opinions on this design please (pic)

Bruce Evans

Bruce Evans

Joined
Sep 26, 1999
Messages
4,486
I am wanting to make a utility knife to offer as a lower end knife from my high end pieces.I cam up with this design that I liked and wanted your opinions.The blade is 5 inches tip to scales and the scales are 4 1/4 inches long..The blade is 1 1/4 inches wide and 1/8 inch thick.I used some pieces of Delrine counter top mterial on this one and I will use wood on the rest.I also believe that I will make the grind all the way to the spine instead of the short grind.
So What do you think..Comments Please.
Bruce
 
This is a test knife so I didn't give it my normal spit and polish like I would have normaly..The discoloratuon on the blade was due to the fact that Donna had just finished cutting up a bunch of chicken with it.
Don't yell at me for doing a utility piece please:D
Bruce
 
Hey Bruce, what blade steel, and convex or hollow ground?

Nice simple desighn, looks good and handy.

I don't know about everybody else, but I like utility pieces as much or more than the collector pieces.
 
I prefer a flat grind all the way to the spine. I like the design. Handle looks comfy.

--Matt
 
This blade has a flat grind with a Moran edge..
The Blade steel on this one is some a friend gave me and I am still in the process of finding out what it is.If this one doesn't cut like it should then I will do it in 1095.
I also prefer the flat grind to the spine to cut down on the drag when cutting.
The handle is very comfortable.
Bruce
 
Looks good ,my preference is also for a high grind.you could also go to a 5/32 blade,as it looks like it would also be a good survival knife..
 
Bruce,

nice design, delrin is a good choice. I made one with similar thought in mind and used corian. I think you're on the right track, looks mighty nice--and functional!--Dan
 
i use the full flat grind on most culinary pieces. and you may want to offer it in stainless, looks like good proportions for a medium kitchen knife. i finish with a convex edge.
 
Hey Bubba I like the design but I have a couple
of questions
1- you said a utility do you mean hunting,kitchen
or both.
2- I can`t remeber the other question I hate getting
old.

If it`s a kitchen & hunting utility knife then I
would stay with the 1/8in stock
If it`s a hunting knife I would go with 5/32in stock.

I like a full grind but if your tryin to save
time how about moving the grind the the center of the
blade? I was told that bowlingballs makes got handle
material, but I don`t know how would cut it up.
I know that you can get old balls for $2-$3 around
here.
Where did you get your Delrine ? been wanting to
try some. Just my 2cents but what do I know I`m
not the knifemaker you are

Hey RHINOKNIVES--- Stainless:barf: :D
 
Nice Bruce, BUT....
I hate to see You going down the scale.You high end stuff is always so awesome.You should consider doing some super high end pieces just to make me feel better:D .Your still my hero.

Mark
 
Hi Bruce,

That's a very nice sized, straightforward, no BS, utilitarian design, especially if full flat ground to the spine in 1/8" stock. Moran edge? SWEET!! :D And yeah, that handle does look real comfortable. I could easily find a spot for one of those in the kitchen. Any projected pricetag on that model yet???

The only change I suggest would be unpolished canvas micarta scales instead of wood. Wood can be a problem due to wet/dry cycling, especially if it winds up taking a few trips through the dishwasher inadvertantly. The micarta will stand up to that abuse better than wood. Also, the roughness of unpolished canvas micarta remains pretty secure in the hand, even when wet.

My $.02 and worth every cent, ;)
Greg
 
Thanks Everybody,This is what I was needing to hear.
I was given the delrin about 8 years ago and I really am not sure that is what it is now,I thought that was what the guy said it was,I do know it is counter top material,It works real easy and polishes well.
I was thinking of the knife as a kitchen or small camp knife,but i guess the design would work as a hunting knife.
I like the bevel to the spine myself,but I was trying this as I have never done a partial grind really,I might have done one or two whan I first started and was using files but I couldn't remember.
The micarta would be fine but I wanted to use something a little different than what is already flooding the market,Plus I like natural handle material.I guess I could go with the micarta though.
I also hate that I am having to go back to the lower end pieces but I have to make a living some how,and until the economy picks up and the high end market picks back up I will have to do some lower end stuff also.No worries I do have some high end pieces started and I wont be quitting them any time soon,Just got to pay the bills somehow.
The price I will be asking for these will be $125.00 with a leather pouch sheath.I will have to order some micarta as I don't keep any in the shop,I do have a little of this handle material that is on this knife left and some that is a tan color just like it,I think I can get 3 more handles and then this material is gone.
The only way I do stainless if if the customer asks for it a6t this time.I do have some in the shop but have only been asked for it 1 time in ten years.Byt it is a option to anyone that wants one of my knives in stainless.
Bruce
 
Bruce,
The stuff you are using as handle material is corian made by the dupont company. It is easy to work with, polishes well and also takes scrimshaw well. I use it on fillet knives, it has a no slip grip even when wet. I do like the design, but it almost looks like everything else out there, why not do something different? Utilitarian and a low end model ususlly sells well and helps pay the bills but it still can be origional.
Just my 2c
chuck
 
Thanks for the info on the handle material..
As for the design,I on't think that there is much that hasn't been done a million times when it comes to a utility-working knife.I was thinking of a drop point ,a clip point,this style,and a small green river style.

But if anyone has a really cool and unique utility style that is a unique piece and wants to see it made I would be glad to try it:cool:
Or if you guys want to start throwing ideas in the pot I will try and come up with something new and different,as long as it sells.
I will give credit to any ideas or suggestions That I get.
I know lets come up with the Sop talks own design that we can all use.Now what to name it ? any ideas...
B.F.S.Utility
S.T.(the number of people involved with the design) so it would read something like S.T.20 or something like that
Lets here them.
Bruce:D
 
I like the knife Bruce and I really like the Idea. I do have a suggestion or two for what they are worth. I use utility blades every day. I carry one with me all the time. I think it should be a little shorter. Many places these days have blade-a-phobia. Maybe a 3" blade. I like the handle material. It's hard to get Corian scraps here but I grab everyone I can. Good choice. A utility blade, even a utility blade made by someone with your fine reputation, should be affordable. Otherwise it tends to not be used. To keep costs down I would go with a half grind (flat). I would also make it a little softer than normal to make it easy to resharpen.:rolleyes:
 
Bruce the way I look at you do what ever
it takes to pay the bills.
I love your high end knives , you great work.
I personaly that`s what I want to do is make
a knife that`s in the $100-$150 range that
way the average joe could afford to buy it.
 
I'm with Peter. Make them a little smaller Bruce, say a 3" blade and 4" handle. Offer some with a kydex sheath and call it a neck knife. The design is great and very useful looking. As far as handle material goes, use everything that was cheap or free as long as it looks nice...:)

Although I realize the good intentions of folks who would tell you to make only the high end, I firmly believe that in order to survive in the world of crafts, one must make items to sell at all price points. For every fat wallet that passes your table there are 10 more that would have bought something if it were just a little more affordable. A favorite tactic of mine is to put out some dazzling pieces that are fairly pricey, then have some cheaper items in a similar style but with a lot less labor in them at a lower price. That way folks who like your work can still afford to buy some of it even if the expensive items are out of reach.
 
You could also put a false edge on that & call it a fighter :)
Now you need a spiffy name like:
BinLadenectomy-anator :D
Kidding aside, full flat grind for the kitchen & a swedge for the street. With no fear of it being too thin :)
Funky handle too!
 
I'm sorry but I still don't see a beautiful woman in the knife but that's OK, at least I don't see an ugly one either. Otherwise, if women are involved, I always maintain its better (for me) to take it all the way up! :)

C Wilkins

(This is too much fun, bubba. I'm gonna run with this one a while!)
 
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