you say "points of retention" you are refering to like a strap too. so as not only the friction of the kydex, but something else, to keep it from falling out. hmmm thats a good point. how do you think i could accomplish that on a sheath like that?
thanks for the feedback

spyken, i like the traditional stuff better too... but i was making it for a freind..
thanks so very much guys!
~Chris
 
Hi Chris, a couple rare earth magnets could be used to help friction retain it.
Have you ever Manganese phosphated or parkerized any metal? a small stainless tank and some aluminum oxide to sand blast the blade , plus the park fluid and you will be good to go on tactical blades. Gunkote finishes are baked on usually over parked finishes on guns, extremely durable, and fairly easy to do. Camo jobs are easy too.

The Knife is kick azz, no doubt. I do not like the krinkle finish though. Just me.
 
okay.. here are some better pics!
thanks
IMG_0790.jpg

IMG_0798.jpg

IMG_0819.jpg

IMG_0864.jpg

thanks for looking

original,
i will look into the magnets.
as for the krinkle.. it actually isnt krinkle, but rather a textured coating.. it is rough. and personally i would have left it dark gray.. but the guy i made it for wanted it black.. and the textured stuff is what i had.
thanks!
and here are some better pics:okay.. here are some better pics!
thanks

thanks for looking
 
My ever so humble opinion:

Stop it,

...and go back to your more traditional styles.:)

It is pretty cool, but...I can't quite make out the hamon when you do that:D
 
wow!! I actually love the top picture. Sweet poker:thumbup:
 
Shadetree Phenolics said:
My ever so humble opinion:

Stop it,

...and go back to your more traditional styles.:)

It is pretty cool, but...I can't quite make out the hamon when you do that:D
Click to expand...

*laughs*

i would have to agree with you here.. it isw was fast and fun to make.. but there is a real lack of.. beauty in the knife.. *grins* dont worry, i'm not becoming a mall ninja.
*grins*
thanks so much for the feedback guys!
~Chris
 
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