New one, Mini Drop Point, input?

jonnymac44

jonnymac44

Joined
Sep 27, 2007
Messages
7,680
Well I'm just about finished grinding a new one I drew up a little while back. It's about 6" overall and I'm calling it simply my mini drop point for now. It's .178 thick D2 tool steel from Bohler. In the drawing you can see the line where I planned on putting a swedge, but now I'm not sure if I should. I'm thinking it looks pretty good as is, but I'm still tempted grind that top edge a bit. What do you guys think?

Thanks!

Model5MiniDropPoint.jpg
 
Looking good as is but I do agree that a swedge would really make it nice. The only thing I'd be worried about is messing up that beautiful grind. However if you're feeling brave or just don't have two left hands like me I'd say go for it. If not you can always play it safe and file it in. Either way, it looks great so far!
 
we have similar tastes jonny. the fixed version of the folder im making looks a lot like that, right down to the swedge. mine is just missing the index finger bump. ill post a picture when i get home from work.
 
With the grind it has, I wouldn't swedge it now, not sure it would look right or for that matter serve a lot of purpose as the grind at least looks like it thins it out out to the tip anyway.

Just to my eye, I would bring the tang up more, thinner from the first finger groove through the second, leaving a bit of a dropped knob to the back, about as deep as it is now.

Horrible work I know, but roughly something like this.

doodle.jpg


The only reason I suggest this is with a smaller, stout blade, at least what I like, is a very solid first finger groove to really lock on. Also it balances out the width/stubbiness of the blade.

I have no real clue, just taking shots, curious what others would think. I've only seen a couple guys do the deeper finger grooves on the short stubbies and always liked it.
 
I can see what you're saying:thumbup: I only have two slight problems......A, with a sub 6" knife I wanted the handle to do a decent job of filling the hand, and B.......I just finished drilling the pin holes for this one!:o, so a bit late to change it now. I'm going to try doing six 1/8" copper tubes for pins and will have a 1/4" copper tube for a lanyard at the butt. I will work with some deeper finger grooves on one of the next ones for sure, Kingsqueak. I already have three more blanks same size and thickness ready to go to do more of this model.

Thanks for the input guys! Tim, show me some pics of that fixed blade. Erik, I want to see what you're working on!

Model5MiniDropPoint2.jpg




kingsqueak said:
With the grind it has, I wouldn't swedge it now, not sure it would look right or for that matter serve a lot of purpose as the grind at least looks like it thins it out out to the tip anyway.

Just to my eye, I would bring the tang up more, thinner from the first finger groove through the second, leaving a bit of a dropped knob to the back, about as deep as it is now.

Horrible work I know, but roughly something like this.

doodle.jpg


The only reason I suggest this is with a smaller, stout blade, at least what I like, is a very solid first finger groove to really lock on. Also it balances out the width/stubbiness of the blade.

I have no real clue, just taking shots, curious what others would think. I've only seen a couple guys do the deeper finger grooves on the short stubbies and always liked it.
Click to expand...
 
alb1k said:
looking really good, Jonny. Make a pair, one with the swedge, one without!
Click to expand...

I'm gonna make a bunch!:D

First I'm going to grind out one of the larger ones, though. I want to see which is more comfy in the hand.
 
Here's mine. It's actually quite a bit different and closer to 7" but hey. This one entails a couple of firsts for me. First attempt at a swedge and a first go at jimping. I went a lil crazy with the weight reduction holes.

20886601.jpg


Tim.

P.S I've also started a daddy drop point that i'll have to show you some time.
 
Tiiiiiiiim said:
Here's mine. It's actually quite a bit different and closer to 7" but hey. This one entails a couple of firsts for me. First attempt at a swedge and a first go at jimping. I went a lil crazy with the weight reduction holes.

20886601.jpg


Tim.

P.S I've also started a daddy drop point that i'll have to show you some time.
Click to expand...

Tim,
That's looking really good!:thumbup: I like the shape cut out of the rear of the handle. It's a bit hard to see, but from here it looks like the jimping on the spine turned out really well. What exactly did you use to cut it in? Did you eyeball the separation of the grooves?

Very nice job so far!
 
Thanks Jonny. The little scalloped out bit on the back has featured on all my knives so far in different degrees. Actually on this one it's probably a bit of a mistake because you hand actually rests on it and would probably feel a bit awkward in prolonged use. I did the jimping the easy way with a checkering file. I really like the fine jimping, it's really grippy but not harsh on your thumb like some bigger, wider spaced styles.

Tim.
 
Sorry to Hijack your thread Johnny,

Tim where did you get your Checkering file from mate? I went to the adelaide show on the weekend (post on Lav) and was talking to John Foxwell about them and I want one. Did you get it in Aus of OS

Matt
 
Nah, I got it online from overseas. I just shipped around online until i found the one i wanted at the cheapest price. The ones i looked at online in Australia were heaps more expensive as usual.

P.S sorry Jonny i never actually expressed my opinion about your knife. Apart from saying we have similar tastes which obviously means your knife looks awesome. haha. But serious, looks good and i reckon you should go with the swedge.
 
I quite like the shape of your one, I went 7" with my small knife. Not tried one with that many pins though.
Richard
PainterPete2.jpg
 
Tinbasher said:
I quite like the shape of your one, I went 7" with my small knife. Not tried one with that many pins though.
Richard
PainterPete2.jpg
Click to expand...

Nice lookin' knife Richard:thumbup: I'm hoping I'll get everything lined up ok, I haven't done one with that many pins yet either:o

Tim, thanks buddy:thumbup::D
 
Jonny, first off, let me say I like what you have so far. Very clean and nice grind line. When you're talking about making a user, I think simple is best.

Now as to the swedge, what do you intend for the knife to be used for? If it's going to be used as a sort of everyday carry type knife, then I'd like the swedge there to aid in penetration. If you intend more of a skinning knife, then I'd shy away from the swedge.

For aesthetics alone, I like the swedge! :D

Tobin
 
tobinsmith said:
Jonny, first off, let me say I like what you have so far. Very clean and nice grind line. When you're talking about making a user, I think simple is best.

Now as to the swedge, what do you intend for the knife to be used for? If it's going to be used as a sort of everyday carry type knife, then I'd like the swedge there to aid in penetration. If you intend more of a skinning knife, then I'd shy away from the swedge.

For aesthetics alone, I like the swedge! :D

Tobin
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input, Tobin.
This is geared more toward everyday carry with utility in mind. Not intended so much as a hunter. Maybe I'll go ahead and swedge it. I can always make another one without, right?
Thanks for the compliments.

Jonny
 
Well, today was productive, but not as much as I would have liked. As I suspected I made some work for myself when I drilled this one for a thong tube and six pins. Pretty darn hard to get that all lined up when drilling handle slabs. I'm sure there is a trick but I haven't figured it out yet. I've done it several ways in the past but that was on knives that just had two pins. This is a bit tougher for sure. I'll get it eventually but I think I'll just set aside my bent copper tubing and forget about the handle on this one for a few days so I can start fresh. First pair of handle slabs I may have to trash too:(
 
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