opinions wanted

bikermikearchery

bikermikearchery

Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
1,976
I like curves. I really like curves. No straight lines for me. I like to see curves in my bows that I make. I like curves in my motorcycle, I like the curves in a well muscled horse, and of course I like the curves in my wife.:) If you have ever seen the knives I normally make, they have flowing lines, they have curves. Even if I make a knife with a few straight angles, those angles are off set with flowing curves.
So my good friend who is also a knife maker has suggested that I make some users. "Users says I, all my knives are users, I don't make safe queens"
A friendly debate led me to profile grind the top knife. My friend suggest even simpler. So I ground the bottom knife. "Dude, That is the ugliest (favorite expletive) knife that has ever been in my shop I say" "ya but more woods-Loafers like the straight handle than the other"
So I took some pictures to see how many people like prefer the the curved or straight shape.
A little imagination is needed. these are right out of the quench oil. and have not had bevels ground.These would be finished with a slab handle or could be wrapped in para cord. Your opinion please. In picture #1 the curved handle or the straight handle.
 

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Personally, I like some fairly subtle curves in the handle. The top knife is good, but I *might* even make it a little more subtle than that. A little contouring like that is good and makes the handle comfortable, but too much limits the comfort of other grips, and I find that being able to grip the knife in many ways and being comfortable doing that is one of the main points I look for in a knife.
 
While I like them all, I like the curved handle best. I never really thought much about it but I think it may make a difference what kind of cutting or motion that you are using for a given job. The curved handle should offer a better grip if your hands are wet or slick. It will be interesting to hear what others think.:) Variety is important too.
 
top one, definitely. But I'd drop top edge in a leeeeeetle tiny curve down from about 2/3 back to the butt.

nothing really wrong with the straight one, I just like curves, too!
 
I gotta pick the curvy one. I just don't trust straight handles, they feel like they're trying to leap out of my hand. I like to know exactly where my index finger is on the handle, and that it's going to stay there; the top curvy handle would do that just fine. If not a contoured handle, then at least a wedgey shape, which tends to stay in the hand very well, if not quite as precise to use as a contoured one.

Curvy blades are OK too, make what ya like! Although it's cool to try something different from what ya normally do :thumbup:

BTW the blades are all a nice all-around style for woodsy-type fun, let's not forget that! Let's see 'em finished up.
 
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top one! make the point pointier and dropped a teeny bit more. Looks like a winner!
 
Looks good man, I think I prefer the curves myself as well. I like them to be a little more gentle, though (favored towards being wider rather than narrower).
 
Yeah I like the shape of that one in your latest link. Looks smaller then the ones above though. Leave the top of your blades nice and rough - as forged - and make them real users. What were you thoughts on scales? I'd say osage orange would look really good.
 
The half-baked idea was to make then as simple and no-nonsense as possible.
I was thinking of plain walnut or oak for the scales. Held on with bolt&nut so they could be removed at will, or para cord wrapped.
 
actually, the straight lines thing isn't even bad per se.

1: I'll bet it works out well with a look like the old chicago cultery

2: if the straight lines were just slightly non parallel - a hair wider at the rear, it would work out VERY well.
 
koyote said:
actually, the straight lines thing isn't even bad per se.

1: I'll bet it works out well with a look like the old chicago cultery

2: if the straight lines were just slightly non parallel - a hair wider at the rear, it would work out VERY well.
Click to expand...

Yup...agreed. I like the curves, but for a simple knife the straight handle is a more classic look. As for Koyote's second suggestion, I think that would work really well, kinda like a coffin handle but without the second, smaller angle. You could even do it slightly wider at the rear but rounded off, instead of square. That would be cool.
 
I kinda like it. It reminds me of the old Imperial Sportsman knives from the 60's. The kind with the cheap plastic slabs and stamped sheetmetal guard.

If these guys don't want it, I'll take one for the team and hide that one away for ya :p
 
A little tweaking and they look a little better.
 

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update on these knives.
 

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I actually like the straight handles better and while I usually shy away from cord wraps these look exceptionlly comfortable. I usually prefer a thin micarta or wood handle.

I think curves are very user specific especially when they are large. They might be perfect for one user but in exactly the wrong orientation for another. In my experience the smaller the curves the better the ergonomics as well as allowing more grip possibilities.
 
I like the curves....but at the same time there is something....rustic...or...old timey in the look of the straight ones (w/o the cord wrap). With the wrap they look a touch tactical in my opinion. Both look great, I really like how the straight ones came out.
 
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