Slipjoint #4 Complete....Critique

[T.Knotts]

Hello all....Here is #4. This was a test model for me. There were a few things that I wanted to do in the future and thought I would try them all on one knife and get things going. Well here is the final result:

3/32" O1 tool steel
brass hardware
Pinned SS Shield
Closed length 3 1/2" OAL 6 5/16"
Canvas Micarta scales
600 grit hand rub finish
Nice walk-and-talk. Centered blade. I would give the pull a 7.

I wanted to do a shadow pattern, crescent nail nick, shield, lanyard tube, shadow pattern and coin edge and I got them all in.

There are some things wrong with it. This was my first time working with Micarta so that was a learning experience on its own. Blade needs to be a bit longer and there is a hiccup in the coin edge and a couple other things...if I was making this to sell I would have scrapped it and started over....but it was a lesson. I thought I would show it here and get some critiques and comments.

Thanks for looking. As always, feel free to critique. I've gotten a lot of good tips from the members here and appreciate it very much.









Thanks for looking.

 

[Tilley Knife]

Beautiful work Tim. I love the blade profile. The swell at the base of the handle looks like it would give plenty of purchase for the hand. Very comfortable looking and a extremely clean execution. Well done!

 

[black mamba]

The blade being too short is an easy fix to my eye, as I don't care for the pointed butt. Rounding it down would take off about an eighth inch from the frame, making the blade length just right. Otherwise the construction and aesthetics are very good.

 

[JB in SC]

A lot of good things going on with this knife, the construction looks very nicely done. I'm supposing you're coining the liners with a knurling tool. The only two things I would point out are more design than execution, and that's purely subjective on my part: I would like to see the shield larger and the nick a bit thinner and longer.

 

[Ernie1980]

I don't see the problem with the coined edge, and I love the tight spring and liner! The blade profile looks nice, but I would make the nail nick longer and edit out the pointed rear.

Terrific job, I don't see any reason why you can't sell it:thumbup:

 

[Gevonovich]

Your on fire and it shows in this piece! I like how you made it your own with the style choices. Well done indeed

 

[Chief]

IMO the lanyard hole looks better centered than offset. Additionally, I think the shield is a little small compared to the rest of the knife and should be centered equally between the shadow pivot and the center pin.

 

[Cannonball970]

The shield is a bit too small/not long enough, and the lanyard tube really doesn't look good off center on a knife with a pointy butt. It's also a bit too close to the edge of the knife for my liking, even if it did not have a point. I actually like the variation on the coined edge, and you executed the shadow pattern quite nicely. Well done!

 

[boy&hisdogs]

I have to agree that the shield is too small, but other than that it looks great. And, normally I don't like decorative file work because it always looks too busy, but that coining is perfect. It reminds me more of checkering on a gun than anything really flashy or fancy. The whole knife is subtle, simple and clean. Just the way I like them.

 

[mike Berkovitch]

I think that the knife will benefit from rounded end and larger shield. Also maybe different shield, like bomb or maybe even bar. Great knife anyway.

Mike

 

[T.Knotts]

Beautiful work Tim. I love the blade profile. The swell at the base of the handle looks like it would give plenty of purchase for the hand. Very comfortable looking and a extremely clean execution. Well done!

Thank you Sir. It's actually pretty comfy to use. I was surprised.

The blade being too short is an easy fix to my eye, as I don't care for the pointed butt. Rounding it down would take off about an eighth inch from the frame, making the blade length just right. Otherwise the construction and aesthetics are very good.

Thanks you. I was going for a teardrop-ish look and feel to it. I had never done or held one in that design and really liked how this felt.

A lot of good things going on with this knife, the construction looks very nicely done. I'm supposing you're coining the liners with a knurling tool. The only two things I would point out are more design than execution, and that's purely subjective on my part: I would like to see the shield larger and the nick a bit thinner and longer.

Thanks and you are correct, I did use a knurling wheel to mark the liners then went over them with a jewelers saw. As for the nail nick...I like the deep nick but agree I might go longer next time.

I don't see the problem with the coined edge, and I love the tight spring and liner! The blade profile looks nice, but I would make the nail nick longer and edit out the pointed rear.

Terrific job, I don't see any reason why you can't sell it:thumbup:

Thanks Ernie. I need to do some more experimenting on that nail nick. To get that just right seems tough right now. The coined edge...I just see a spot that is unevenly spaced and it bothers me. I fought myself to leave it and up to the point pinned it, I contemplated redoing them. But I knew it wasn't going anywhere and wasn't even going to post pics of it but decided to anyways....I learn a lot from the members here everytime I show a knife.. In the end though it will be one of those things that I see everytime I look at it. Haha.

Your on fire and it shows in this piece! I like how you made it your own with the style choices. Well done indeed

Thank you Sir. This is the first one I did from my own scribble drawing and didn't have a photo to go from so it was a slightly different process in the build. I was happy with the feel of it overall...and it does carry nicely.

IMO the lanyard hole looks better centered than offset. Additionally, I think the shield is a little small compared to the rest of the knife and should be centered equally between the shadow pivot and the center pin.

Thanks Chief. My original plans was to have the thong tube nice and centered but when I started the build I realized that the blade sat to low in the handle to allow that. As part of my plan was to see if/how I could do a thong tube and flare it enough to hold the scales together, I decided to stay with the tube and move it to a spot it would fit. If I did another like this, I'm not sure if I would use the tube or not. I've received different opinions on it. BUT... I was happy to get it in there and flared enough to hold everything nice and snug.

The shield is a bit too small/not long enough, and the lanyard tube really doesn't look good off center on a knife with a pointy butt. It's also a bit too close to the edge of the knife for my liking, even if it did not have a point. I actually like the variation on the coined edge, and you executed the shadow pattern quite nicely. Well done!

Thank you Sir. I actually thought a shadow pattern would be much easier to build than one with bolsters.....for me it wasn't any easier..just a different set of steps.

Thanks again all.

 

[T.Knotts]

I have to agree that the shield is too small, but other than that it looks great. And, normally I don't like decorative file work because it always looks too busy, but that coining is perfect. It reminds me more of checkering on a gun than anything really flashy or fancy. The whole knife is subtle, simple and clean. Just the way I like them.

I think that the knife will benefit from rounded end and larger shield. Also maybe different shield, like bomb or maybe even bar. Great knife anyway.

Mike

Thanks guys. This was my first shield so I was actually just happy it fit haha... now that I have a better idea about shield inlay I need to get a larger selection to choose from. I'm finding that there is a lot of subjectivity with shields concerning size, shape and placement. Even after looking at tons of different photos from different makers I still haven't quite figured it out.

 

[joeradza]

As a buyer and not a maker, my comments refer to design, which is always subjective. If all the elements you referred to were first timers, I can only imagine the wow factor as time goes on. Good job.

Alan

 

[PWork]

I like everything about it. It's something different. Very nicely done.:thumbup:

 

[Bones13]

I'm liking this very much! Nice to see a little change up in profile and shapes....looks like it would be great in hand. Very cool....

 

[TsarBomba]

A modified teardrop, it seems. I actually like the pointy "butt" and the way the lines reflect a true shadow teardrop -- the blade seems to flesh out the teardrop shape very well. You can clearly see the offset frame when the blade is open (probably helps for ergos, too) but when it's closed you can see the symmetry. The Wharnie being too short isn't always a negative; sure, you can pack more blade into the knife but some people prefer a smaller, more detail-oriented blade. F&F look pretty great, your Micarta work came out excellent especially for a first time! I think I see your "hiccup" on the coining but, as Cannonball970 says, it doesn't detract from the knife per se. Obviously if you were selling a high-dollar custom you'd be looking for either full uniformity or that "organic" handmade feel instead of a mix of the two, but if you decided to carry and show off the knife to friends I can't see any fault.

As for criticisms...

IMO the lanyard hole looks better centered than offset. Additionally, I think the shield is a little small compared to the rest of the knife and should be centered equally between the shadow pivot and the center pin.

The shield is a bit too small/not long enough, and the lanyard tube really doesn't look good off center on a knife with a pointy butt. It's also a bit too close to the edge of the knife for my liking, even if it did not have a point.

Pretty much just this. I'm not a fan of the offset lanyard tube; when the knife is closed, a centered tube would just drive home that "shadow symmetry" concept in my mind's eye. A shorter blade could help play into that symmetry and leave you enough room for a centered (albeit smaller?) tube. The shield could be bigger but I'm sure you might find any number of people who like it just as it is. My personal belief is that the size might not be the issue, but the design -- I feel like a houndstooth shield would further enhance the lines of the knife (but then again I'm finding that the houndstooth is one of my favorite shields bar none ).

That being said, I think your proof-of-concepts turned out to be a pretty nice knife and I hope to see a lot of those elements in a future folder. :thumbup:

 

[shipwright]

I think it's an outstanding knife, I'd be proud to carry that one. There's any number of things you could change, but personally there's nothing that jumps out at me as wrong with this one. Even the slight error on the coining doesn't jump out as a major flaw, I would just chalk it up to a hand cut detail. Well done

 

[swaybacksteve]

This is a looker and a good take on the "teardrop". Despite your misgivings, I have no problem with that coin edge,,,looks like good clean cuts...just needs some evening out.
Like most the shield should be larger.
AT 3 1/2 inches oal I think you can lose the lanyard hole, making it easier to lengthen the blade and try for a Zulu spear some time, it would look great on this frame. but you wanted to experiment on making the lanyard. On off center lanyard may look better on a 3 7/8 to 4 inch knife.
The pivot hole could be larger also...just my personal pref as this one does look good.

Are you ever gonna try some SS, or better yet SS damascus?
will you try out some metal bolsters or better, differnet color micarta bolsters?

Practice makes perfect and is seems you are well into that.

 

[glennbad]

Looks very clean. Same as others for me regarding the shield. The placement of the lanyard hole is subjective, but I think it looks nice regardless. The coining is nice.

 

[T.Knotts]

@ Joerazda, PWork, Bones13, Tsarbomba and Shipwright---thanks for the comments! I appreciate them very much. I like that Houndstooth shield also. I will definitely have to add that one to my supply for the future.

This is a looker and a good take on the "teardrop". Despite your misgivings, I have no problem with that coin edge,,,looks like good clean cuts...just needs some evening out.
Like most the shield should be larger.
AT 3 1/2 inches oal I think you can lose the lanyard hole, making it easier to lengthen the blade and try for a Zulu spear some time, it would look great on this frame. but you wanted to experiment on making the lanyard. On off center lanyard may look better on a 3 7/8 to 4 inch knife.
The pivot hole could be larger also...just my personal pref as this one does look good.

Are you ever gonna try some SS, or better yet SS damascus?
will you try out some metal bolsters or better, differnet color micarta bolsters?

Practice makes perfect and is seems you are well into that.

Thank you Sir for your compliments and critiques. I haven't ventured into the SS venue yet. The two previous slipjoints I did, I used NS for the bolsters and really like that. The more I carry this knife, the more I'm liking the pattern. I think I might try a bolster in the future...maybe play around to see how a longer vs shorter bolster looks on it. As for the Zulu spear...Haven't done one yet but its on the "to do" list. I never pictured it in this frame but, you have me thinking now. It might just work.

Looks very clean. Same as others for me regarding the shield. The placement of the lanyard hole is subjective, but I think it looks nice regardless. The coining is nice.

Thank you very much Sir. I admire the work you do and have learned a lot about traditionals just from reading your posts. Your latest two posted by R Redden are amazing. Seeing your work on the T29 brought back a lot of memories of the knife my Grandpap used to carry so I guess I can blame you for the two latest T29's that followed me home. Thanks again!