New combat knife for SEAL

Knifemaker87

Knifemaker87

Joined
Jan 2, 2006
Messages
1,073
hey everybody,
this is a knife i have been working on for my cousin who is a SEAL. It is 1/4" thick 5160 steel with a textured matte finish for minimal reflection. Textured micarta handle 304 stainless flared tube "pins" It hasn't been sharpened yet as i haven't finished the sheath, but i wanted to put some pictures up.

Your comments and critiques would be greatly appreciated.

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thanks for looking
~Chris
 
He will love it. I hope he is safe and will continue to be so. Also thanks for his service to our fine country!
 
Is this his design? It looks great but I don't know if weight will be an issue. Where is the balance point?
 
Not trying to be a wise-ass but just wondering why you would use a tool steel given the nature of the environment these guys function in?
 
rkmoore said:
Is this his design? It looks great but I don't know if weight will be an issue. Where is the balance point?
Click to expand...

It was my design. I am sending it to him as a gift. What concerns do you have with the weight? that it will be too far forward or to far back? i havent measured the balance point exactly but the blade is almost perfectly balanced in the hand. it is a cutting knife not a chopping knife. it has a little bit of weight forward for slashing, but you can choke up on the blade (notice the size and shape of the choil) for even finer work if necessary.

Buffalohump said:
Not trying to be a wise-ass but just wondering why you would use a tool steel given the nature of the environment these guys function in?
Click to expand...

He is currently over in the sandbox, and the finish is very corrosion resistant. i would have used stainless however i cannot heat treat stainless. i wanted to make him something that he oculd use, and 5160 was the best option for the use out of what i had.
 
Right, it did occur to me after I posted that these days SEALs tend to spend a fair amount of time in places that have very little water... ;)

Knifemaker87 said:
He is currently over in the sandbox, and the finish is very corrosion resistant. i would have used stainless however i cannot heat treat stainless. i wanted to make him something that he oculd use, and 5160 was the best option for the use out of what i had.
Click to expand...
 
I really like the blade design. The tip looks like it would also work well for piercing and prying
if it where mine I would prefer a black micarta or G10 handle.
 
Looks great, but you forgot to beadblast the tube pins. Sure, the blade won't reflect light, but those pins could. That might be something to consider.
 
Looks great to me! I would be tickled pink to get it!

5160 will be a great steel for a hard use knife. There is a reason so many use it!
 
He is a leftie?

5160 is def a good choice for this. Thick stock there.
I would add some serration on top of the spine, after the top palm notch.
After i saw a Japanese carving knife with chisel grind, i do think an mini-tanto point on the tip will reinforce the penetrative strength.
A good all-rounder; prybar and fighting knife.
 
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That is really awesome, and so cool of you to make this for your cousin, I am sure he will really appreciate it.

I am curious, how long is it overall and how long is the blade?


Post #123...
 
Great looking knife, I really like the design and execution of this. Will be interested to see the sheath when it's ready.
 
JayGoliath said:
He is a leftie?

5160 is def a good choice for this. Thick stock there.
I would add some serration on top of the spine, after the top palm notch.
After i saw a Japanese carving knife with chisel grind, i do think an mini-tanto point on the tip will reinforce the penetrative strength.
A good all-rounder; prybar and fighting knife.
Click to expand...

why do you ask if he is a lefty? the blade is symmetrical, not chisel ground. the serration is a great idea, i will give it a try. What do you mean by a "mini tanto tip"? it sounds great but i am having a hard time picturing what you mean


thanks everybody!
it isnt a surprise, i asked if he would like a knife, but didnt give him any indication of what it was. the bead blasting of the tubes i a great idea. the only problem is that i cant take knives in to work, and dont have a sand blaster. i may be able to etch them though to cut the shine down. i will be making a kydex sheath with slots for attachment so he can put it whereever he wants on his MOLLE gear.

i will get some dimensions up as soon as i can, and certainly before i get the sheath done.

i really do appreciate the criticism as it helps me make a better knife.
thanks again
~Chris
 
Knifemaker87 said:
It was my design. I am sending it to him as a gift. What concerns do you have with the weight? that it will be too far forward or to far back? i havent measured the balance point exactly but the blade is almost perfectly balanced in the hand. it is a cutting knife not a chopping knife. it has a little bit of weight forward for slashing, but you can choke up on the blade (notice the size and shape of the choil) for even finer work if necessary.
Click to expand...

Sorry if my comment came across as overly critical. But weight is always an issue when you're carrying a heavy pack + weapons + communications etc. My brother in law is back from Afghanistan now and his biggest complaint about gear is how heavy it is. That's not to say that your cousin will not appreciate what you've done for him. I know I would!

It's a great looking knife and a very generous gesture on your part. I hope he uses it in good health and returns home safely.
 
this is one badass knife bro.
 
Mr.moss whats you email i have a few questions about your knives i'd like to discuss over email
 
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