Skeletal handled knives, do you own one? Would you own one?

L

Lynn Grififth Knives

Joined
Jul 30, 1999
Messages
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Do you own a skeletal handled knife? Would you own one? Do you like this to be an option on a knife? Would you be more apt to buy a skeletal version of a knife, if it were significantly cheaper then the handled version? All input is appreciated.


Thanks,

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Lynn Griffith
Available knives now listed on
My website
GriffithKN@aol.com

 
Have owned, will own again, and like it very much as an option.

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Marion David Poff aka Eye, one can msg me at mdpoff@hotmail.com If I fail to check back with this thread and you want some info, email me.

My site is at: http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Meadows/1770 Including my review of the Kasper AFCK, thougths on the AFCK and interview of Bob Kasper.

"We will either find a way, or make one." Hannibal, 210 B.C.


 
Lynn-I like the idea. It's nice to have the option of going skeletal, as some knives look and perform just fine with a nice paracord wrap. Especially neck knives, where less footprint is important. And if it is a significant price decrease, all the better!
 
How much could we save if you left off the blade, also??
Just kidding Lynn,
No I don't, and No I wouldn't.
 
Just sold the only one I owned. I would not buy another, no matter the savings. I don't think it would serve your line well.

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James Segura
San Francisco, CA


 
Lynn,
I think you should go for it! I've done several handle variations on the tantos and the Small one looks sharp, skeletal. My only thoughts on the para cord idea is that it will triple the thickness of 1/8" thick blade material. If you cross the wraping Japanese style, it comes out even thicker! This is fine on a larger knife. It makes neck knives very thick and hard to hide.
I also like the skeletal design on the Bud Nealy Bokers. It has a thin handle material with holes going through it and the blade tang. Some of the Polkowski knives are made the same way.
Neil

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Just updated 10/31!! New Knives, New Pics!!!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html

 
hmmm. with all that mokume, mother of pearl and oosic laying around, I wouldn't want one... but you tactical guys apparently aren't concerned about the potential gor excessive amounts of g-10 accumulating in knifemakers shops.... no skeletons for me!

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Dances with lemmings

 
I do own a couple of them. Only smaller knives. I have handled larger knives with skelatal handles and do not prefer them. I see a larger knife to be used in larger tasks and therefore needing more to hold on to. (Not always, but generally speaking.)
 
I enjoy making my own handles for my stiff kiss, it is my favorite thing about the knife. The skeletal design allows me to customize my knife and if I get bored with it I can always make a new handle and have a new knife. For me this amounts to more fun for less money

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The early-bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese!
 
Yes - I like the idea.

If Crawford's neck knife was not bead blasted - I would have bought it long time ago.

David
 
Hi Lynn,

I might own some...

I don't know because if I do I never use them!

I think they all ended up in "the closet".

Seriously though, I see no purpose for having holes in the handle of a knife unless they are large enough to put your fingers in. :c)

Later,
John


[This message has been edited by automantic (edited 08 November 1999).]
 
Lynn,

I have the REKAT Fang, Utility and the Mission MPU -- All skeletal. The REKAT's are good, lightweight hideaway (last ditch) knives but too thin (1/8" stock) for any serious utility work.

The MPU, however, with it's thicker stock (5/32") and contoured handle feels more comfortable for general utility work. It is of course heavier. This is the one I take to go fishing (also it's 440C vs REKAt's 1095 steel.) MD'2020 made two MCS sheaths for it. These are much better (and lighter) than original sheath. So, I'll test them out in a covert carry.

I believe your Patrolman is much longer than the REKAT's and the MPU. I think with it's 1/8" stock, it'll feel as uncomfortable or even more so than the REKAT's for extended general use.

I think you would be better off making a skeletal knife with a thicker stock on a shorter blade than messing with the Patrolman (which seems to be a good knife as is).

sing

AKTI #A000356
 
Lynn, I own a few skeletal handles, typically on neck knives. My ROb Simonich Cetan Tanto kit knife had a skeletal handle, too, but I finished it with Micarta scales and drilled/filed the holes out through the scales.
I think skeletal handles are a nice idea. I offered an idea on the Spyderco forum a while back, so I'll bring it up here again...I think an AWESOME idea would be to offer s skeletal handle with holes for screws to fix scales to the handle as an additional option. You could have pre-made scales drilled, shaped, and ready to be sold as options. I think you work exclusively in Micarta, so woods would be out of the question from you as a source, but there are half a dozen commonly available Micartas, so a person could mix and match as they like. This would only work, however, if there were tight tolerance controls on the handle profiles and placement of the screws. This would probably require laser cutting of the the blade blanks and screw holes and that may be a loss of control over production that you feel is crucial. It is do-able, though, but probably more so on a production level rather than a handmade one.
As far as cost goes, let's see...
$150 knife to begin with. Subtract materials for the handles...pins, epoxy, and Micarta scales, plus sandpaper if you use it, and you're probably knocking about $10 off the cost right there. Subtract the time, which is most important, to finishing the scales, and that is a significant savings. I think it would be fair to knock $50-$70 off the final price because so much work goes into fitting and finishing handle materials. Especially if you plan to bead blast the things...you grind, heat treat, clean up, blast, and sell! If you do go with the replaceable scale idea, I would think $30-$40 per set of scales would be appropriate, with the upper end being nicer materials with a polished finish, for example.

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My Custom Kydex Sheath page:
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Palmer College of Chiropractic
On Two Wheels
agocs_s@dd.palmer.edu
Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html
 
I own a few older production models but don't use any of them. I have large hands and have never been comfortable with the skinny handles.
Now.......a neck knife is different. A neck knife should be slim and inconspicuous. The skeleton handle is a fair tradeoff.



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BrianWE
ICQ #21525343

 
A Mission MPU in 440C, used ocaissionally, and mostly for lighter utility around the lab here. Nice little knife, pretty robust for a skeletonized knife. Not fond of the factory sheath, but as a "blade cover", it's okay. Would require a better sheath for general carry for my own tastes, however.

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Don LeHue

The pen is mightier than the sword...outside of arm's reach. Modify radius accordingly for rifle.


 
Lynn,

Is it as narrow as it looks in the picture?

As such, it might bother me, since I have a short torso, but other than that the profile would be good.

Might look at rounding the point for the index groove. Other than that, good looking.

Do you have a scanner? Personally I like those sort of images better, less distortion.

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Marion David Poff aka Eye, one can msg me at mdpoff@hotmail.com If I fail to check back with this thread and you want some info, email me.

My site is at: http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Meadows/1770 Including my review of the Kasper AFCK, thougths on the AFCK and interview of Bob Kasper.

"We will either find a way, or make one." Hannibal, 210 B.C.


 
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