Please point out design flaws in my first folder.

[Patrice Lemée]

I did a rough prototype in stainless. Of course everything is sloppy and I have to pick apart every processes to find out how to do it within needed tolerances. But I first need to get a basic working pattern done so I can explore how far I can go with scales/handle design. So if you see anything that makes you say to yourself "was he on crack when he designed that?", please feel free to point it out.

And no, I don't have such nice dainty hands. My wife accepted to model for me.

 

[thegeek574]

overall, it looks nice but there are a few things that jump out at me.
1. the stop pin knob looks like it would get caught on pockets if a pocket clip was put on that side.
2. a pocket clip would be nice
3. the tip looks a bit delicate. maybe a bit less of a taper would be nice. I can see that having some problems with abuse that goes beyond cardboard demolition.
4. it looks very curvy. while that is nice, I would say that the curvier/thicker a knife is, the more pocket space it takes up. yours looks like it would take up a lot of space, unless it is way smaller than it looks.

again, this is just my opinion. I have no idea if i am completely off, but that is what just jumps out at me.

by the way, I love the utilitarian design with the screws and such. I wish more people used flathead and other common driver pattern screws for their pivot screws so that only full takedown required torx stuff. if you could integrate the bold into the handle, that would be the proverbial bomb.

 

[Frank Niro]

Patrice. I believe if you were to allow your blade to flow more in that curve it mostly has back to the liners ( scales) it might become more pleasant. You might then even allow less dip in the blade on the top. I sure like the styling . It's a bit like what I do. Send me an email at niro@telus.net and I will be able to send you a picture. No, they are not that close but you will see a similarity and it might help you do yours. I believe your handle should become more heavier if you want a strong tactical look. As it is it's more of an art folder that I would recognize you doing from previous work of yours I have seen. I hope I didn't just cause confusion. Frank

 

[Patrice Lemée]

To clarify a little, this is just a mock up so the only thing that will be the same will be the 2-56 screw. There will be a proper pivot and stop pin. Also, you are right Frank, Taktikal is definitely not me. I am going for more of an art folder, well as much as a folder will allow me to and this being the first one, I am trying to restrain myself.
I'll send you an email. I'd love a pic as I am easily confused.

Thanks guys.

 

[12345678910]

I like it.

Maybe a larger wheel on the top clip so it doesn't go so deep.

The back 1/3 of the bottom of the blade seems to recurved in

& I would want that to be a bit flatter to keep the handle flow line.
-maybe it's just the light.


can we see it with a ruler?

and can we see it closed?

 

[Dixieblade57]

Patrice here is pic of a fixed blade that the blade is quite similar to the design of your blade on your folder. So I feel the design is not that far off. In other words I like it! :thumbup:

You might want to think about the thumb area on the pic but I like it so far!

 

[Patrice Lemée]

There is a little recurve in there. I may leave it or not or even make it more pronounced depending on where I go with the handle. I like when a blade looks likes it is cutting even just laying there. Recurves/pointy blades, of Persian influence maybe, look like that to me.

Thanks for the pic Dixie.

 

[Jason Magruder]

That looks pretty good! The only changes I would recommend are to make the lock spring narrower and to add a little to the front of the handle at the bottom. I would add just enough to give a little rise to keep your hand from slipping forward and blend smoother with the spine when closed.

Great job on that!

 

[12345678910]

It looks pretty good closed too.

The only thing I see.
On the closed pics.
I would want the top of the blade to flow back into the handle where the handle and top of the blade meet.

It's not that simple and would affect the top line when it's open too
but
If you adjusted the fit at the stop pin so the blade opens up more it would line up arain too.
(I think)

Of course that affects your lock engagement too.


or maybe just go with a handle that's a touch bigger at the front end.


Edited to add

Aw heck , Jason above me said it all already.

 

[Salem Straub]

If the heel of the blade around the back of the pivot was a little wider, with the lock bar being just a tad shorter, you could have more lock face contact and perhaps a bit more strength to your pivot. It appears that were you to use a very wide washer, it could interfere with your lock bar function. Of course, widening the blade heel would likely require moving the stop pin, it could be a small can of worms.

That's all I could think of as far as meaningful input, I'm excited for you that you're taking the plunge into folders. And with a framelock, perhaps my favorite type. Imaginative design as well. Can't wait to pull that first one out of the box and do some cutting with it.

 

[tryppyr]

I don't know, Patrice. It's definitely distinctive when open... but I'm not loving it when closed. Too heavily weighted at the pivot, I'd say. I also get nervous looking at it opened because the blade and the handle curve into each other. I look at that and visualize digits getting cut off if something fails. (shudder)

But then, I'm not one to carry folders any more, so take everything I say with a grain of salt.