Poor execution or poor design? (Revisited)

B

Bordo

Joined
May 9, 2012
Messages
82
So I'm almost done with my third. I have just a little more sanding on the handle to go and I feel like its not living up to how I envisioned it. I don't know if I'm reaching beyond my skill level or if the design just isn't practical. The knife itself is comfortable and functional but looks wise its not what I had hoped to achieve.




Critiques and comments welcome.
 
Last edited:
I like it. Polish the handle up It will look better.
maybe polish the blade up some more too. but thats up to you.
 
If you liked the design on paper but not in reality then next design try making a wood mock-up first to see if you still like it in 3D. The knife here looks pretty close to the drawing. If you don't want the pins rounded when you contour the handles just set them in a bit farther away from the edges next time.
 
Interesting idea having the liner peek out, if that is the case. At first it reminded me of a tuxedo but now I can't look at it with out seeing a Catholic priest's Roman collar.
 
I you don't like the way the contours are running into your pins, make your sketches a little more diagrammatic. By that I mean you should add some type of line that says " start contour here". Dashed lines would be good. It will make your knife look more 3-dimensional on paper.

My designs never look exactly like the first sketch. I'm always adjusting things as go. You will think of things you forgot to include or discard from the sketch. Making mockups in softer materials will help alleviate some of that, though. Mockups are also less stressful to ruin because they weren't going to be a knife anyway.
 
Penguin.

As you found out in the handle shaping, the phenolic pins on the top and bottom are too close to the edge.

Otherwise, it looks OK to me. Some photos from the spine and the ricasso/handle detail would be nice to see.
 
I kinda feel the same about the knife I'm grinding right now. I loved the sketch but I'm worried it's not going to turn out like I wanted.

If it has a good feel and function then I wouldn't call it poor design or execution. I don't think it's a bad looking knife.
What does the tang look like underneath? It might be possible to redo the handle with different pins or placement.
 
I spent some time looking at that knife, and here is what I would have done different:
I would not have the two-tone front. - It looks sort of cool, but has no function and probably will be a problem later on.
I would make the blade 3/4 of the current width. - Unless you are opening scallops or doing some task that requires a really wide blade, a 3.5" blade does not need to be much over 1" wide.
I would make the handle much less fat. - That is a Big handle for such a small knife. Length and shape are fine, just put it on a diet and make it slimmer. I would keep the black phenolic pins in the front and butt, but put two on each side....moved in about .20" and spaced accordingly to make even spacing with the front and back pins.

Those changes may be what is looking OFF to you.
 
For a third knife, I think you did a great job. Be proud of what you accomplished, and use it as a stepping stone to make the fourth even better.

It will probably be a while before you look at one of your creations and say "that's JUST what I was aiming for!" And frankly, that's okay and to be epected. We all have to start a a place called the beginning to get to the goal line.

You're doing fine. Don't expect perfection right away, but don't stop trying for it.
 
I like the overall profile quite a bit, but it looks like you've tapered the front of the scales aggressively. I did that several times early on and really didn't like the result. The whole knife would fall deeper into my hand, threatening my fingers with the edge. At least one of those will get a new set of scales some day.

-Daizee
 
Lol Penguin, Priest and Tuxedo never crossed my mind when I started it. I did think it would be cool and maybe different from what is out there.

I do enjoy the overall design just not the liner peeking out so I will be making another. Its only 1.25inch at its widest so a diet for the next one should be easy enough. When I drew up the original I had different placement and pin sizes in mind for some reason I choose this option.

On the next one how should I shape the scales? Here's a look at the current one.


Thanks for all the help so far
 
I think your knife looks really good for being your third knife. That being said it is much better than my third knife. I think everyone gave you good advice. One common denominator I found in most of the knives I like is the size of the handle in relation to the blade. If you've got a blade that is an inch and a half try narrowing the handle down to maybe an inch. I wouldn't change the knife you have at this point and I think you should be proud of it. But try making a wooden patern and fool around with the handle width a little.
 
So I had some down time tonight and took another look at this design. I ended up with 2 possibilities that might improve upon what I had tried to do. First would be a Nessmuk looking thing and second would just be a scaled down version of the previous design. Instead of almost an 1.5" it would be down to 1' at its widest point.





Comments and critiques welcome
 
Last edited:
Bordo,

The folks here have made some good suggestions but keep in mind they are just that. You are the designer and only you know what your creative impulses are telling you to make. Ergonomic considerations aside, don't run too quickly to a narrower blade. It may not be necessary but a wider blade does have a certain appeal. My impression of the handle was that of a tick. Just a little soft and round, lacking a bit of "design". The handle in your new sketch looks well designed and with good proportion. Maybe try it with your original blade shape. Either way, this is the process we all go through. You will eventually make lots of knives. Plenty of time to try lots of different things.
 
I don't think the knife looks bad. Personally I would prefer three large pins down the center, but that's just preference. Overall I dig it
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top