Opinions please.

valcas1

valcas1

Joined
Feb 25, 2007
Messages
934
I have been bitten by the knife making bug and have been working on a design of a large size camp/chopper. Here is a profile that I like. I have been tweaking the handle a bit and want to put some scales on it to see how comfortable it will be. Blade is right around 8" and overall it about 14"

Campknife.jpg


Please give me you ideas or input regarding the blade shape? Would you change something?

I really think I am going to make it out of CPM 3V. I have heard good things about it. I am not sure if 3/16" full convex grind or 1/4" full flat grind is the way to go. Input on that also would be great.

I think paring it with a small Scandi grind bushcraft knife I will be well equipped for my outdoor adventures.

Thank you in advance for any input.

Paul
 
I like it. Big blades with a slight drop at the handle butt have always a favorite. I like the width and shape of the blade as well.
 
looks like a good shape. Is this an aluminum mockup? Very good idea...I usually use cardstock, but metal is also a really good idea.

About the grind-it is really a personal preference, I think that they will both perform well if well done. Just curious-why would you use a different stock thickness with a different grind? I think that either grind will leave plenty of meat and have plenty of cutting ability in either stock, as long as you bring the edge thickness to the same... I see alot of larger knives in that size range done in 3/16ths though, so it seems that 1/4 might be a bit excessive.
 
Ditch the choil-ish looking area and bring the blade down to near the handle, but dropped a bit. With that and a convex edge, looks like a real winner! Good work. :thumbup:
 
Nice work. It may be just the photo, but the handle looks a little crowded [short] to me. Heck, it might be just right for you, but you're looking for input:)
 
Thanks for the input. Keep it coming.

Siguy,

It is a mild steel mock up. My thought is that it would give me a very close feeling to the finished knife as far as balance. This way I could play with drilling out the handle to lighten it up, if I needed.

As far as the stock thickness my thought is that if I go with convex which is what I am leaning towards I could get away with the thiner stock.

I am hoping that Scott Gossman will chime in and give his opinion.

Keep it coming.

Paul
 
SpookyPistolero said:
Ditch the choil-ish looking area and bring the blade down to near the handle, but dropped a bit. With that and a convex edge, looks like a real winner! Good work. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Damn Spooky bsat me too it.

That choil just eliminates probably an inch that could be nice sharp cutting edge.
 
I am not a big fan of choils either, although several of my knives have them. I like bigger handles with room to move a bit.
 
I like it

the gaurd looking bit could be smaller tho , but this is just my personal preference .

I like the idea of making a mackup first , I always work freehand , and kinda just take away the bits that dont look like knife .. its fun but sucks when I turn out a good one and want to do more of the same ...

I think you have a seriously good knife there tho , what are you thinking of for handles ?
 
I like it just like it is. Good design.
 
3/16" with a convex. It will be stout enough for chopping but will will be better suited to finer tasks than the 1/4". My .02
 
First, I would like to thank everyone for their input.

After the comments here I may work up another profile without the choil and see how it looks.

After looking at the handle I think it can be thinned out a bit and I have to work a little on it I will repost to see what everyone thinks.

Myal,

For the handle scales I am actually thinking of trying to use industrial rubber flooring. I hear that people are using it on competition cutters and I think it would give a good grippy surface. I want to make this knife a user. Worst case I will just peel them off and go with some micarta.

Thanks again. I will keep updating as I progress.

Paul
 
siguy said:
looks like a good shape. Is this an aluminum mockup? Very good idea...I usually use cardstock, but metal is also a really good idea.
Click to expand...

sorry to post off topic...

WARNING

BE CAREFUL if using the same grinder for ferrous and non-ferrous metals....

DO NOT MIX THE GRINDINGS FROM EACH!!!!!! PLEASE.

Achieve the right ratios and you get THERMITE!!! (look it up)

Once ignited it burns at 4500 F!!!!!
 
umm yeah

and if it lights up its hard to put out too

dont ask me how I know this ....
 
Paul overall it looks great. The blade shape is perfect for a large camp knife. With this size knife it should be a bit blade heavy. I'd cut the overall length to 13" or 13 1/2". Make the handle 5 or 5 1/2 inches from first finger cut out to pommel. The back drop of the handle should do fine but smooth the bump behind the first finger cut out. The finger guard might do better if not so wide. As far as a choil, I've found 1" is perfect for choking up. I've tried 3/4" but that seems to be too small and bits the finger at the start of the cutting edge. With an 8" blade you will have a 7" cutting edge. Start your plunge lines in the center of the choil. If you want a total of 8" for the blade, ditch the choil and use no more then a 1/2" ricasso. 1/4" would probably work best. This way you can still slide your hand up close to the cutting edge. If you go with 3/16" or 1/4" flat grind first then switch to slack belt. This will remove alot of steel behind the cutting edge but still give you strength when it's convexed.
Scott
 
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