New pattern.

[Ed Kramp]

Built a prototype from a pattern my son sent to me a while back. I’m not sure what pattern it is but I really enjoyed collaborating with him to make it. I gave it to him as a birthday present. Although it’s not perfect I think I’d like to make another one in the future. I really like the overall symmetry and blade profile. The blade can be easily pinched and the blade tip sits nicely in the blade well. He mentioned the blade being a Zulu spear variant and the handle being similar to a “Native”.

any comments or ideas on the pattern style? Thanks in advance.

 

[afishhunter]

Good looking knife. Well done.

I like that the blade tang is below the liners when closed. Gives it a slimmer, well thought out look.

What is the cover material? I can't tell if its a burl wood of some sort, or an acrylic.

 

[Pinemoon]

That's an interesting piece
The blade does have a Zulu profile
https://agrussell.com/encyclopedia/blade-shapes

The handle is a bit like a gunstock, but not exactly.
Maybe call her a "Zulu Gunstock?"
Or Gunstock Zulu?

 

[hornetguy]

Very nice looking.... I like the blade shape. My only comment, and this is purely a personal preference, is that I don't like "angles" on knife handles. I would change the pommel area to "rounded", instead of having that angled pointed shape. Again, purely personal preference.
I also was curious about the handle material...

 

[joeradza]

Very interesting pattern. Please don’t take this as criticism because it’s not my knife and unless I designed it I don’t feel I have the right. I’m not a fan of the nail nick so far forward. I realize that’s a product of where it falls in relation to the handle. I would consider some combination of the blade being ever so slightly broader where the nick is and/or more of a cutout in the handle. That would eliminate the need for the nail nick.

 

[David Kramp]

This is great. Thank you the feedback on this pattern. I can give some details behind the design aspects I was trying to achieve with this prototype.

I’m a big fan of traditional and some of the more modern slipjoint folders. While designing it I used design elements from Oeser’s Native and the Dino. The somewhat gunstock look came from putting the knife in my hand and splitting the handle grip point between my middle and ring fingers.

I love the Zulu spear profile but also like a sheepsfoot and wharncliff points. I tried to meld those styles into one blade. I wanted the blade point angle to match perfectly with the pommel, hence the sharp angle. It may sound silly but I was also thinking the sharper point on the pommel could be used as a glass breaker, although that is such an astronomically rare instance. I have a Tesla and always feel leary about the electronics failing or worse the car catches on fire. Rounding the pommel would be nice too I think.

The front nail nick on the prototype was a ‘let’s see how it goes’ but I wanted a blade that I could pinch easily to open. That was accomplished and am super happy about that. I don’t even use the nail nick actually. So it could be deleted.

The covers are Marbled Carbon Fiber and cherry red g10 spacer.

I know this is a personal prototype and the comments are great and I’m happy most are positive. Overall it was a great experience to take a knife I dreamt up and have a cool Dad that made it a reality.

I’ll keep playing with designing knives. It’s been really fun.

 

[David Kramp]

sorry for the double post. Bad WiFi.

 

[David Kramp]

Very nice looking.... I like the blade shape. My only comment, and this is purely a personal preference, is that I don't like "angles" on knife handles. I would change the pommel area to "rounded", instead of having that angled pointed shape. Again, purely personal preference.
I also was curious about the handle material...

That’s funny. My dad wasn’t a big fan either. On the next one I may have him tweak the “angles”

Very interesting pattern. Please don’t take this as criticism because it’s not my knife and unless I designed it I don’t feel I have the right. I’m not a fan of the nail nick so far forward. I realize that’s a product of where it falls in relation to the handle. I would consider some combination of the blade being ever so slightly broader where the nick is and/or more of a cutout in the handle. That would eliminate the need for the nail nick.

I agree it can go without a nick now that I’ve been carrying it a few days. The pinch pull is perfect. Not too strong or too soft. It feels good in the pocket and the angles don’t seem to be an issue while handling. Time will tell and I’ve got some minor changes in mind.

 

[Ernie1980]

I really like the look overall and especially the blade shape! I agree with others above about rounding off the point but that is the only change I would make, including the nail nick. Even if it goes unused, I think a traditional knife without one looks odd.

 

[popedandy]

I think the point sets it apart from other knives. I like the unique look. It reminds me a bit of the angles on the handle of a coffin jack. I like the rest of handle shape as well. Nicely done!