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Which do you like best? Or dislike least...
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Nessmuk sketches
- Thread starter David LaFerney
- Start date
I don't really care for any of those David. But just because it just doesn't suit me doesn't mean someone else wouldn't love it. And there's a good chance that I might like the finished knife a whole lot better than the sketches.
The best constructive criticism I can offer is to try a straight horizontal grind line similar to #3 but at about the middle of the blade, and use a much smaller radius at the plunge. That's going to be tricky with the amount of belly you have but I think it would look much better. Also I think a swedge or false edge on the back of the blade would make all the difference in the world. I'd try it from the tip back to about the widest part of the blade. Also I'd like to see the handle rivets evenly spaced and something about the point at the end of the handle bugs me. I feel like the handle on drawing #1 is the best shape but I'd like to see that hard corner rounded off substantially.
That said, you're making it for yourself so do whatever turns you on! You might thoroughly hate my designs :barf: hahaha
The best constructive criticism I can offer is to try a straight horizontal grind line similar to #3 but at about the middle of the blade, and use a much smaller radius at the plunge. That's going to be tricky with the amount of belly you have but I think it would look much better. Also I think a swedge or false edge on the back of the blade would make all the difference in the world. I'd try it from the tip back to about the widest part of the blade. Also I'd like to see the handle rivets evenly spaced and something about the point at the end of the handle bugs me. I feel like the handle on drawing #1 is the best shape but I'd like to see that hard corner rounded off substantially.
That said, you're making it for yourself so do whatever turns you on! You might thoroughly hate my designs :barf: hahaha
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David,
I tend to agree with TW. You have SO MANY curves going on. I think they are fighting each other. I feel you might benefit from simplifying the handle for two reasons. First, aesthetically, that design is a roller coaster ride! You have to take a comment like that with a grain of salt though. As TW said, this is YOUR knife. You make it any way you want. But reason two might be a bit more compelling. This is because you will likely have to use a knife like this in various different grips. If you keep the handle a more simple shape it will allow the user rotate the grip without encountering any uncomfortable contours or creating a hot spot when working. I would lean towards one of the higher grinds for better cutting performance. Plus, I just really am not a fan of scandi grinds. Refer back to reason #1 (who cares what I think, the knife isn't for me).
Here is my take on the Nessie as an example of how I simplified the handle:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1281170-12-done!?p=14684048#post14684048
And take a look here at how Bob Loveless "handled" it (knife #s 17 & 28):
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1303423-Bob-Loveless-41-Individual-Knives-Collage
I tend to agree with TW. You have SO MANY curves going on. I think they are fighting each other. I feel you might benefit from simplifying the handle for two reasons. First, aesthetically, that design is a roller coaster ride! You have to take a comment like that with a grain of salt though. As TW said, this is YOUR knife. You make it any way you want. But reason two might be a bit more compelling. This is because you will likely have to use a knife like this in various different grips. If you keep the handle a more simple shape it will allow the user rotate the grip without encountering any uncomfortable contours or creating a hot spot when working. I would lean towards one of the higher grinds for better cutting performance. Plus, I just really am not a fan of scandi grinds. Refer back to reason #1 (who cares what I think, the knife isn't for me).
Here is my take on the Nessie as an example of how I simplified the handle:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1281170-12-done!?p=14684048#post14684048
And take a look here at how Bob Loveless "handled" it (knife #s 17 & 28):
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1303423-Bob-Loveless-41-Individual-Knives-Collage
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- Feb 4, 2015
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Thanks for the feedback - I kind of agree with you. Although for better or worse I do like highly sculpted handles, even if broomsticks do make better knives. As in puukkos FE, I'm not calling anyones knife a broomstick!
I find that at the time I do a sketch I might really dig it, but Sometimes after I sleep on it a few days not so much. I'm not ready to give up on this design though - it's based on some knives I really do like.
As a matter of fact after reviewing my bookmarks of inspirational knife pictures it's embarrassingly close to an adventure sworn guide (do an image search and you will see what I mean.) But I'm a bit less embarrassed after I noticed that an adventure sworn bushcrafter is awfully like an Alan Wood/Ray Mears woodlore. lots of derivative work in the knifemaking world I guess - even by respected makers.
I4MARK - that's a beautiful take on the Nessmuk style you created there, and I hadn't seen that gallery of Bob Loveless knives so thanks for that link.
Back to the drawing board...
I find that at the time I do a sketch I might really dig it, but Sometimes after I sleep on it a few days not so much. I'm not ready to give up on this design though - it's based on some knives I really do like.
As a matter of fact after reviewing my bookmarks of inspirational knife pictures it's embarrassingly close to an adventure sworn guide (do an image search and you will see what I mean.) But I'm a bit less embarrassed after I noticed that an adventure sworn bushcrafter is awfully like an Alan Wood/Ray Mears woodlore. lots of derivative work in the knifemaking world I guess - even by respected makers.
I4MARK - that's a beautiful take on the Nessmuk style you created there, and I hadn't seen that gallery of Bob Loveless knives so thanks for that link.
Back to the drawing board...
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Dave,
I think the key phrases in your response were "I do like highly sculpted handles" and "I'm not ready to give up on this design". Excellent! As a maker you have to trust your instincts and you have to try things that are different from what everybody else is doing. When you head back to the drawing board, think "tweaks" not "redesign".
I think the key phrases in your response were "I do like highly sculpted handles" and "I'm not ready to give up on this design". Excellent! As a maker you have to trust your instincts and you have to try things that are different from what everybody else is doing. When you head back to the drawing board, think "tweaks" not "redesign".
Hengelo_77
Basic Member
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- 6,291
I think the up swept poit at the end of the handle will get in the way
I don't agree. I think the point will be outside of where your hand would normally touch.
I whole-heartedly agree. Flavor is all about individuals having different tastes and expressing their ideas. Life would be pretty bland if we all agreed that there was a single "best" and we all kept strictly to that.
Also I think it's important to note that looking at a 2D drawing is actually a poor representation of the actual 3D object. We hardly ever see a knife perfectly straight on as drawn and the contours that we can't draw are every bit as important as the ones we can. Reflections and shadows have a huge impact on aesthetics as well. I would also recommend making some tweaks on what you've got there rather than tossing it out completely.