Small hunter design critique please

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Perrin

Joined
May 12, 2013
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I have been wanting to make a few small hunters for some friends to test out. I would like the community's opinion as to these designs. Good, bad, weird whatever. I plan to make one or more in 1/8th 52100 and be FFG or convex ground. Handle material is up in the air and open for suggestions. Leaning toward micarta, g10 or stabilized wood. Hardware depicted are countersunk 1/4" torx head screws but more likely 1/4" corbys. Placement ok? Let me know what you think?

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They have a nice look to them, but for me as good knives to use are a little wide from the tip of the blade to the butt of the handle. Frank
 
Have you made in hand copies out of cardboard/plexiglass/wood yet?? I found with my own design beginnings that what I liked in hand was not always what my eye liked, and vice versa. They look like they have a solid blade profile, and I like the handle, I just have some disconnect between the two. I really want to like them, try them out in hand and then get back to us is my suggestion. Placement of pins and other concerns should come second to comfort in hand IMO. Great start- the adventure lies in where they end up when you stop!!
 
Thanks for the feedback so far. Frank am I hearing you correctly in thinking over all a bit stubby and too thick in the butt where one's pinky would wrap around? Esp #3?
CLaK, I don't have a wooden mock up done yet of any of these but will once I narrow down a closer contender. I rather like making the wooden models.
Does anyone have any preference as far as tip shape, esp between #'s 2 and 3? Handle suggestions? Particular models to look to inspiration for?
 
I like them. I like #2 and #3 overall the best. Here are my opinions since you asked for a critique. It just how I see them....

Not sure about what the little squares are in size, but I think the handles are just a little wide in proportion to the blades. Kind of looks blocky, I would add more curve or slope to the lines in the handle.

My opinion on the pins is this... I think they are too far in from the butt and the front of the scales. I would move the front one forward just a tad. Very small amount and move the back one back just a tad as well. The #2 front pin looks almost perfect for me, but the back needs to go just a little bit backwards.

I think that the back ends is are a little bit too pointing on #2 and needs to look like #3. And then the point on the bottom of the back of the scales looks like a lump to me and doesn't flow.

Most of my hunter blades are similar to #2 in shape. But #3 is so close and it flows really well its hard to say which has the better tip shape. Make both.

Handle suggestions, Micarta, G10, stabilized wood burl, are all good, just make sure you finish them out. It is really the buyers preference. I did two recently that were the same model, but one has hunter orange g10, the other stabilized box elder burl.

I think the patterns are good thing to do and to be to scale and as detailed as possible and most of what I said is just what I would like to see if I was making them or if I was to buy one.
 
#2 is best looking to me. Nothing wrong with #1, but I like a shorter blade for a utility hunter. #3 is OK bladewise, but the handle looks too fat.
 
More really good feedback, thank you. I don't disagree with any of those assessments. I like #3 best and have revised the drawing slightly by rounding the bottom of the butt. I was aiming for slightly stubby with a flatish profile.

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I will also submit this slightly larger drop point for criticism from the masses of much more knowledgeable people than myself. (top knife in photo is not knife in question, it is way out of proportion etc)

largerdropointhunter_zpscb9fdad8.jpg


Also, I have some 1/8" 52100, however might I be better served using some 0.110" thickness in the same steel for these projects?
 
I would say that the last knife is definitely the best of all of them although I feel the butt is still a little too wide. Looking good though
 
Last sketch is good. When designing a handle, ask yourself, "Would the handle need to be wider than the blade on this knife?"
 
In terms of blade shape I tend to prefer a bit less belly at the tip. Too much and it becomes difficult to turn in tight places like getting through cartilage at joints.
 
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