Where does a good knife design start?

[Fred.Rowe]

Where does the idea come from, for a new knife? Is it a picture you saw, something you saw on a table at a show. Did the idea come from an old classic or something remembered from childhood.
I, like many makers sees a picture in their mind of an idea for a knife. A certain blade shape, a handle shape that seems to match. Colors and textures that are pleasing. A visual geometry that flows; distal taper and a false edge that seems right.

After 16 years of making knives I don't do this anymore. I start @ the edge and build backwards. Actually, I start at the apex, the part of the knife that does the cutting. So in truth, you're starting with a zero and working towards the spine, towards the tip and towards the butt of the knife. Ever since I started doing this I build better knives. The knives I build today are far better at cutting than the knives I made 8 years ago. My knives are thinner, with better geometry. If you work backwards from the edge, you will buy thinner stock and because you are focused on how the knife cuts, your primary bevels will be more appropriate for the cutting edge you are working to produce. When you work in this manner, from the edge back, the blade and guard and handle will come almost as a byproduct of the edge. They will fit and compliment each other.

Try it next time you are looking for a knife idea; think about the cutting edge and how it should cut and then work backwards, see what you come up with.

Happy grinding, Fred

 

[J.Babody]

I'm always looking for new ways to come up with designs as sometimes I seem to get myself into a rut. I get bored making the same old stuff all the time, so I appreciate you giving me a new perspective. I typically try to start with a blade shape for a specific task, but I'm still green and learning so sometimes it just doesn't flow right and I have to start over. I find the bevel height still tends to make me question myself as I'm always wondering if it's optimized for what I'm intending on making. My blades perform well enough but I know it's not always the best it can be. Maybe after 16 years I'll have that figured out a bit better!

Thanks for the insight,
Justin

 

[fujita yuji]

Nice back cast strategy.
I think most of the tribe's knives are made in the way you described, along with their culture, way of life or religious faiths.
And I think that is why they are so attractive.

Most of my new design comes from what I'm now using, to make them work (or sometimes look) better.

 

[Hengelo_77]

Either think of the person I make a knife for and make a design and materials combo that would be the best for the use I want that person to get out of the knife

Of find certain handle material and think of a knife that would bring out the best of that material. I prefer natural materials and they are what they are, you can't order them larger/ different if you need that for you design.
So I think the other way around.
But then again not always, sometimes it goes the other way around.
Also hard to say where inspiration comes from. It just comes

 

[james terrio]

Absolutely at the edge, "where the rubber meets the road" so to speak. I completely agree that everything should follow the function(s) the knife is expected to perform, from handle material to hardness, and everything in between.

 

[ricky_arthur]

I method I guess Is backwards. Most often, I decide how big the knife will be, I mark 4 1/2 or 5 inches off for the handle (depending on knife size) Everything else is blade. The focus is the same, blade geometry, but I want to get in the required pieces so I know exactly what I'm working with. But when I'm feeling creative, I simply take a piece of steel and start removing stuff till the knife comes out. Those knifes are always better.

 

[rustyrazor]

maybe not backwards, but i always think of all the features i want in the knife for the intended purpose first and then start making them fit... this part includes the blade geometry, for example a bird and trout will have different requirements than one i'm making for an infantrymen who's going to beat the snot out of it for the next 15 years. Step two is to try and make it flow together as gracefully as i can. who knows if it's working... all personal taste i guess.

good thread Fred

 

[PEU]

I always start at the PC & Coreldraw. Previously I talk with the customer about what she/he needs, how s/he plans to use, how does he/she likes the grip, steel to be used, etc.


Pablo

 

[Fiddleback]

I usually draw a knife with a function in mind. That generally dictates the style point and guard I want. Once those decisions are made I put in the rest of the curves to make a knife.

Great thread Fred.