small knife design

koyote

koyote

Joined
Mar 29, 2007
Messages
5,846
I've done up a few of these - I call it a "Sierra patch hiker" for lack of a better term.

started off a bit different than it is now, but there's two versions I'm going to produce.

This was one of the earlier ones:

http://sietchtabr.googlepages.com/image23.jpg

This is the 'ultralight' version, thin thin saw stock (L6) and tough and bendy as can be. Edge holding is pretty good, not quite what it is on a really nice old martinni puuko (my test knife)

you can bone with this and do up a trout or clean up salmon wings okay. One of my house mates is a butcher and tested it out for me with animal carcass work.You'll see the scales come a bit farther forward on this one for thumb room since the blade is thin.

sorry about the quality of these pics:

http://sietchtabr.googlepages.com/image2.jpg
http://sietchtabr.googlepages.com/image4.jpg
http://sietchtabr.googlepages.com/image5.jpg

These are photos of the woodcraft version (for lack of a better term). 3.25 inch blade, 1/8 inch O1 stock. belly is pretty good. handle is VERY comfortable and stable. Balance is right at the index finger (that was luck). The lanyard hole is a bit far back, I want another 1/8 inch of scale material on future models. I'm fond of scandi grinds, but I'll probably do either a very shallow scandi (20 degrees) or a flat grind for people who want to edge it out at 30. With the handle curve, the tip is right in line with the wrist.

Sheaths are missing from pics but are pretty regular pouch type single welt sheaths going halfway up the handle or so, with a "gadget" loop up front for strikers or screwdrivers or pencils or whatever. Leastwise, I generally pop a screwdriver in there if I'm working on bikes in the shop or something.

Aside from giving fiddleback some pics to see, I'm curiuous about other thoughts on the design. It's very easy to use.
 
Looks like a good design to me. I like the name too, what part of the Sierra do you frequent? Do you do ultralight type backpacking? For most backpacking chores, I like a small fixed blade like that much better than a folder or SAK.
 
I really, really like the design. I'm a huge fan of Scandi grinds, and I love that blade style. I haven't found a particular use for it yet, but it doesn't seem to detract from anything either, and looks fantastic!

It's a very impressive little knife, but....since you did ask for opinions....

I tend to favor knives with a bit more handle and edge. I'm not at all a fan of large guards or ricasso's. If I hadn't totally exhausted my knife funds for the next six months, the only thing that would make me hesitate on that knife is the thick part of the handle/ guard. It's not really grippable, doesn't cut, and if safety is what's in mind, the same goal could be achieved with less.

But....once again, I think it's a helluva nice knife overall, and certainly better than I could do. Besides that, it's likely the next poster will say "hey! I like how you did that handle! it looks super safe and secure!":D
 
tknife said:
Looks like a good design to me. I like the name too, what part of the Sierra do you frequent? Do you do ultralight type backpacking? For most backpacking chores, I like a small fixed blade like that much better than a folder or SAK.
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We live in Davis and have small kids, so I'm not getting out as much as I'd like. Most of our family trips are along 395 on the eastern side, which is more "homey" to me and less crowded! I like soloing up anywhere near Sonora Pass or along the PCT, depends on if I can get out. Lately I've been sneaking "cold camp" solo overnights along local creeks and unused land.

I am a huge fan of ultralight, which is a really cast iron b*tch for me since I'm also a packrat. And I'm also a fan of family old style high impact camping, but I moderate that by doing it at home or helping other families out with making 'woodcrafty' playsets and pit bbqs and playhouses.

I love my SAK, and I don't leave bed without it. but yes, I really like a fixed blade, especially a tough bendable one, for camp chores and around the 'stead.

AS much of an outspoken short blade and hatchet fan I am, I also like a big blade for some chores and some of my work. I'm working on a broken back seax chopper design now, but that's going to be slow work, I need to make and sell some knives before my wife kills me :)

*IF* I'm good enough to sell a few now. Been a rough learning road.
 
Runs With Scissors said:
It's a very impressive little knife, but....since you did ask for opinions....

I tend to favor knives with a bit more handle and edge. I'm not at all a fan of large guards or ricasso's. If I hadn't totally exhausted my knife funds for the next six months, the only thing that would make me hesitate on that knife is the thick part of the handle/ guard. It's not really grippable, doesn't cut, and if safety is what's in mind, the same goal could be achieved with less.
Click to expand...

The handle is pretty thick on the heavy version, really thin (overall thickness is about a half inch) on the ultralight. The thick handle works well, thumb grooves would probably help a bit. One thing in the photos is that I've got pretty big ham hands.

I have been trying to work out a 'stretched' version that looks and handles well, I'd like another inch of blade and maybe 1/2 inch of handle and I need to thin out the index finger area more, I think. that would help with the set of the hand in the guard area.

Thanks for the response, It's a definite help :)
 
I'm in the same boat. I like to bring lots of stuff, but also like to travel light. I usually leave lots of gear in my car when I head out. I could easily pack 10 pounds of knives too just to play with :D I think you are on the right track with your design, and getting out and using a knife you made your self is something I hope to do someday.
 
Those are great. What are you using for your 01 steel stock? Bar stock? I saw the L6 came from saws. Very nicely done! Your pin placement is very good.
 
Looks like a user to me--- kind of like a fushion of a Grohmann belt knife and Nessmuk. It's the curves :)
 
looks like a pretty handy design to me.....:thumbup: :thumbup: the handle looks very comfortable....

i'm a sucker for a good fixed blade.....:o
 
Fiddleback said:
Those are great. What are you using for your 01 steel stock? Bar stock? I saw the L6 came from saws. Very nicely done! Your pin placement is very good.
Click to expand...

The O1 in this case is new PG stock. I'm not even sure yet I don't want to find some 1084 PG stock.... until I start forging.

I messed up so many pins measuring I started going by feel and checking after each hole to balance and it got a *lot* better. thanks! :)

DaleW said:
Looks like a user to me--- kind of like a fushion of a Grohmann belt knife and Nessmuk. It's the curves :)
Click to expand...

What's funny, is I wasn't even thinking Nessmuk when I started these. I was thinking of merging ergonomics with the puukko and a pacific northwest style of fishing knife I saw. The grohmann was definitely an influence, but there's something about them that doesn't quite mesh with me for outdoors use. Which is obviously a fault with me, not the knives ;)
 
I do mine by feel too. I don't want them perfect. I use autocad enough at work. My knifework comes from somewhere else.
 
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