T-Handled Utility Knife Idea

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PeaceInOurTime

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Mar 20, 2019
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I made a concept knife and I'm curious what people think. I'm not a knife maker or designer, but I've had this idea for for a long time and finally decided to make a quick unit out of PVC.

The pictures below show my idea of a T-handled 2" double sided fixed blade. One side has a very pronounced upswept blade, the other a hawkbill.

T-handled knives have generally been thought of as weapons. Looking at the current options available, they're nearly all double edged spear point and don't seem to be designed for utility. I see the T-handle as a secure, minimalist handle that helps keep the overall size of the knife down and has potential to be good for a small utility knife. I'm curious if others may find a small T-handled utility knife as a useful tool.

I have two design ideas: the one pictured below and another that I may post later that's more of a single piece multitool/pry tool with a cutting edge. I'm actually a bit more interested in the latter, but I figured knife people would be more interested in this one.

I just threw this together out of drainage-grade PVC pipe just for the concept. I think I need to cut the handle a bit more narrow, but otherwise it's a good first draft. Also, you may be able to see that the tip of the upswept side was supposed to be a thicker, more pronounced scraper/pry area, but I ground it a bit too thin.


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If it's double edged it's a dagger and illegal to carry where I live.
As a utility knife I have doubts about the leverage generated with a T handle as opposed to a straight one (I have a Cold Steel Terminator so I have some idea of what both are like). I also wonder about grip fatigue.
Then again it depends on what you are cutting and for how long.
 
The T shape would help if you needed to repetitively punch in deep and then pull through a lot of resistance, without worrying about precision - but for what tasks would that be advantageous?

Put another way, what are the intended benefits of this design as compared to say a linoleum knife?
 
I applaud the creative notion but there is nothing about that that looks attractive as a utility blade for me.

T-handles are okay for piercing and maybe ripping but that's about it.

The blade shape is less than ideal on either side. The bellied side is just too steep to be useful and that leaves the hawkbill which is limited in usefulness.

It would be a PITA to sharpen, double-edged makes it illegal in many places and the sheath would be, well unique at the least.

Again, not raining on your creative ambition and thank you for sharing. That takes courage. This iteration would just not be for me but I hope you continue to ponder and explore!
 
Thanks for the input

The intended purpose is just as a small utility knife. Not intended to be a linoleum knife or even for extended use, more for general cutting. A few years ago I discovered the CRKT Minimalist and it changed how felt about tiny fixed blades as I used it while working. A tiny fixed blade with a secure grip sounds appealing to me.

Comfort in hand is a concern, though shouldn't be an issue for the intended purpose. I'm hoping someone who has experience with T-handled knives will also chime in and give their opinion.
 
I made a pair of push daggers a while ago.
The control and leverage for general cutting is poor. They look cool and everyone should own one, but you aren't going to pick it up to cut anything.
 
Thanks for sharing. I have some experience carrying (for defense) and using push daggers (not on people lol), and I have to say they work well as package openers and box cutters (though they tend to be too thick for good sharpness) but they arent very comfortable for long. Also, theyre illegal in a lot of places and itd be hard to explain to a cop that your scary looking knife is a box cutter.
I think it might work better as a standard handle, but angled. Like a kabar tdi kind of. Good luck!:thumbsup:
 
I've made several push knives over the years.

They are not the best choice for general utility work.

I'd still suggest trying to make one if it's something that interests you though.

The part that fits between your fingers needs to be slim or it will be very uncomfortable.
 
Well, I'm almost heartbroken now. :)

I was thinking of refining this design and having someone make it, but I don't want to waste money on a concept doomed from the start. I may try to modify an existing push dagger into something similar to this design and try it out.

Thank you all for your input, so far!

CVamberbonehead said:
I think it might work better as a standard handle, but angled. Like a kabar tdi kind of. Good luck!:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

This has crossed my mind before, but I've really bought into the idea that a T-handle would be ideal for a smaller knife like this.


Danke42 said:
Fred Perrin has this niche really well sewn up with his La Griffe.
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Love Perrin's designs! Though, I'm a little concerned about knives with finger rings from a fitting standpoint and safety (unexpected finger amputation).
 
What's really nice about a t-handle is the forward pressure you can achieve with a pushing motion, as well as being able to somewhat comfortably use your hand for other tasks without putting the knife down. So this type of knife may appeal to a very specific type of person with specific tasks in mind.

I've made and sold Ulus for a little while now, including one I still EDC every day, and most have been happy with it as a somewhat unique pocket fixed blade that is more than tough enough for some hard use. However, because the grip and blade alignment is unusual, coupled with the fact that it is easier to make minor adjustments to grip with a standard handle than a t-handle held in a fist, many will not feel that they can use such a blade as effectively. I think this goes doubly for push daggers and other point-first t-handled knives in a general sense.

That said, I do think there is some merit to your design with a hawkbill profile, such that the user could hook cordage or otherwise "catch" material in the curve of the blade in order to cut it. I think you could get some decent use out of a blade like that, held in that way. I would consider making the hawkbill curve somewhat more pronounced.
 
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Man with no name said:
Cold Steel Urban Pal Knife - Demonstration & Review - YouTube
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I don't know how I forgot about Cold Steel's videos. :)Thanks for sharing. That video pretty well demonstrates the normal cutting my design would be used for (apart from the meat assault). I'm not needing a design capable of stabbing like a normal push dagger.


The_Iron_Joe said:
...That said, I do think there is some merit to your design...
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Thanks for the encouragement. I'm not giving up yet. I'm actually a bit of a fan of hawkbills. Spyderco has several that have proven to be very useful for my everyday cutting tasks. The small Spyderco Ladybug in the last picture of my original post gets carried daily.

I'd love to see your Ulus. Do you show them on the forum?
 
nice effort and good work put into it.
but imo, it would take a gorilla to punch
through anything as the blade tip
is curved.
so at any one time the tip is effectlyly
either facing the ground or skywards
with a limited semi circular wrist rotation.
its okay for use with this fixed perimeters
just my 2 cents!
 
PeaceInOurTime said:
Thanks for the encouragement. I'm not giving up yet. I'm actually a bit of a fan of hawkbills. Spyderco has several that have proven to be very useful for my everyday cutting tasks. The small Spyderco Ladybug in the last picture of my original post gets carried daily.

I'd love to see your Ulus. Do you show them on the forum?
Click to expand...

For sure! I used to carry a slip joint with a hawkbill blade, might have to dig that one out again... Although I don't have any small fixed blades with that kind of blade shape, it would be neat to have one in such a small form factor.

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If you are convinced a tee handle has advantages. Make it in such a way that it takes the disposable Stanley style blades.

The only one I see it being an advantage on would be the hook blades because you are pulling.
 
:) This has more potential as a martial / SD knife than utility , IMO .

But as others have said , you can't punch very well with a curved knife .

All hawkbill blades / karambit types need special technique for thrusting . So not much commonplace appeal . :(

The design has possibilities , but not for mainstream use . ;)
 
GIRLYmann said:
nice effort and good work put into it.
but imo, it would take a gorilla to punch
through anything as the blade tip
is curved.
so at any one time the tip is effectlyly
either facing the ground or skywards
with a limited semi circular wrist rotation.
its okay for use with this fixed perimeters
just my 2 cents!
Click to expand...

Thanks! Yeah, I didn't have stabbing, thrusting, or self defense in mind, just normal cutting. I tried to make the front/tip more capable of scraping and light prying.


The_Iron_Joe said:
For sure! I used to carry a slip joint with a hawkbill blade, might have to dig that one out again... Although I don't have any small fixed blades with that kind of blade shape, it would be neat to have one in such a small form factor.

uSuHNTF.jpg


20AKLFn.jpg
Click to expand...

I like that! I can see it being useful. Thanks for sharing!
 
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