So after hours and hours of work... I have a drawing... whatcha guys think?

Z

zachtateknives

Joined
May 4, 2010
Messages
382
I like it. 4.5" blade length.

IMG_20130105_145626_zps160ff183.jpg


I was thinking flat ground with a 30* micro bevel. Nickel bolsters and pins. Black paper micarta. All polished up with a nice fat leather sheath and a silver lanyard bead.

Don't know what steel to use though.

Thoughts?
 
I like it, though with that style and maker's mark, if I had just seen it on a shelf somewhere, I'd think it was a zero tolerance.
 
Nice flow, good looking knife. Is there a rear bolster? Or is that an exposed tang? If exposed, that thin bit of handle material hanging down could break off easily with use.


-Xander
 
I like it Zach. Maybe some 5/32" x 1.5, finish around 9 1/2", With the nickel maybe some SS, lots of of good choices out there in that regards, i like good ol ATS-34, the 154 sreies is nice as well, not to hard on the wallet and tools and finishes nicely!
On a side note I spun the screen and asked my youngest what he thought, he is my worst critic and only 8..."I like it.....in damascus"??? From the mouth of babes? Either way nice design.
Greg
 
I don't have anything to say about the way it will function because I have no experience, but I will say the design looks great! Is it going to be a user or are you going to keep it for show? Just curious
 
knife to a gunfight said:
I like it, though with that style and maker's mark, if I had just seen it on a shelf somewhere, I'd think it was a zero tolerance.
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tobii3 said:
Knife looks good, zach!...but your makers mark needs to be different to avoid being associated with Zero Tolerance
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I am not so worried about Zero Tolerance (although now it's sitting there in the back of my mind) but more so Zombie Tools (even though Zero Tolerance is more common)... when I first stumbled onto their site a few years back, I noticed right away the similarities, I still use mine as it's my initials I only stamp my mark and I have used it for so long. Maybe someone has some maker mark ideas for me?

fast14riot said:
Nice flow, good looking knife. Is there a rear bolster? Or is that an exposed tang? If exposed, that thin bit of handle material hanging down could break off easily with use.

-Xander
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It will have bolsters front and rear.

JParisi48 said:
I don't have anything to say about the way it will function because I have no experience, but I will say the design looks great! Is it going to be a user or are you going to keep it for show? Just curious
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I plan to use it, ALOT!

12345678910 said:
I'd be careful about the pins being too close to the outside edges
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Thank you, will look at pin placement whenever I get around to building this.

jstn said:
Looks good! I would want that blade in Elmax.
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Thank you.

gotmike said:
very nice... beautiful lines...
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Thank you, it took a lot of paper and erasing.

GTH11 said:
I like it Zach. Maybe some 5/32" x 1.5, finish around 9 1/2", With the nickel maybe some SS, lots of of good choices out there in that regards, i like good ol ATS-34, the 154 sreies is nice as well, not to hard on the wallet and tools and finishes nicely!
On a side note I spun the screen and asked my youngest what he thought, he is my worst critic and only 8..."I like it.....in damascus"??? From the mouth of babes? Either way nice design.
Greg
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Thanks for the info. Always nice to hear from experienced makers.
 
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The shape and design look good, with the exception of the pins being a bit close to the edge.

It isn't a simple build with the shape of the bolsters and such. It is a lot easier to shape and change things with pencil, paper, and an eraser than to do it in metal with tools and abrasives :)
 
bladsmth said:
The shape and design look good, with the exception of the pins being a bit close to the edge.

It isn't a simple build with the shape of the bolsters and such. It is a lot easier to shape and change things with pencil, paper, and an eraser than to do it in metal with tools and abrasives :)
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Yes definitely not an easy build!
A couple of years back I attempted to do one in similar fashion. It was my fourth knife and it took me forever and it turned out not the greatest!

4914121912_bd28166df7_b.jpg


Thanks for the kind words, maybe by next year I will get around to this and have the skillset to do it correct!
 
I still use mine as it's my initials I only stamp my mark and I have used it for so long. Maybe someone has some maker mark ideas for me?
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Do you have a middle name?
Is Zach Tate Knives (ZTK) out of the question?
zach_zpse724f4f9.png
 
Also cool to overlay them directly.... but a little harder to discern. Not exactly Google friendly

zach2_zps84242e00.png
 
Fortunately, you have a relatively short name that you can take advantage of. You should be able to quite easily fit "TATE" or even Z. TATE anywhere on the blade.
I too have a similar first/last initial mark:
5133026317_b1b7b2d17a_m.jpg


but I also always include "A. Riley" as well as the steel type on all my blades as well.
 
only reason i thought you might need a custom stamp is it might be a bit hard to get them lined up every time... the T & K can fit into each other for alignment... but the T on the Z would be hard... but you're free to use it... or modify it to your liking... obviously... just an idea...
 
you guys are drunk! ...this mark looks nothing like the zero tolerance mark.

Blade shape looks very functional Zach, great design... not a fan of the bolsters but thats personal preference.
 
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