Prototype folder: The Claw

Patrice Lemée

Patrice Lemée

Joined
Aug 13, 2002
Messages
5,703
I know, the name is a little corny but it's all I could come up with. :o

claw_1.JPG


Since this is more of a prototype and my second folder I decided that I had done enough on it and that time would be better spent using it daily to work out the kinks. I'll just put a brushed finish on the blade, finish the different parts a little more and replace the dummy screws but that's it. PS: Don't mind the thumb-stud, it's just a dummy one to test different lengths.

A few thoughts on design:

Trying to get a good visual ratio between the blade and handle with folders is always tricky. Usually the bolster is used to make the blade seems longer than it is so I thought why not take it a step further and move the plunge there too. Not actually a real plunge (maybe eventually give that a try too) but at least a visual representation of it. Got to make it so you see the transition as less as possible and tweaked the whole thing on the next one but I do like the result so far.

Also wanted to try the segmented handle with liners showing. I have a few more ideas to implement to make it work better (I hope) but I think we are getting somewhere there too.

Here are the specs:
Blade length: 3 1/2” OAL: 7 7/8”
Grind: Flat
Blade Steel: CPM154
Liners: Titanium
Handle: Stainless steel, African Blackwood, Cow bone and Bronze

A few more pics:

claw_2.JPG


claw_3.JPG


claw_4.JPG


I'd love to know what you guys think to see if I am the only one that finds some of these ideas interesting and worth pursuing.

Thanks for your help.

Pat
 
Like the blade shape. A little too much going on with the handle though. My humble opinion.
 
Thanks Sosa, that's exactly the reason I ask for feedback, to give me perspective that you often loose when working on a knife for too long. Appreciated. :thumbup:
 
Maybe a bulbous Persian style butt. You're on the right track. Nice work.
 
You Son of a Gun! I knew you were up to something! You've been too quiet for far too long. The blade shape is up your alley, and mine, I like it a lot. In the picture where you are holding it, it looks like a small slip could end up with you getting cut , suggest a slight curve to the handle in front to divert your hand a bit. I'd lose the cow bone and simply go with one material at first, a good premium material, maybe amber stag? It would also be cool if it were an assisted opener.

You can do better with the name too:)
 
Sosa, a more “Persian” like butt is a great idea and definitely something I'll try.

David, I knew you'd like the blade shape. Great minds like they say. ;)
As far as your hand slipping, the size combined with the cutout at the butt help make it very unlikely but still I will see about getting at least a small curve in the guard in the next design especially since it will very likely be a bit larger.
I will also loose the bone as you suggested. Love the material but not sure about durability in this kind of use.
As far as assisted openers, it's not that I would not like to but remember I live in Canada and they have stupid...errr I mean strict rules for that. :mad: Just consider myself lucky that they haven't outlawed all the one hand openers altogether...yet. :rolleyes:
I'll try to do better with the name on the next one, promise. :o

Thanks for your feedback guys.

Side note:
I guess that 327 views and only 2 person replying also speaks to the fact that this might not be a very popular design and I am ok with that. Sure glad that I don't do this for a living cause what is coming when I finally go full time will be even more out there. I started maybe a year ago to think about toning down my designs to make them more popular, commercially speaking, and it has taken not all but still a lot of the fun out of it. Gotta leave that darn box far far behind. I just hope you guys will still enjoy it all.
 
Ok, here goes. I'm kind of hesitant on commenting because "If you can't do better then you might not want to say anything" so here's my comment as a buyer, not as a maker.

I like the blade shape.
I like the "handle ricasso" idea. However I think the rest of the handle is too thick when compared to the bolsters. It looks somewhat uncomfortable. This might not be true in real life as ergonomics can be a funny thing. But although from the side it looks ok. Once you see the thickness difference of the bolsters and scales I feel it's too extreme.

I'd agree on losing the bone. Also, it looks like there's quite the gap between the blackwood and the bone. I'm suspecting that might be intentional. But I don't like it.

Final comment, Although I like what you did with the bolster. The screws in it are too much of a distraction from the overall lines. I'd sooner swap those out either for pins that you can blend in the material, or at least smaller screws.

Love the profile of the knife though. And I think what you did with the handle ricasso/circly type texture going straight into the blade is one of the coolest ideas I've seen in a while.
 
Patrice Lemée;14769001 said:
Sosa, a more “Persian” like butt is a great idea and definitely something I'll try.

David, I knew you'd like the blade shape. Great minds like they say. ;)
As far as your hand slipping, the size combined with the cutout at the butt help make it very unlikely but still I will see about getting at least a small curve in the guard in the next design especially since it will very likely be a bit larger.
I will also loose the bone as you suggested. Love the material but not sure about durability in this kind of use.
As far as assisted openers, it's not that I would not like to but remember I live in Canada and they have stupid...errr I mean strict rules for that. :mad: Just consider myself lucky that they haven't outlawed all the one hand openers altogether...yet. :rolleyes:
I'll try to do better with the name on the next one, promise. :o

Thanks for your feedback guys.

Side note:
I guess that 327 views and only 2 person replying also speaks to the fact that this might not be a very popular design and I am ok with that. Sure glad that I don't do this for a living cause what is coming when I finally go full time will be even more out there. I started maybe a year ago to think about toning down my designs to make them more popular, commercially speaking, and it has taken not all but still a lot of the fun out of it. Gotta leave that darn box far far behind. I just hope you guys will still enjoy it all.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't worry about the views vs the replies, Pat. Could be a lotof reasons for that among which viewers on this forum are inundated with post after post. You will hit the right combination of commercial appeal vs your more out there designs. Just remember, sometimes, less is more:)
 
Patrice, I think these guys have all nailed it. The flow and individual design elements are all really strong, but when you put them together they don't feel quite as cohesive as they ought to. Although I love the 'bulbous' shaping of the segments, the spacing is too much of a distraction. There shouldn't be gaps. Blade shape and sweeping transition of the 'false plunge' is superb.

Those are my thoughts. Regardless, great workmanship, bro!!!
 
Good stuff guys! :thumbup:

LX, sure glad you changed your mind. That kind of feedback is exactly what a maker wants and from everyone not just other makers. Them (me included) are just kind of nuts anyway. ;) On comfort, I agree that you would think that but in actual use the bolster height difference acts as a kind of finger groove. I'll see how it performs with more use. Agree 100% about the screws now that you mention it.

David, what I meant is that the number of replies is also a kind of feedback in itself as far as popularity of a design anyway. Less is more is a constant struggle for me. ;)

Matthew, when I say makers are nuts, I mean in a good way. ;) Definitely a lot things to change.

I can't thank you enough for taking the time to help me guys. :thumbup:
 
all I can say, is keep at it. Folding knives are cool. Lemee knives are cool.
I'm looking forward to seein #10
 
I agree completely with Lorien. I love your knives in general. I'm really looking forward to seeing what you come up with in a more evolved design.
 
The Persian Star? The Star of Persia? Equalizer? Blood Feud? Ravensworth? The Street Sweeper? We are waiting, my friend:D
 
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No problem. As a relative new maker I know the value of feedback and how nice it is to get some that you can use.
 
David, you are indeed a master at this naming thing. I will be sure to check in with you first from now on to name my knives. :D :thumbup:
 
I love the design of this knife and would like to acquire the prototype. Please let me know. As far as the name is concerned, I think it's appearance dictates the name: "Swagger".
 
Thanks for your interest Badasur. Sadly since this is indeed a prototype, it is not for sale. But of course I can email you when I do make a finished one in case you are interested then.
Swagger is a good descriptive name.
 
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