What are you looking for in a one off knife?

jgcustoms

jgcustoms

Joined
Jul 14, 2008
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106
What kind of blade design and handle wood is everyone looking for in a custom knife? I'm a little new and would like to hear what everyone likes so I may further better my knifes. ALL AND ANY INPUT IS APPRECIATED!
 
Unfortunatly everyone is looking for somtthing different. I think the best thing you can do is go to a library and get some books on knives and there functions. Learn what shapes are for what tasks and design knives that you like and hope people appreciate your work.

I personaly like hunter style blades and as far as wood goes " if its 5x more expensive than the wood next to it it will probebly make a good handle". I like working Bocote' , bloodwood, purple heart, ironwood, and walnut.
 
I'v become fond of the burls and iron woods myself. Whats your take on these new blades?
 

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I like the top one the most. I guess the question I have is why that shape. I make a shape to fit a purpose (except when I do a bowie). That purpose can be a fantasy knife or a hunter whatever you want. That the beauty of making your own. That purpose will also influence the handle, guard, and how the knife is assembled. Your shapes are unique and I like to see different shapes like that but most people are buying a story or purpose. Why that shape, what to use it for. Your statement "A New Design for a Different State of Mind" comes through with your knives.

You may want to post your blades in the custom knife forum, they do more reviews and discussion there and you will probably get more users than knifemakers to comment.

Please dont think I am being critical, I do like your Different State of Mind.
 
The top is just a large trailing point, the second is a heavy hunters knife and the third is a camp brush knife. I'm trying to make more of a practical design yet at the same time i'm not gonna make blades that have been made before. The second one i was thinking of incorporating a gut hook but thats up in the air at the moment. Thank you for the input and I hope to get more soon.
 
I like curves that still retain a simple usable knife. I dont care that much for specialised patterns such as a long thin meat carving knife. I'd rather have a nice tall chefs knife that will ACT like a carver so I get more usable features in 1 knife.
 
I think it is best to make what you enjoy making.
It usualy shows when someone does what he does because he realy likes it.
You can see the difference between things (knifes, paintings, anything) that are made from the hart and that are made 'because they sell'
 
None of the designs shown will make a good skinning and working knife for a hunter. You need a dropped point, approaching a small spear head shape. Look up the "ripper" blades that are made by Russell. There is no better shape for working critters. Trailing points are near useless for a hunter that will do his own work. A dropped point turned up, will open an animal like a zipper, and will aid in not cutting the gut, or anything else one does not want cut. I have about come to the conclusion that many knifemakers, who make hunting knives, do not hunt, or they do not work their kills themselves, or they would not make some of the weird hunting knives I see. If in doubt, ask a wild game processor. Other than that, shapes, and tastes vary widely.
 
I looked for the "ripper" blades by Russell but had no luck! Could you narrow the search for me. I am planning to make a hunting knife for a relative that guides for elk and other big game in Wy. and would like the info for the project as I am no hunter!

Thanks
 
LRB said:
None of the designs shown will make a good skinning and working knife for a hunter. You need a dropped point, approaching a small spear head shape. Look up the "ripper" blades that are made by Russell. There is no better shape for working critters. Trailing points are near useless for a hunter that will do his own work. A dropped point turned up, will open an animal like a zipper, and will aid in not cutting the gut, or anything else one does not want cut. I have about come to the conclusion that many knifemakers, who make hunting knives, do not hunt, or they do not work their kills themselves, or they would not make some of the weird hunting knives I see. If in doubt, ask a wild game processor. Other than that, shapes, and tastes vary widely.
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LRB I would have to disagree with you here. While growing up and as a young adult I can not tell you how many animals I have cleaned with knives other than a drop point. For the longest time I did not think you should use anything other than a bowie. My collection shows it to. My point being is that I could clean any deer as fast or faster than most other people with my bowie.
 
Hengelo said-
I think it is best to make what you enjoy making.

The best advice you're ever going to get JG!!!!!

When it starts becoming a job, or when you're forced or talked into making something you don't feel comfortable with, all the joy goes away and it will show up in the end product!
It will also have a negative effect on you!
 
L6steel said:
Hengelo said-
I think it is best to make what you enjoy making.
Click to expand...

Always stick to this...............this shouldnt ever cause you to waver. In time you may WANT to make what you didnt set out to make. Let yourself evolve.
 
WadeH said:
LRB I would have to disagree with you here. While growing up and as a young adult I can not tell you how many animals I have cleaned with knives other than a drop point. For the longest time I did not think you should use anything other than a bowie. My collection shows it to. My point being is that I could clean any deer as fast or faster than most other people with my bowie.
Click to expand...

We can agree to disagree. I suppose one could use an axe to dress animals with great skill, if one did it often enough, but the ripper design is very user friendly. Especially if a beginner.
 
Thank all of you for the advise. I truly appreciate the input. Im just gonna make what appeals to me and go with the flow. I do this on the side and i do enjoy it allot. I think i'v established my style and like it or not these knifes are who i am. I feel more motivated to make the knife im gonna build for the JD build off. Thank you again for the input for I felt like I was just making all the wrong knifes.-josh
 
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