The "Ask Nathan a question" thread

[fonedork]

Nathan the Machinist , you might have overlooked my earlier post.

I've looked, but don't see it mentioned anywhere, and have been looking at as many pics as I could find without a good answer.

Is the engraving/maker's mark on the #badidea FK2 thinner/shallower on all of them, or does it just happen to be that way on my particular example?

#badidea on top, regular on the bottom:
View attachment 1356728

All 6 of my other CPK's are most like the bottom one shown, with heavier engraving. TIA!

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/the-ask-nathan-a-question-thread.1425245/page-179#post-19581382

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

Nathan the Machinist , you might have overlooked my earlier post.

I've looked, but don't see it mentioned anywhere, and have been looking at as many pics as I could find without a good answer.

Is the engraving/maker's mark on the #badidea FK2 thinner/shallower on all of them, or does it just happen to be that way on my particular example?

#badidea on top, regular on the bottom:
View attachment 1356728

All 6 of my other CPK's are most like the bottom one shown, with heavier engraving. TIA!

There is some variation in the engraving depth due to tolerance stack up

 

[Keoneloa]

Hey Nathan, in one of your earlier posts you mentioned that red loctite is used on the scale screws on one side, and blue removable loctite is used on the other...what # is that blue?...the only blue I have is "420"....is that the one?
thanks!

 

[Keoneloa]

Disregard the above question...went to the googleoracle....thank you anyway Mr. C

 

[Forester_01]

Nathan, approximately when will you return to producing the hdfk pattern? Do you have it scheduled for after the DEK1?

 

[SwarthyGnome]

Do you have a set pattern of the CPK folding knife yet? Willing to post a pic?
Thank you.

 

[stjones]

Nathan the Machinist
Will you consider doing a run of FK 1 scales with the same texturing as the FK 2? Perhaps a preorder?

 

[SpyderPhreak]

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/the-ask-nathan-a-question-thread.1425245/page-179#post-19581382

Dang it! I tried searching for info like this before posting the question. Seemed like the depth was more than 0.003".

There is some variation in the engraving depth due to tolerance stack up

Saw the detailed reply in the FK2 thread. Thank you!

 

[gunslinger387]

Nathan,

what about the K18 is so difficult? Is it the overall length, width of the blade or something entirely different?

since this is such a pain is the K18 going to be a retired pattern after this run?

 

[Casinostocks]

Nathan,

what about the K18 is so difficult? Is it the overall length, width of the blade or something entirely different?

since this is such a pain is the K18 going to be a retired pattern after this run?

#stillnotnathan so I often avoid answering for him but in this case I must!

The K18 will be produced and tuned to the most efficient cutting machine ever so that even the lousiest among us do not end up doing this:

(stolen from another member over at W&C )

 

[gunslinger387]

^LMAO

never saw that before

 

[patrickguignot]

Nathan what are your thoughts about 14C28N as an alternative to AEB-L ?
According to the tests done by Larrin it's more wear resistant and more stain resistant with same toughness than AEB-L.

 

[gunslinger387]

Nathan,
How do you design and test your grips? They are all good but they seems to get better each time. The DEK1 seems to mold to my hand. I have medium to large hands. A buddy, who originally introduced me to your knives took a look at mine. He has thick fingers and says it’s your best grip yet. I agree.

Is there a program you use, lots of experience, lots of volunteers, or all of the above?

Or is it the unicorn blood?

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

Nathan, approximately when will you return to producing the hdfk pattern? Do you have it scheduled for after the DEK1?

I'm not sure when we will revisit the HDFK. It's a great pattern, I'm sure we will, but it may be a while.

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

Do you have a set pattern of the CPK folding knife yet? Willing to post a pic?
Thank you.

Yes, a folding Field Knife

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

Nathan the Machinist
Will you consider doing a run of FK 1 scales with the same texturing as the FK 2? Perhaps a preorder?

I think we already did a special run on FK1 scales. I don't think we will be able to fit that into our schedule any time soon.

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

Nathan,

what about the K18 is so difficult? Is it the overall length, width of the blade or something entirely different?

since this is such a pain is the K18 going to be a retired pattern after this run?

I don't envision ever running it again after this run

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

Nathan what are your thoughts about 14C28N as an alternative to AEB-L ?
According to the tests done by Larrin it's more wear resistant and more stain resistant with same toughness than AEB-L.

There are lots of great materials out there.

One has to be cautious when looking at charts to understand what information those charts can and can not really convey.

Toughness and wear resistance do not always equal edge retention and durability in real use. Or we'd all still be using S30V.

I select materials for optimization for different reasons. AEBL has fantastic edge stability for a stainless (or anything actually). AEBL combines crisp edge retention with ease of sharpening and stain resistance not bettered by anything out there.

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

Nathan,
How do you design and test your grips? They are all good but they seems to get better each time. The DEK1 seems to mold to my hand. I have medium to large hands. A buddy, who originally introduced me to your knives took a look at mine. He has thick fingers and says it’s your best grip yet. I agree.

Is there a program you use, lots of experience, lots of volunteers, or all of the above?

Or is it the unicorn blood?

All of the above

The CAD program I use is Pro/ENGINEER with ISDX. I have many years experience as a professional plastic product design engineer working in product design and optimization. Prototyping and complex modeling is in my blood. I'm not a typical machinist or knifemaker in this regard.

In the case of the DEK1, Lorien made several models and mockups before we settled on a design to be optimized, then we went through an extensive iterative process here. It is an evolution. We don't just run with the first thing that feels good, we dial it in.

 

[fkctrjt121]

I don't envision ever running it again after this run

Do you think the K18's will hit friday sales?
Thank you