- Joined
- Apr 22, 2011
- Messages
- 460
I started this thread on my knifemaker's sub forum but so many people have requested I do another WIP thread I decided to move the discussion here so everyone could see my process, comment, critique, and ask questions.
New concept the "Leviathan"
Here are the parameters/design goals for this design:
7" Large hunter/fighter sized blade with full tang
Open to different blade geometries
Use .21" surface ground CPM-3V steel (A perfect middle ground thickness between a fast in the hand 3/16" fighter and a 1/4" survival/chopper)
Incorporate a "harpoon" blade design element
Incorporate a sub-hilt handle design element
Use custom CNC routed handels
Provide a custom etched Leather/Kydex hybrid sheath with Tec-Loc attachment system
So with these ideas in mind I quickly drew out the rough idea in CAD. I started with the classic blade to handle ratio of a great old standby design, the KA-BAR Mark 2. It's a reliable place to start.
My first concept hits all the design criteria above but frankly looks but ugly and uncomfortable. I try to play with an idea of combining two blade forms I have come to love the harpoon false edge and a Wharncliffe blade geometry. Ya it"s a bit unorthodox but I thought that a little experimentation I could refine the look...
Next step is to work in sets of "iterative concepts" making incremental changes to the form. I find the best way for me to see how I feel about a design is to actually hold it. Thats where laser cut technology come to the rescue. I can draw out designs and have a laser cut blanks from foam core to test the ergonomic value and aesthetic appeal of each design.
[video=youtube;HRMso734fA8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRMso734fA8[/video]
As you can see from the photos. I cut out a design, modify that, test it, make changes, cut a new design, and then compare the two. In 3 hrs I can test more than a dozen designs on a $2 sheet of foam core. Try that with steel or hand cutting cardboard. In my testing I found a 5 degree tilt to the handle to be superior for cutting tasks and swinging tasks. It just felt....right. Here I also settled on chain bolts to fasten the CNC handles.
The pictures are in chronological order from the first concept to last
I finally chose two blade shapes that felt great in the hand and also fulfilled the original design criteria. These two designs will be offered as "Leviathan's".
The Harpoon Wharncliffe will feature a sharpened top edge more suitable for offensive/defensive cutting tasks.
The Harpoon Drop Point will feature a false top edge to aid in outdoor/survival knife duties.
Two knives. Two personalities. One soul.
The $20 bill is for scale and will not be included in ANY purchase.
New concept the "Leviathan"
Here are the parameters/design goals for this design:
7" Large hunter/fighter sized blade with full tang
Open to different blade geometries
Use .21" surface ground CPM-3V steel (A perfect middle ground thickness between a fast in the hand 3/16" fighter and a 1/4" survival/chopper)
Incorporate a "harpoon" blade design element
Incorporate a sub-hilt handle design element
Use custom CNC routed handels
Provide a custom etched Leather/Kydex hybrid sheath with Tec-Loc attachment system
So with these ideas in mind I quickly drew out the rough idea in CAD. I started with the classic blade to handle ratio of a great old standby design, the KA-BAR Mark 2. It's a reliable place to start.
My first concept hits all the design criteria above but frankly looks but ugly and uncomfortable. I try to play with an idea of combining two blade forms I have come to love the harpoon false edge and a Wharncliffe blade geometry. Ya it"s a bit unorthodox but I thought that a little experimentation I could refine the look...
Next step is to work in sets of "iterative concepts" making incremental changes to the form. I find the best way for me to see how I feel about a design is to actually hold it. Thats where laser cut technology come to the rescue. I can draw out designs and have a laser cut blanks from foam core to test the ergonomic value and aesthetic appeal of each design.
[video=youtube;HRMso734fA8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRMso734fA8[/video]
As you can see from the photos. I cut out a design, modify that, test it, make changes, cut a new design, and then compare the two. In 3 hrs I can test more than a dozen designs on a $2 sheet of foam core. Try that with steel or hand cutting cardboard. In my testing I found a 5 degree tilt to the handle to be superior for cutting tasks and swinging tasks. It just felt....right. Here I also settled on chain bolts to fasten the CNC handles.
The pictures are in chronological order from the first concept to last
I finally chose two blade shapes that felt great in the hand and also fulfilled the original design criteria. These two designs will be offered as "Leviathan's".
The Harpoon Wharncliffe will feature a sharpened top edge more suitable for offensive/defensive cutting tasks.
The Harpoon Drop Point will feature a false top edge to aid in outdoor/survival knife duties.
Two knives. Two personalities. One soul.
The $20 bill is for scale and will not be included in ANY purchase.
