No holds barred knife design critique

Thanks for the kind words Murray White. And for telling me what USN stands for. I will check them out as well. I do want to make it clear though before people get started that I am not a maker. I would love to partner with one on this. I am just an out of work designer who loves knives so I thought I would marry the two.

As for what sideways said, I always think of survival as bushcraft type of stuff. And I am a fan of the tanto blade on everything really. But the blade could also be something different. I just like the look of a tanto. And the strict 90 degree angle that is naturally on the spine of a tanto is great for throwing sparks.

Again though, I guess the main feedback I would like is the overall concept, because things like how big it is and what type of blade can be changed easily enough.
 
Braja69 said:
Let me know if you like it or don't.
Click to expand...

I don't like it at all (you asked for honest responses).

I come to this forum to see so many amazing, actual knives created by custom bladesmiths, most of whom are already masters of their craft.

Your "knife" is more like something an Avtar might buy and/or use in some silly online fantasy game like World of Warcraft or whatever is currently flavour of the month (showing my age).
 
For bushcraft stuff you'll want to focus on ergonomics and practicality in use.

Contour the the handle...
knife-mora-heavy-duty-companion-sizes.jpg


You can also add side to swell...
248132393.jpg


The goal being to make it fit the hand better without any bumps or protrusions to create hot spots.

To that end perhaps also rework the flipper and jimping on the spine.

In cold environments you'll want to cover up any exposed metal because exposed metal is cold.

Tanto blades are not great all purpose blades... For the sake of a stronger tip you are giving up the belly of the knife and all the good things that can do for you.

And then there is the whole materials, heat treat, and lock mechanism that needs to be figured out.
 
It's a liner lock flipper. Again though not meant to replace a true fixed blade survival knife. Just a nice back up or for the casual outdoorsman.

I'm not sure why Pete_H thinks it's video gamey. Maybe because it's a render done in graphics? Or something a little different than the norm. I don't like video gamey stuff myself usually. But yeah man, to each his own :)
 
Also the whole straight lines versus curvey thing is really a little off topic but I would like to address it anyway.

When you are holding a hard object, no matter what it is, nothing is really going to keep it from damaging your hands with rough and/or extended use. The main thing that keeps your hands safe, is the way you use it.

I mean Asian design is an influence on me. I think it's beautiful. If it was good enough for a samurai, it's good enough for me.

For all the curvey guys out there, I'll try and make sure the next one I pop up here is just that okay :)
 
Braja69 said:
When you are holding a hard object, no matter what it is, nothing is really going to keep it from damaging your hands with rough and/or extended use. The main thing that keeps your hands safe, is the way you use it.
Click to expand...



I wouldn't be so quick to discount the value of ergonomics on something of this nature.
 
I'm not discounting it completely. I just think it's a bit like splitting hairs in the case of a handle on a pocket knife. A machette or axe, where you're going to be applying jarring force, is different. You're not going to be hacking with this. At least I wouldn't.
 
I think I may have hit on everything people here don't like in a pocket knife. Which is good. I know what to submit here in the future. Something very curvey, not a tanto, very ergonomic handle. No kind of new concept. You know, what you're used to :) Ahh change is hard.

Seriously though, I will try to make something more run of the mill next time. It will be hard for me cause I tend to try and think outside the box. But I know I can do it. And I will, just for you guys, to show you how much I appreciate all the feedback I've been getting. This is a pretty decent place to at least get some opinions on what you're doing.

Now if I could only find someone to make these designs...
 
I like it and think there's a place for it. I also understand the concept and that the size can be scaled up or down. I do not prefer tanto style but I appreciate it all the same because it has some very nice considerations going on. If I were to carry one, I would want it pretty small, viewing this as a secondary utility tool.
 
I think you are getting a bit defensive and missing the point. These guys are not trying to tell you change is bad. If you are a student of the knife arts you will know that there is plenty of room for outside the box thinking. But it must be matched to the task. You say your design is "not meant to replace a true fixed blade survival knife. Just a nice back up or for the casual outdoorsman. " So it would not be practical for the survival/bushcraft market you envisioned. As you said, it would be a backup to a fixed blade that would be more suited to survival use parameters. You are a designer, and by your own admission, not a knife maker (yet ;) ). But you have to understand that there is a big difference between what is cool in the theoretical design world and what works well in the real world environment, especially when lives may depend on the design in a survival situation. And do not discount the fact that most of the guys here who are giving you sound advice are designers in their own right. The features that work well on a knife and that have become the norm are not decided by the current clique of makers who are popular now. They are tried and true features that have been developed and adopted over HUNDREDS or even THOUSANDS of years. It would be rather foolish to discount that kind of wisdom. Step back a little and reconsider what the folks here have told you. Leave emotion and pride out of it. You have access to some of the most experienced makers and designers in the world here and they honestly want to help you if you want to listen.
 
I like it. I also agree entirely with lwrhea's post. This would be best as a small, secondary tool with a blade length of 2.5-3". Personally, I'm not big on tantos. That said, I also think it fits this design well and is aesthetically pleasing. I think I would prefer it as a wharnie or sheepsfoot. Cool idea, but I wonder how thick it would actually end up.
 
The design is fresh. I like it a lot.
I think a 3.5" blade would be just-right.
PM coming.
rolf
 
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I'm not getting defensive, just stating my opinions too :) Now here's some good advice. And good suggestions on blade size. I myself wonder how thick it would actually turn out too :) Keep it comin guys!
 
for something which looks as though it's intended as a 'survival knife', I would stick with either a hole or a stud for opening, with an emphasis on a burly mechanism.
I think it's an intriguing and enigmatic idea for a knife. Maybe 'survival folders' will be the next big thing. You never know.

And wrt Nathan's comment, it's indisputable.
 
Here's why I responded to this thread. While this proposed knife appears simple, it is in the design stages and all of the elements are being considered before any raw material is touched. That's not so simple. I like it when a knife comes into being from a plan. You are a designer. I am wishing more knife makers would follow the example that you're setting and emphasize conceptual design more. We need more threads like this.
 
Braja69 said:
Also the whole straight lines versus curvey thing is really a little off topic but I would like to address it anyway.

When you are holding a hard object, no matter what it is, nothing is really going to keep it from damaging your hands with rough and/or extended use. The main thing that keeps your hands safe, is the way you use it.

I mean Asian design is an influence on me. I think it's beautiful. If it was good enough for a samurai, it's good enough for me.

For all the curvey guys out there, I'll try and make sure the next one I pop up here is just that okay :)
Click to expand...

If you want critique, stop defending your drawing and start listening.

If you want Asian influence, get some good resources and look at actual historical pieces.
http://www.metmuseum.org/research/m...the_Samurai_Japanese_Arms_and_Armor_1156_1868
http://i62.tinypic.com/hvqur5.jpg



Read the design suggestion of my standard reply.


I know you think this is cutting edge different, but


The first knife design by a new maker is historically like what you have shown.
A new square block with the corners rounded off.

"Blocky handle syndrome"

It's so common, there is a sticky and a download for it.
http://www.mediafire.com/download/8og1ix21j9dcz4n/The+Things+I+Advise+New+Knife+Makers+Against.pdf



http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...a-Folder-Kit-Assembly?p=14755242#post14755242


The jimping you have at the top of the blade is far too coarse, it would rip your thumb open like a saw blade.

I know you like the idea of storage in the handle, but what hold it together?

Stacy is right, the blade is longer than the handle, so - folder it's not.

You asked about thickness.
You have shown very very thin bevel sections.

Thinner cuts better, make a thinner taper, bring that grind like up.
 
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Wow, I really appreciate that Iwrhea :) And I agree about being more threads like this. At least a dedicated thread for conceptual designs to help link up good designs with good makers.
 
I like the design, looks like there is some confusion of final usage. I agree that usage that require good ergonomics is out, bushcraft, skinning, clean fish, machete. But I am interested in usage by office people, my son had one of my knives in his office and I got some orders. Small light folder, mostly to open an box or cut a string. The office crowd buys more for look and some function.. The fire steel would not be practical, but sharpening stone,, ok. What else could you put in the handle that would be of interest to the office crowd? bottle opener, nail clipper,
 
Have you considered incorporating the sharpening and firestarting equipment in other ways? Like, a thin, but long sharpening rod the length of the blade that slides into the back of the frame (Under the blade when closed.), or a wider sharpening stone that slides into the frame, next to the blade. A firestarter could also be incorporated in different ways, perhaps in a way that lets you start sparks by flipping it (Ie, on the backstop, behind the blade, etc.). Or scales made out of a sharpening stone and a firestarter. Or a removable clip made out of a sharpening stone or a firestarter (Ontop of steel, titanium or aluminium.).
 
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