Rigging Knives - Work in Progress

[fast14riot]

Thanks Ryan!

...yeah that red bull is gnarly stuff! I need some on occasion with the new baby but it takes it out of you later when the caffeine wears off.

Dude, its the same thing as not getting a hang over, just don't stop drinking! I should of bought stock in Folgers right before my son was born,I must have gone through a big can a week!

Wicked cool!


-Xander

 

[Daniel Fairly Knives]

Here's the first one all finished up!

And the second one with teak, I just got it glued up.

 

[fast14riot]

Dude, I am soooo stoked about this project! This design will be an awesome work knife for more than just on the water use. The stout blade shape and strong profile will excell at any sort of hard use. I urge and bush crafter to try one, they may be surprised!

If you want to talk more about the Marlin spike design, Daniel, feel free to give me a call and I can give you some of the finer points to it.


-Xander

 

[peterinct]

I guess my definition of a "rigging" knife is incorrect, as the name makes me think of a knife with a "marlin spike".

Your knife looks very utilitarian and well made, just not what I was thinking of.

What type of "rigging" are your knives designed for?

Peter

 

[fast14riot]

Peter, I guess the folding spike knives are what most land people consider rigging knives, and they are used as such, but a fixed blade and seperate spike is actually more usefull abord ship. Many times the spike and knife are needed at the same time, so having them on the same handle makes it kinda tough!

These knives are a design collaboration betwen Daniel and I, I race sailboats semi professionally and do riggng on the side. When we started this project I gave Daniel my specifics about useage, key features like the sheeps foot blade and a few others, told him the workable size range but let him come up with the actual shape in his own style. I think he nailed it!

Your idea of a "rigging" knife is correct, just incomplete. Fixed blade riggers are very common as well. Back in the days of sail, a crewmans knife was a very personal, and extremely important tool. Each man had one. It was used for most anything, eating, carving to waste hours, basically anything.

The folding riggers are like trying to eat a steak with a fork that has the knife blade on the other end of the handle. Ok for most of the time but sooner or later you're going to need to hold the steak with the fork and cut it with the knife!


-Xander

 

[peterinct]

Thanks for the explanation Xander. It makes perfect sense. I don't have the type of sailing experience that you describe, so I wouldn't know having individual implements is more functional.

I have seen some packages with a utility knife having a separate spike and a place on the sheath to hold it.

Peter

 

[neckyzips]

beautiful work! the design is awesome, ive been looking for something along these lines! (please let me know if you do a production run)

would there be any way to incorporate a shackle key into the blade?
or would that cause interference with the blade design?
and or could a marlin spike be made with the key and accompany the knife as a set?

 

[Daniel Fairly Knives]

beautiful work! the design is awesome, ive been looking for something along these lines! (please let me know if you do a production run)

would there be any way to incorporate a shackle key into the blade? Yes, it is possible for sure.
or would that cause interference with the blade design? The grind may have to be pulled down a little but it would work well otherwise.
and or could a marlin spike be made with the key and accompany the knife as a set? Possible as well!

I'll keep these ideas in mind on the next ones. Thanks!

In the meanwhile I have a knife planned in Carbidized Titanium that would be great for sailing, diving, mountaineering and lightweight camping that you may like. Look out soon!

Here's some teak! Pardon the lint.

 

[Lorien]

I love a purpose built knife.
The idea of doing this pattern in ti with carbidized edge seems like the right way to go in future endeavours. Definitely seems like a good niche market to tap.
I am curious about the exposed tang as a design feature for a knife like this (?)

 

[Daniel Fairly Knives]

I love a purpose built knife.
The idea of doing this pattern in ti with carbidized edge seems like the right way to go in future endeavours. Definitely seems like a good niche market to tap.
I am curious about the exposed tang as a design feature for a knife like this (?)

Lorien, I really appreciate you taking the time to comment on my work. I always hope for feedback on my work and enjoy the questions.

Also, I appreciate the constructive manner in which ask about my design, I am always looking to improve my work and this makes me think about the design even more.


I'm glad you like the idea of a Titanium version, I think it will be great.



Exposed Tang

-on a wet boat deck this allows for ease in picking up the knife, I also made the scales very rounded to make it easier to retrieve

This may sound like a stretch but on a boat that is under way it may take all you have to pick up your knife, I have been there.

-Allows for unrestricted lanyard movement

-Can be useful for indexing on the exposed scale ends with a reverse grip, this gives control while scoring or pull cuts

-Whacking stuff! - crushing nuts or forcing a seized part into moving

-It also helps a bit with balance, these also have a tapered tang which is hollowed out and skeletonized, I did everything to ensure it feels lively


Is the exposed tang a necessary feature on a knife like this? No, but I think it couldn't hurt when you need it.

Thanks again for the question!

 

[fast14riot]

:thumbup:


-X

 

[Lorien]

never considered the 'retrieval' rationale, that makes good sense.