New Zoe folder.. ideas appreciated

zoe crist

zoe crist

Joined
Jun 7, 2009
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I have posted this folder to get some ideas from people on the design element of it. I was a little unsure of using the mokume and damascus together. At first it was going to be half and half damascus and mokume but it felt a little heavy. I was worried that it would look a little "patch worked" using three different materials.. so i thought I would see what other folks think and I am open to critiques and suggestions...The mokume shows up a lot better in real life. i didnt get a good shot of it here, and also after sitting for a week the copper has aged nicely and shows much darker..

Damascus Mokume Feather Folder
1095/15n20 Blade Steel
.050" Titanium Liners
Damascus and Mokume Bolster
Stabilized Amboina Burl Scales
Jeweled Thumbstub with CZ
Damascus_mokume_full.jpg
 
Personally I think it would look better with both bolsters in damascus.

Nice folder by the way.:thumbup:

Kind regards,

Jos
 
are you looking for feedback on the overall design, or the materials selection?
 
Thanks Jos..

I am looking for critques on any aspect. materials construction design.. Anything is greatly appreciated.. i have a thick skin :D
 
zoe crist said:
At first it was going to be half and half damascus and mokume but it felt a little heavy. I was worried that it would look a little "patch worked" using three different materials.. so i thought I would see what other folks think and I am open to critiques and suggestions...
Click to expand...

I like it, but I agree that it does look patchworked; I don't like the three handle materials that much. Maybe do both Damascus bolsters like said above, or just don't do a back bolster and extend the wood all the way back?

But not to criticize, this looks fantastic overall, and your fighter a few threads down....WOW that damascus pattern is AMAZING.
 
Jos said:
Personally I think it would look better with both bolsters in damascus.

Nice folder by the way.:thumbup:

Kind regards,

Jos
Click to expand...

+1 I agree with Jos. I think it would look great with the rear bolster matching the front. Nice overall shape and great looking damascus on the blade.

Peter
 
:thumbup:+2 or 3 on the bolsters matching.

Beautiful work regardless!:)
 
the only straight lines on this knife are where the bolsters meet the wood, and I find that jarring, materials selections aside. A rounded interface might provide more harmony, either that or add some straight lines to the profile of the handle.

In particular, the rounded top of the front bolster isn't particularly appealing to me. I feel that the handle should provide purchase for the thumb, not the spine of the blade. If you allowed the top of the handle to flow into the spine of the blade, it might provide one more straight line and take care of that practical consideration that I mentioned. That straight line might play better with your bolster treatment.

Damascus_mokume_full.jpg


The diagonal line in the picture represents where you could potentially meet the mokume to the damascus, taking wood out of the picture all together. To save weight, skeletonizing the liners and relieving material from the inside of the scales might do the trick.

I think that it's a really tough balance to integrate straight and curved lines. But if harmony can be found, then you have a winner.

Pattern welding steel is obviously a major strength of yours, as this pattern and others I've seen from your shop are quite excellent:thumbup:
 
Thanks for your thoughts. The line you drew on the handle is the exact line I had where the mokume and damascus would meet. i originally built it that way and then cut the mokume away and put in the wood.. next time i will go the other way.. thanks again for all the ideas !!
 
I think the damascus is real cool and the knife appears well made. I would eliminate mokume because for my personal taste as a collector, I don't go for anything with it as a material. I love rear damascus bolsters that match the main bolster. I agree with lorien that the top of the main bolster could be higher up. Maybe not as square as he drew it but closer to the spine of the blade like that.
 
I very much like the blade and the way the damascuss pattern matches the flow of the whole knife. The only criticism for me is the color contrast is not pleasing to my eye between estched blade, dark bolster, warm wood and bright brass. The design has a soft organic quality, which IMHO would be best served by no rear bolster, but a full wood handle with a front bolster that is etchced the same as the blade, so you can see the continuing of the damascus pattern of the blade to bolster...or a front mokeme bolster :)
 
For continuity I like both bolsters in the same material.

I also like the body of the knife to be wider than the blade (more so than just allowing the blade to seat comfortably.

The Damascus blade is gorgeous.

I like the contrast of the Polished hardware (Thumbstud, screws, pivot). etc.

A lanyard hole would be a plus.

Just refinements really, (base on my taste.opinion) you are doing a great job.
 
Actually, Zoe, I respectfully must disagree with those suggesting a higher more squared bolster. I think it flows well with the pattern the way it is.
 
thanks everyone. here are a few more shots. The blade terminates up against the damascus spacer...
 

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I would like to see a side-shot with the blade closed, if you would. :)

Unless you're using an internal stop, I feel there could be a lot of blade exposed and an angular corner where the stop/lock contacts with the 'drop' at the front bolster...:confused:
 
Nice feather Damascus Zoe! I like the Rounded front bolster and agree with the others on the rear Bolster matching or No bolster, Just the wood scale to the end;)
 
Quite a bit different than I imagined, thanks for your time to take these additional photos. :thumbup:

I like the lines of it but would prefer similar materials front/rear.......Mokume does work for me. ;)
 
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