New Removable Blade Design Kaizen Splitblade

[Pittknife]

Hi All,

I released my first custom design splitblade a while ago and I got tremendous feedback on it, unfortunately I closed my books long ago and the price is cost prohibitive for most people. So I decided to make a midtech version that most can own.

I just didn't want to do another midtech, I wanted something special that hasn't been done before so I decided to change the design and make the usable edge a blade insert that could be easily changed.

After a lot of design, testing and finally prototyping it is done. I plan to sale the base knife and then offer blade inserts for sale after. I named it the Kaizen Spliteblade with RBT (removable blade technology)

Users will be able to change out their blade insert to get different blade profiles such as tanto, american tanto, wharnie, recurve etc. I'll also have some special damascus inserts later on after this run. Blade rides on caged bearings.

The knife is being made by friend Reate using either cpm154 or s35vn .240" thick done in a compound hollow grind. The custom blade inserts like in the picture below will be ground by me with a 6" hollow grind (I did the recurve in the picture).

The handles are 6al-4v blasted and stonewashed for this run.

I will start taking pre-orders soon so you can contact me directly for any questions. Thank you to all those that have supported and helped me on this project!

Below are some pics of the Kaizen from CAD to proto and the original Splitblades. For videos you can go to my IG page, I still don't know how to post videos here...

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[Boston_Strong]

The picture links don't seem to be working


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[Grandmaster]

Email sent

 

[stonproject]

That's a crazy design! I'm interested for sure

 

[Pittknife]

Thanks guys, can you see the pictures? I'm not very good at taking or posting pictures...

 

[NJBillK]

Pics are working now.

How does the blade secure in the "spine"?
- I have an idea, but...
What is the planned usage of this knife?
How hard have you pushed this to achieve failure?
Where did the failure occur?

It seems like it could be a niche item, more along the lines of an edc type Havalon.
I do have to say it would be nice to have one with two or three blades and after a long day swap the blade for a fresh edge and touch up my edges on the weekend. Even having a spare in the glove box if the knife is used as a work knife.

 

[CornSyrup]

I am not sure if I feel positive about this design. To me it seems like a case of unique and different not necessarily meaning better or even on par with existing offerings. I do not think that the concept of replaceable blades, executed in the way that you have done on your design, is cost effective or practical. Since your grind is restricted to the very edge of the blade, I can't imagine cutting performance being anything more than decent. Moreover it seems like the gaps would catch on the material into which you are cutting constantly and of course trap dirt and other debris, possibly even large pieces of whatever you are cutting. Unless of course the knife is not intended to be used and merely intended to be a toy, with the feature of replaceable blades functioning as a curiosity for its own sake.

 

[Pittknife]

Pics are working now.

How does the blade secure in the "spine"?
- I have an idea, but...
What is the planned usage of this knife?
How hard have you pushed this to achieve failure?
Where did the failure occur?

It seems like it could be a niche item, more along the lines of an edc type Havalon.
I do have to say it would be nice to have one with two or three blades and after a long day swap the blade for a fresh edge and touch up my edges on the weekend. Even having a spare in the glove box if the knife is used as a work knife.

The planned usage is the same as any folder, only this one instead of losing edge performance or needing another shape you can replace the edge.

I have videos of some test on IG, I have pressed this to test tensile strength and the fact that the blade is .250" and the design of the interlocking columns it did not fail. The interlocking columns are fastened through the spine.

 

[unwisefool]

How much do the replacement blades cost?

Sent from my D6708 using Tapatalk

 

[Pittknife]

I am not sure if I feel positive about this design. To me it seems like a case of unique and different not necessarily meaning better or even on par with existing offerings. I do not think that the concept of replaceable blades, executed in the way that you have done on your design, is cost effective or practical. Since your grind is restricted to the very edge of the blade, I can't imagine cutting performance being anything more than decent. Moreover it seems like the gaps would catch on the material into which you are cutting constantly and of course trap dirt and other debris, possibly even large pieces of whatever you are cutting. Unless of course the knife is not intended to be used and merely intended to be a toy, with the feature of replaceable blades functioning as a curiosity for its own sake.

Better is always subjective and this design may not be to your liking. With current folder designs if something happens to your blade you will find it very difficult to get someone to make you a new blade because of the lock setup. It's easier to just make a new knife.

As far as edge sharpness goes I use a 6" hollow t provides a very sharp edge, and again instead of a regular folder where as you sharpen it more you lose some sharpness due to geometry. If you want a different blade you have to buy a new knife. This design you don't, so cost effectiveness is based on what factor? Paying $350-500 for individual knives or having one with a slightly higher up front cost and less in replacement blades over time ROI.

Gaps are in every folder knife, look at the gap between your blade and frame. If some debris gets in the gaps in the blade it is easily removable and cleaned.

If you are trying to chop down a tree I don't recommend using this or any folder for that purpose. This also is not meant as a toy, it is as sturdy as any folder.

 

[marcinek]

It's certainly an interesting design/engineering exercise. :thumbup: But if I want different blade shapes available, and/or "fresh blades"...I always could just stick a stockman or whittler in my pocket. Swap those blades out without any tools at all!

 

[Charlie Mike]

I been watching this develop. Very cool.