The S.U.B. System

[Sam Wilson]

Hey guys, as the thread title implies, I just finished up a prototype I have been working on. Nothing revolutionary here, but wanted to post this for others to see. I have been mainly making the hollow handle knives, and I have been wanting to do a full tang outdoors knife for a while. So here it is.

The S.U.B. System-Survival Utility Bushcraft. The idea was to have a comfortable, drop point knife with contoured handle, and a little bit of curve to put the cutting edge forward and increase leverage. It is 1095 steel, full flat grind, @ 59 HRC. Blade is 4 3/4" long, with an overall length of 9 1/4". Made out of 3/16" stock. Personally, I think being able to field-sharpen your knife is extremely important, if you're ever out there and something goes wrong, or you just use your knife quite a bit, a dull knife becomes dangerous/useless pretty quick. But I don't care much for pouches on the front of the sheath (hence the birth of the M.O.A. System, with its magnetized compartments in the sheath.)

So for this one, I put a pouch behind the belt loop, where it is out of the way, yet still serviceable. The belt loop can be opened up for easier access, and is held in place by a Pull-the-Dot snap (which can only be opened by pulling in one direction), for security. This is similar to a design done by Vaughn Neeley and Timberline Knives years ago, where they put a small channel behind the belt loop for a ferrocerium rod. This takes the concept further, and puts my spin on it.

I will be offering it with and without the pouch. When ordered with the pouch, it comes with a diamond sharpening stone (the red "Medium" grit), and a ferro rod that fits in the pouch. I will most likely offer micarta as the base handle material, and stabilized wood as an upgrade. Here are some pics for reference:

I welcome any feedback, and thanks for looking.

Sam Wilson :thumbup:

 

[Sam Wilson]

Some more pics:

Sam

 

[neeman]

A lovely looking knife
Looks very comfortable
I like a full flap sheath like that
Price point?

Why a red medium, not a green fine grit?

 

[Sam Wilson]

Thank you, neeman. The price is $225 with micarta handles, for stabilized wood add $50. The pouch with sharpener/ferro rod adds $75.

I use the red medium stone as my standard offering, because it's aggressive enough to work out chips and dings, and bring an edge back from being totally dull pretty quickly. It is also fine enough to put a toothy shaving edge on there, which works well on wood and other fibrous materials. But I have had customers request a different stone, and I do that as well.

 

[Danketch]

Looks great, innovative idea putting the sharpener on the other side, but I know I would not care for it, because it looks like you will have to take the sheath off to get to the sharpener and or/firesteel. Too much work when you can just put the pouch on the other side. IMHO. Awesome work though.

 

[Sam Wilson]

Looks great, innovative idea putting the sharpener on the other side, but I know I would not care for it, because it looks like you will have to take the sheath off to get to the sharpener and or/firesteel. Too much work when you can just put the pouch on the other side. IMHO. Awesome work though.

Dan, I agree with you. It's not going to be for everyone, but I like doing things a little differently now and then, as it at least gives people the option if they so desire. I look at this the same way I do the "survival kit" in a hollow handle knife: It is not supposed to be the primary kit, it is designed to be out of the way, so you will forget about it until you need it. And if all else fails, you will have a last-ditch bit of kit if all you have left is your knife and sheath. Or something like that .

And you are correct, the sheath has to be removed to access the stone and ferro rod. I thank you for the compliment, and the feedback.

Sam :thumbup:

 

[cricketdave]

I like it Sam, in particular the sculpting of the scales looks very balanced and comfortable. The sheath is like your others innovative and well thought out. Your really turning out some fine work.

 

[Danketch]

On the other side of the same token Sam, if you kept the inside pouch, and added another pouch on the outside, I know I would feel it- that way you would have easy accessibility on the one side, and maybe money/valuables storage on the other side. Either way, keep up the creating. Good inspiration for us amateurs.

 

[Sam Wilson]

I like it Sam, in particular the sculpting of the scales looks very balanced and comfortable. The sheath is like your others innovative and well thought out. Your really turning out some fine work.

Thank you, dave. I have found that if you put a comfortable knife in someone's hands, even if it isn't the latest "super steel," or their favorite manufacturer, you have a hard time getting it away from them, lol. Part of the plan. I appreciate the compliments, too. :thumbup: This was a prototype, so I have a few small finish issues to tweak, but I really like using these Corby bolts. I cannot recommend them enough.

On the other side of the same token Sam, if you kept the inside pouch, and added another pouch on the outside, I know I would feel it- that way you would have easy accessibility on the one side, and maybe money/valuables storage on the other side. Either way, keep up the creating. Good inspiration for us amateurs.

That's a good point, Dan. I think that's a good idea, could definitely make the pouch on front a little larger for better storage, as long as it's kept in proportion. I will probably wait until someone orders that specifically, though, as that would be a little extra work without a buyer lined up. Who knows, though, crazy things happen in the shop after a couple beers Thank you for your compliments, and you better be including me in that list of amateurs, I've got a long way to go! :thumbup:

Thank you,

Sam