Sparkling Smile is a big knife, or it could be....

David Mary

David Mary

pass the mustard - after you cut it
Moderator
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Jul 23, 2015
Messages
16,943
Good morning friends. Many of you are already familiar with the EDC Universal 1 and EDC Universal 2. I like to make "universal" blanks for some designs as that allows me to customize individual orders. Not everyone wants the exact same blade shape. Behold the Sparkling Smile:

1750654083964.png

Here is a quote where I explained the thought process and origin of the idea for the Sparkling Smile:

David Mary said:
It's only an idea at this point, which I drew up in the last hour or two, in response to being asked what I could come up with that would compare favorable with the RMJ Combat Africa.

Mine is similar blade shape, except with a subtle swell toward the belly and about an inch more blade to give it some extra oomf in the chop. Not sure what the RMJ tang looks like under the scales, but I designed this one skeletonized so it can chop above it weight class due to the blank's forward balance. Depending on customer requests, between grinding and handle configuration I should be able to move the balance point anywhere from a couple inches ahead of the guard, to just ahead of the forefinger groove. Probably looking at 1/4" stock for the "lead pipe" effect. Kind of a bear to grind, but once I get it to near zero and put a newsprint slicing edge on, it will be beautiful and terrifying.

The guard is set up to allow a less cramped saber grip than what the Combat Africa looks to allow from the pics I have seen, while also locking the hand in better on account of the pronounced swell. This would take either lightweight materials like wood, Micarta, or Grip-Tec™ with sculpted coke bottley scales, or perhaps heavier and flatter materials like smooth or textured Suretouch, or textured G10.

Scales would fully cover the guard in a straight line so that sheath mating can be accomplished by grabbing the scale material, and the primary grind, as a result would, be diagonal, parallel with the edge of the scales. Also this would add comfort to the saber grip in that your thumb is pushing against not only the tang thumb ramp, but also the scale material, which will be well chamfered. It can be done with a crowned spine, a sharp spine, and with sharpened, unsharpened or no swedge.

And it didn't have a name, but since you asked while I was working on this, why not call it that. :)

If this becomes a reality, I'd guess we're looking at 2026.
Click to expand...

Here is an example of how one might ask for their knife to be done. Note the image below shows the planned scale material coverage as well.

1750654070336.png

The possibilities are really limitless. Whatever blade shape you can draw on that blank, I can make for you. Don't like a top guard? I can make it without one. That top one is practically a smatchet.

1750655035793.png

Hypothetical base price of $400, which includes Canada Post expedited shipping to anywhere in North America (including Alaska and Hawaii), a Black Boltaron taco sheath, and natural wood scales sanded up to 400 grit working finish and treated with Danish oil. Given the large handle, and the wide guard, I'd estimate a minimum $30 increase for synthetic scale materials such as Micarta or G10, and even more for Suretouch, Grip-Tec™, carbon fiber, etc.

I'd be taking a 30% deposit up front for the base price. Blade profile, grinds, handles and possible upgrades and their additional costs would be determined individually at some point before build time (but if you have something particular in mind best to hit me up by DM ASAP).

My instincts tell me to run it in 1/4" thick AEB-L at around 61 HRC to get that sweet toughness in a steel that doesn't make me want to pull my hair out when grinding a huge slab of it. But I'm open to ideas. Do you want to pay $200 more for it in 3V?? I wouldn't. But if that's what everyone will want, mine is but to serve.

So you guys tell me. Am I going to do a run of these? I won't unless I know I've got the overhead covered. How many will I need?
 
Last edited:
"That top one is practically a smatchet."

Ok, now that does snatch the attention. I am in no position to commit to a preorder, but if I was then I would prefer AEB-L at 61 RC as suggested by David. I couldn't think of a better steel to use for something like this. If carbon was the preference, then I'd advocate for 15n20.
 
id be in for one. not picky on steel choice. David's good at pickin steels.

I trust his instincts on what steel is best for that knife. not sure which blade shape id want have to think.on that one. love the flexibility of choices on it though.
 
Cool design, size, and concept David!

That 1st design, with a big Old nasty Swedge on top of the clip (if that’s what ya call it), would look pretty amazing.

I’m not committing myself as of now, just admiring 🤤
 
Those are all only hypothetical examples, for illustrative purposes.

So I reached out to a dealer to see if they'd be willing to put a deposit down on a number of these, and they will willing to grab ten. However, at this time, I just can't justify firing up a run of ten of these at a dealer discount. So for now this design is a cake in the cosmos idea, to be shelved until I am ready to set up a larger run where I can spread overhead costs over a larger number of blades that I can keep prices lower on for everyone, while still covering everything and keeping the cat fed.
 
David Mary said:
Those are all only hypothetical examples, for illustrative purposes.

So I reached out to a dealer to see if they'd be willing to put a deposit down on a number of these, and they will willing to grab ten. However, at this time, I just can't justify firing up a run of ten of these at a dealer discount. So for now this design is a cake in the cosmos idea, to be shelved until I am ready to set up a larger run where I can spread overhead costs over a larger number of blades that I can keep prices lower on for everyone, while still covering everything and keeping the cat fed.
Click to expand...
That’s unfortunate. Maybe we can find more interest around the forum.
 
DEFINITELY charge way more for handle materials.... My one dagger has similar guard and I can't use standard scale purchases. It has to be out of sheet stock, if you are wanting a mono-scale handle. Which is great for strength.
Unfortunately, that limits scale options, and can add considerably to costs, possibly buying too much handle materials, that you might hang onto for awhile.

Each handle is basically a half sheet
 
Crag the Brewer said:
DEFINITELY charge way more for handle materials.... My one dagger has similar guard and I can't use standard scale purchases. It has to be out of sheet stock, if you are wanting a mono-scale handle. Which is great for strength.
Unfortunately, that limits scale options, and can add considerably to costs, possibly buying too much handle materials, that you might hang onto for awhile.

Each handle is basically a half sheet
Click to expand...
Not to hijack the thread for education purposes, but what is a mono-scale and why would you think to do that with this type of blade?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top