Question for me, ask away.

allen456

allen456

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Saw a thread over on Chris's forum and I really liked the concept. Feel free to ask away any questions you have for me as the maker. I will do my best to answer questions asap, but other members, please feel free to hop in. Cheers! Thank you for all of the continued support!!!
 
Allen,

Do you think a Big Palmer-shaped handle would work in a larger size, say in the 5-5.3" range? Sort of the next size up in the Runt--Palmer--Big Palmer handle family. The handles on my Huntsman and Big Palmer are perfection for my 3-finger grips and am wondering what their shape would be like in a version large enough for a full, 4-finger grip.

Good idea for a thread.
 
I agree with Jim, cool thread.

I'd love to know how you select which patterns to make each week, whether there's a system or is it more just your gut feel/preference?

Thanks Allen.

Ben
 
joarthur said:
Allen,

Do you think a Big Palmer-shaped handle would work in a larger size, say in the 5-5.3" range? Sort of the next size up in the Runt--Palmer--Big Palmer handle family. The handles on my Huntsman and Big Palmer are perfection for my 3-finger grips and am wondering what their shape would be like in a version large enough for a full, 4-finger grip.

Good idea for a thread.
Click to expand...

I have been playing with this exact idea. Still in the works, but stay tuned.....
 
Peroni1973 said:
I agree with Jim, cool thread.

I'd love to know how you select which patterns to make each week, whether there's a system or is it more just your gut feel/preference?

Thanks Allen.

Ben
Click to expand...

Great question. I do listen to what the forum has been requesting, but honestly, most of the selection is based just off a gut feeling. Obviously, I am not always right, lol, but it has become part of the excitement for me to feel the market. When it comes to the weekly selection, I try to have a diverse group, rarely having more than one of the same model. I typically make batches of 14-28 once or twice a month. I will pick the knives for the week usually only an hour or so before the thread. The rest remain in my reserve until the following week or have been slated for dealers. I hope this answered your question.

Keep them coming!
 
Allen, I did not see it on the current pricing and lineup thread. What is the blade length and handle length (generally) on the patch knife?
 
I like the 3 to 3.25 inch blades, but I find that a lot of smaller knives have a handle that are just too short, I like a 4 finger grip, so how do you decide on what length a handle should be for a smaller knife? I know function plays the major role, but does aesthetics also come into play? Great thread to ask questions.
 
How did you come up with the Arowana style and specs? What did you design it to be used for primarily?
 
cbach8tw said:
I like the 3 to 3.25 inch blades, but I find that a lot of smaller knives have a handle that are just too short, I like a 4 finger grip, so how do you decide on what length a handle should be for a smaller knife? I know function plays the major role, but does aesthetics also come into play? Great thread to ask questions.
Click to expand...

Great question. Function plays a major role, but the aesthetics follow very closely. On the smaller knives, aesthetics is a big concern in my eye. Sometimes, the blade comes after the handle though. When I modified Andy's Palmer to create the Big Palmer, I fell in love with the handle. i would say I have average sized hands and with the Big Palmer handle, I am still able to have a tight four finger grip. Obviously, several models were born from that handle, and there are a couple more still bouncing around in my head. For knives like the patch, I knew I wanted an overall smaller package. With that in mind, I tried to keep the handle a bist straighter and streamlined to allow for various grips even in the smaller handle. I have designed a couple of other knives, not yet put to steel, that have a full 5" handle, but a sub 3" blade.
 
bloody_pawprint said:
How did you come up with the Arowana style and specs? What did you design it to be used for primarily?
Click to expand...

The arowana was inspired by the Arapaima. I had been trying to design a smaller light weight camp knife/food prep knife. With the longer blade, it makes for great light chopping while the rocker in the cutting edge helps to be a useful food slicer. Originally, I was only going to offer them in 5/32" with the occasional 1/8". However, the demand for thinner stock to become a dedicated kitchen knife led to the addition of several in 3/32".
 
allen456 said:
Great question. I do listen to what the forum has been requesting, but honestly, most of the selection is based just off a gut feeling. Obviously, I am not always right, lol, but it has become part of the excitement for me to feel the market. When it comes to the weekly selection, I try to have a diverse group, rarely having more than one of the same model. I typically make batches of 14-28 once or twice a month. I will pick the knives for the week usually only an hour or so before the thread. The rest remain in my reserve until the following week or have been slated for dealers. I hope this answered your question.

Keep them coming!
Click to expand...

Totally answered my question - and for me it keeps things interesting! Thanks Allen...

Ben
 
Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions, very refreshing to hear the maker's thoughts behind an idea or opinions.
 
Thanks, Allen. I'm staying tuned. Looks as though my question is similar to that of cbach8tw.

Again, thanks for this thread. I'm impressed with how you seem to be finding a way to take buyers' interests into consideration without getting into the problems associated with custom work, such as having to nurse a two-year waiting list that just squelches your creativity.

Also,
allen456 said:
I have been playing with this exact idea. Still in the works, but stay tuned.....
Click to expand...
 
VANCE said:
why don't you hollow grind anymore?
Click to expand...

I do some occasionally. I stopped for the most part during my move. My machines were down for a couple of months and i prefer to use my wheels when hollow grinding. The flat grinding is second nature from grinding the fiddlebacks every week. Changing to mostly flat grinds just fell into place
 
I have a couple of questions.
First, when you do drawings of new designs do you do them free hand? Some of the sketches that you've posted look so well drawn.
Second, any plans for some guard-less models like a full size Puukko or something along those lines?

Thanks for answering these questions. :thumbup:
 
Onedog said:
I have a couple of questions.
First, when you do drawings of new designs do you do them free hand? Some of the sketches that you've posted look so well drawn.
Second, any plans for some guard-less models like a full size Puukko or something along those lines?

Thanks for answering these questions. :thumbup:
Click to expand...


As far as the sketches, mostly freehand except for the occasional use of the ruler. Here is the setup:
Guardless knives, possibly the puukko, but haven't given much thought to many guardless. I really like the look of the simple integrated guards.
Hosted on Fotki
 
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