My New Fixed Blade Pattern For [Light Backpacking]

To Redsquid about : By "straight blades / knives," you would be referring to a wharncliffe or a sheepsfoot, right?

No, no, I wasn't clear enough about this : I mean a knife where handle and blade are in a straight line. Böker has almost made a signature out of the "banana" shaped knives. While it is ergonomic and gives great power for downward cuts, this curved shape is less versatile. In my eyes, nothing beats a simple straight pattern like the Mora Classic (without guard, please) as far as versatility goes. I am not a fan of lambsfoot or wharncliff blades (despite their advantages) : I love my blades with belly. Your drop point is really nice, I'd just like it an inch longer.
 
I agree about the straight spine modification, just seems better to me than the curve. The 1/8" stock might be a bit heavy, with good steel a slight reduction in thickness would be fine on something this size. With my hand size (medium-small) a 3 3/4" grip is all I need for a good full hold, but I agree that the handle is as important as the blade. I would also draw the back screw-hole closer to the end than it is currently located, just my opinion.

What about the scales? Just opening another can of worms to help out....

In the end you may change it a few times, so doing it in a "lesser" steel is a good way to go. You could even go with a carbon steel to "save money" initially (not saving time, is it?), at least until you have it exactly as it needs to be. I like the original shape & size just fine, but ultimately it is your decision to make about what is pleasing to the eye, comfortable & works as it needs to. I really like the concept of a purpose-built knife for a functional design you will use on the trail.
 
Faiaoga said:
From what I remember about Colin Fletcher, his gear list included a fixed blade steel knife. I find it hard to imagine backpacking without some kind of sturdy fixed blade for emergency use - making a signal fire, cutting stretcher poles,building a shelter. The knife should not be needed, but it will be important if the need occurs.;)
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He did indeed carry a full sized Marbles hunting knife during his "Thousand Mile Summer" (and all sorts of other things he never used) but after that he downsized to the SAK Classic and broke off the scissors and nail file leaving just the diminutive blade. Most seasoned backpackers that I have met don't take more than a little folder. I feel better with a small fixed as it is easier for me to use in all around food prep with fresh foods. Folks who take freeze dried meals might choose differently. As for making a fire, a little knife does just fine for me, been there done that but that is also why I prefer a small FB over something that folds.

I think the overall size of the OP's knife is excellent but I prefer full flat or convex blade grinds. My favorite for the last couple years is the Enzo necker with the full flat grind. They take that grind down to zero and it is one of most slicey blades I carry. It is similar in size to Andy's creation up there but it does have a skeletonized tang for lighter weight. It is sturdy enough to take some light abuse and dexterous enough to do anything I need to do backpacking with proper gear. I see no need for a huge knife or a long blade though we all do have our own perceptions and uses.

Andy I think you are on a good track. Keep it as light and slicey as possible and that will be good to go.
 
About handle length: I wear a size SM glove, so I tend to size handles accordingly. I can wrap four fingers around this.

I do like to build a campfire. However, I don't find myself splitting kindling. I find dry sticks in various thicknesses, at campsites where the fire wood has not been over-foraged.

For handle materials, natural wood and diamondwood work fine for me. Diamondwood does not have to be eye-burning carnival colors. My Buck Vantage is black/grey diamonwood, and here is a deep red diamondwood:

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I will probably make these with G-10 or micarta, since those are popular materials (and pretty much indescructible).

I found some textured G10 at Jantz. I like how it looks and feels, although it is heavy. I recently combined it with peened brass pins like this:

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Walnut and brass. Some say it's boring, but I don't think so at all.

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Ebony and stainless pins create a nice contrast. I personally do not find it boring.

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I like wood too. I like the Kephart the most.
Instead of asking our opinion, you should be making it, & telling us why you made that design.
 
I didn't have the backpacking experience some here do. Still IMO a small fixed blade is worth the weight.
My go to is my BK11.
I like what you have designed. Have you though about a tapered tang.
 
For handle materials, natural wood and diamondwood work fine for me. Diamondwood does not have to be eye-burning carnival colors. My Buck Vantage is black/grey diamonwood, and here is a deep red diamondwood:

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I really like the knife shown in the red dymondwood, that looks like the perfect backpacking knife to me.
 
I tend to align with pinnah when it comes to backpacking and weight / blades. With that in mind, here's a thought. Let's say you thin out or even skeletonize the handle / tang. Then wrap in para-cord. Great backpacking combo! A light knife, handle, and cordage all in one. I can't tell you how many times I've used light cordage to replace a broken shoelace or help rig a tent, hammock, or tarp. Some has come on every backpacking and mtn climbing trip I've ever been on.

In my prev post I suggested a bit more blade length might be nice... but in thinking through my real life use cases... I've never needed more than a couple of inches of blade.

I recently picked up these two little guys (pic ripped from the interwebs). I was tweaking the edges last night and I was thinking of wrapping those handles and making one of them my backpacking blade (along with my Leatherman PST).

 
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Reconfigured the handle, roughed in the bevels.
Blade: 2 3/4"
OAL: 6 1/2"

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Back to the original design by the OP - but more blade length, less blade height, more of a slicer than a chopper (it is a small knife) and the option to attach more handle if one finds the need. 3-1/4" blade and a 4" handle is (to me) the sweet spot but I would rather have a longer cutting edge. I can always (in a certain situation) lash on more handle if I feel the need. I think that the average back packer, weekend hiker or even an AT thru-hiker can stand an extra 1/2 oz. of steel for the usefulness of the tool. I'd rather carry less of something else. Good start though redsquid2:thumbup:
 
I like the design. I would use it. But, I wouldn't worry about an ounce or two. Maybe it is just me, but two ounces, or even a pound don't mean much when you are packing, it is what you carry that matters the most. I would rather carry what you got there than a 13 inch bowie. I'd rather carry that, a folder, and a machete than a big thick bowie. Just a preference I guess.
 
I would like to see a more balanced blade to handle ratio. I like the design.
 
Lots of feedback here. Thanks, everybody. Wide variety of preferences.

I mostly backpack with a Buck Vantage Small, blade length of 2.5". I know a petite woman who hikes with a SRK type fixed blade clipped onto her shoulder strap, even though her overall load is super light.
 
Rally cool, I would still round or give a little more curve to the bottom side of the handle so it conforms to the natural shape of the hand. Good job.
 
Last Saturday, I flew to Oklahoma, and then on Monday, with relatives, buried my wonderful, amazing dad. In the company of supportive friends, I have been reflecting on his 78 years of wonder, creativity, compassion and generosity. In my memory, he inhabits the streets, homes, fields, hills and gullies of southern Oklahoma and northern Texas. He tills and plants a garden, embarks on a camping or cycling adventure, looks around in the trees and brush for squirrels or rabbits, his old .22 resting on his right arm. He he dives into the mysterious waters below Price's Falls, then persists in urging me to do the same, though I am convinced there are deadly snakes in there. He casts a fishing line, or entertains children with his wonderful silliness. He cooks up something horrible in the kitchen, from ingredients that should never be combined ever, or he cooks up his homemade pizza, which is more appetizing than anything ever invented. He spins that disc of homemade pizza dough on a finger over his head, as I am sure he did in a restaurant in Davenport, Iowa, while working his way through chiropractic school. My being has been permeated and surrounded at times with loneliness. Sometimes I don't know what to do, except "chop wood and carry water" for just this moment, loneliness and all.

Needless to say, knifemaking was set aside for a few days. On the other hand, I tend to get busy with projects when a loved one passes. So yesterday I resumed with this design project for a full-tang backpacker.

There is such a wide range of opinions on this thread, about what knife is appropriate for backpacking. I think I am going to stick with the basic profile shown in my most recent post here, because it reflects the kind of backpacking I do. I can get by with a cutting edge of 1 3/4", and I don't need anything longer than 2 1/2". I do mostly three things with a knife, when backpacking: cut paracord, slice sausage or cheese, and whittle an occasional extra tent peg. I want this knife to come in at under 6.5" OAL, while still allowing someone with small hands to wrap four fingers around it. I also want it to be useful for occasional, minor woodcarving, and weigh less than 3 oz.

I shy away from cord wrapped handles, because I want something more supportive up against that webbing between thumb and forefinger. And I ALWAYS have at least 30 feet of paracord in my pack. So I will make this first unit of my new pattern with comfy wood scales.

Update: I added a slight upward curve to the underside of the handle, just because this improves the appearance.

For heat treat, I will be shipping this one, along with nine other various patterns, to Post Falls, Idaho.

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Sorry for the loss of your father.
Maybe name the knife design after him?
 
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