Tell me what you think... Sharpwerks survival knife/kit

David Sharp

David Sharp

Joined
May 23, 2008
Messages
954
This is a prototype for a skeleton handle knife with onboard survival kit. Having grown up in the Rambo/hollow handle era I was always dubious about the strength of those types of knives and thought that there must be a better way. I have seen the knives with the removable scales but those need a tool to get to the contents. so this is what I came up with. I must give recognition to Jonathan McNees survival necker for spurring me on.


rsz_rp_ds_survival-1.jpg


rsz_rp_ds_survival-2.jpg



The knife is A2 ( at 59 HRC) with the tempered finish in tact. Includes:

sheath
7' of 550 cord
ferro rod
mag rod
2 arrowhead/gig
whistle
LED light
compass
and one of my Prybuddys
 
Can I make a comment?

The arrow heads / gig heads would be better if they were double barbed. Right now they look like they would throw off the balance of an arrow and not be as effective for a gig.

I also don't think that adding the shrink tubing to the end of the paracord adds anything - simply burn the ends.

I am not a fan of skelotonized knives - just from a comfort point of view - but I think adding things to the center of it like you have and wrapping, or even double wrapping it - has the potential to be more comfortable.

What is the length of the knife and total overall length?

With all of that said - I think the execution is nice and it looks very well done. Good work.

TF
 
I think it looks great and like the kit idea. The only thing I'd possibly change it to make the butt end more rounded. The top point looks like it could dig into your hand. But otherwise, sweet setup!
 
Like the concept...agree with Tal and look forward to more detail. One other recommendation that might give you a few more Potential sales to the woodsman - think about rounding the pommel area, it would help consolidate the overall length, and give it more versatility in that it makes it friendly to palm strikes on the pommel when used to make pencil/pencil lead sized kindling in driving the tip. Nice work!
 
I agree with what the others are saying about making it more rounded. It seems that point would dig into your palm if you had such a grip on it.
 
I was nervous about posting; pictures are not as good as in hand. I forgot some details:

The knife is 8.5" oal
I was aiming for a 4" blade this one is just shy
.25" stock with top and bottom rounded for comfort (I also hate skeleton handle knives. using the .25" stock, accessories and cord wrap make it very comfortable.)
The grind is a 36" hollow grind (close to flat but with the thick stock gives a bit thinner edge instead of coping with a chisel)

The lop sided arrowhead/gigs should not cause a balance problem in a stabbing thrusting scenario. Even in a survival bow/arrow scenario the minute amount of weight I would think would be less concern than getting a bow to draw draw evenly and an arrow to release and fly correctly (speaking form a bit of archery experience). I also had to weigh useable vs. ridiculous vs. size constraint. A double sided tip becomes so small as to be useless and the shank becomes a liability (not enough meat)

Point take on the butt/pommel most of my knives have a similar butt (sets me apart) I will reconsider.

Please keep the comments coming!
 
I like the concept and where the design is going. How about 2 very thin slabs under the cord wrap? I'm thinking 0.08'', as to what these slabs will be used for I thought they could be double sided sharpening stones and or a mirror. Something like these:
diamond_hone.jpg

tops-survival-dog-tag-signal-mirror-3764-p.jpg
 
RoyalM said:
I like the concept and where the design is going. How about 2 very thin slabs under the cord wrap? I'm thinking 0.08'', as to what these slabs will be used for I thought they could be double sided sharpening stones and or a mirror. Something like these:
diamond_hone.jpg

tops-survival-dog-tag-signal-mirror-3764-p.jpg
Click to expand...

That's exactly why I posted here! Thanks!

I lurk over here in the Outdoor forums a and it seems that there is a very good balance of people and experience as compared to other outdoor and survival forums. Because of the job, health, and knifemaking I don't get to get get out as much as I once did so I live vicariously through you guys. Still think a lot about the equipment and so this knife was born.
 
Thanks David, you might find that by putting a rounded pommel on a frame like you have here, it would still set you apart ;).
 
Another thing I was thinking was you could add some jimping or notch or an area to strike the ferro rod. Either on the spine or on the butt between the 2 holes would work well.

If you do go for the butt area for striking there'll be a balance between the sharpness of the jimping/notch and the user's comfort but I'm sure you'll be able to sort that easily.
 
I forgot to add that I love that you chose A2. O1 and A2 are my favorite steels, definitely a winner :thumbup:
 
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