New trail/pack knife

NickWheeler

NickWheeler

Joined
Dec 3, 1999
Messages
9,437
Hey guys- So I've had a couple catastrophic failures in the shop lately, so I needed something simple and easy to finish during down time (you know, while orders are tempering, after 11pm, etc.) to decrompress.

Angi and I go out in the woods a lot, and I wanted something to throw in the pack, but could also be sent to deer camp, the top desk drawer, whatever. :)

So this is what I drew up... Simple as simple does--- small, fairly pointy--- thinly ground O1 at 60Rc, built in finger guard (no, this does NOT count as an integral! ;) ), Cocobolo scales, Corby bolts, and an 8oz leather pouch sheath. It's hard to see in the pics, but I did round out the edges of the little guard, so it is finger friendly. ;)


Any thoughts??? :)
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I think that looks great, just about perfect for a light
hunting knife. would be proud to own that one for sure.
 
Man, I like that a lot Nick. It would be great to have a pocket sheath for it.
 
Looks perfect for what you intended Nick.

Perhaps the only downside would be O1 steel, as it is more prone to oxidation than other choices? It sure takes a GREAT edge though!

Peter
 
Nick,

That's a seriously cute little knife. The swedged "cliplet" really sets it off.

Proof that clean design and execution is the heart of the matter.

BTW, those are some really nasty looking hands. Let's clean those up before we photograph them again!

Yer pal John
 
I like everything about it 'cept the guard.
Hope you guys are well and happy! Nice to see you in here from time to time.
 
I like it. I've been wanting to do something similar that didn't have a press fit guard and sculpted handle. You know, lower price point kinda knife.
 
Very nice Nick. Looks like a good all around using knife and I like the mini guard and mini clip. Got to agree with John though, gnarly hands Bubba. :eek:
Brion
 
Thanks guys :)

Mike, that's exactly what I've been thinking too. Of course I want to do higher end stuff as well... but making some of these would be nice to help balance things out.

John and John, huge compliments---THANK YOU! :)

Lorien, so what don't you like about the little finger guard?

Thanks Brion! Oh, and I was impressed with how clean I got my hands before I took these! LMAO. I thought about being tricky and saying Angi did the hand modeling, but you guys would have known better! She did offer though. Maybe I should have taken her up on that! :D

As far as oxidation, I definitely agree--- I think the design as is, with CPM 154 would work well, or keeping the O1 and doing a mortised handle. For a little knife that I'm not going to do a good job taking car of--- it will definitely end up with some staining. The last time we climbed Mt. St. Helens we had a bottle of Gatorade break inside the pack--- so that would be a good time for ss. ;) :)

Thanks folks! :)
 
NickWheeler said:
Lorien, so what don't you like about the little finger guard?
Click to expand...

I'm glad you asked!:)
I like the curve where the guard meets the inside of the handle, and it also looks like it protrudes enough for keeping your hands safe, but the front of it bugs me. The 90 angle where it meets the ricasso is a flow killer imo. Looks like material was removed from the guard in order to diminish the guard's presence, so it kind of looks cut in half if that makes any sense. Now, it could be that the rounded front of the handle scale brings more attention to it, and if that's the case I wonder what a more angular, squared off front of the handle scale would do in conjunction with the existing guard shape.

The knife has a beautiful profile and I can't help but see that, but only by nixing a guard altogether. But I also appreciate the pragmatism of having a guard. Guards are trouble, no matter what kind of construction method is employed, they are difficult stylistically and balancing that against function really makes them a bitch.

I have zero problems with O1 for a knife like this. An etched finish might encourage a protective patina.
 
How about that, discussion and polite/constructive criticism...!!! ;) :D

BF is still a great place :D :cool:

I know exactly what you're seeing. When I orginally drew this one up, I had planned on using Micarta or CF and was going to run it all the way up to the top of the guard and go straight across- so it would look more like an actual guard. When I decided to finish this off, I had used CF on a handful of knives, so I decided to go with wood... and I don't trust wood for those little, this cross sections like that.

So we're more on the same page here than you thought. :D

Thanks for the input!!! :)
 
:thumbup:ehhhh!
 
Thin To Win.
Should be a real slicer, Nick.
Great to see knives from you ! :thumbup:
Love the cocobolo.

Doug
 
That's pretty sweet Nick. I like that little "swedge-ette.

O-1 is a pretty good steel. Sure, it will stain, but so will your whitey-tighteys if you don't clean them occasionally.

Robert
 
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