Pairing knife?

You should start with copying existing designs or design features. Draw your designs on a piece of paper, then keep redrawing it until it looks good. When you're happy with the design, transfer it to a piece of cardboard. Cut it out and see how it fits in your hand. Make adjustments from there. Then trace your pattern onto steel and cut it out.

If you need help with designs, post up pictures here and ask for help before you commit to grinding it onto a piece of steel.

As for your current design it doesn't look much like paring knives I see in most kitchens. The upswept point doesn't look right. The blade is a little too tall for a paring knife. Also, it's nice to have a plungeless grind on a kitchen knife, or at least move the grind all of the way back to the heel.
 
There's nothing wrong with emulating someone else's work when you're first starting. Especially if you're not selling your first knives. This is especially true of kitchen knives. You'll notice that most kitchen knives are designed with very specific use in mind.

Once you have a handle on design principles then you could start experimenting more.
 
there are two or three ways you could go. go to an auction site or amazon or knives'r'us and just look at the paring knives available. the 'classic' paring knife is 3 to 4 inch blade that is 3/4 to 1" high. several french companies make paring knives that look miniature chef's knives. the one I like is the ajikiri or small deba, so you have a knife with a 4" blade that is 1 1/2" tall at the handle. i usually use 1/16" or 3/64" stock and try to keep finished weight to 2 ounces or less.
 
My pairing knives are on the smaller side of what Scott describes. 2.5-3" blade 3/4" width, .060" thick. Simple straight handle ( maybe a little drop in the butt).

I would grind the tip on yours at a straight clip ( remove the snick).

Copping a pairing knife is not copying anyone's design. It is a well established shape. Take one out of your kitchen drawer and use it as a shape guide.
 
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