Your favorite sub 4 inch fixed blade utility knife?????

Marion David Poff

Marion David Poff

Joined
Oct 8, 1998
Messages
5,403
Good Day,

I am trying to decide on a design for a custom knife, but I am having trouble, I can't decide.

So, if you could help me I would be totally appreciative.

I am looking for a good design elements for a narrow sub 4 inch utility knife. I want it to have some sort of guard like shapes, be very comfortable to hold and use, etcetera.

If you have images or links to images that would really help.

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Thank you,
Marion David Poff aka Eye, Cd'A ID, USA mdpoff@hotmail.com

>>--->Bill Siegle Custom Knives<---<<
-http://www.geocities.com/siegleknives-

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Good Day MDP!
View

This is my Small Tac/Utility model. It's based on my Small Hunter patern. Specs: 1/8" D2, 3.5" blade with a tapered and drilled tang, blue G10 with blue/white spacers. I also offer this in a skeletonized version with 3 large holes through the handle.
This model has the "deep tight" hollow grinds with the false edge. Either blade grind can be done, I'm now carrying a skeletonized Hunter!!
I have two of these in Stellite in process now.
Neil


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Talonite....Stellite...


blackwoodknives.com
 
MDP,
Considering narrow sub 4 inch utility knife I would like to propose you to take a look at Scandinavian knives - designs proven by centuries. Simple but useful blade shape and grind, big and comfortable wooden handle, simple but genius sheath/carry "system" - all this are worth to be considered.
Concerning some sort of guard: IMHO it is not very useful feature for relatively short UTILITY knife.
This is only my .02 $
Regards,
MIKLE
 
MDP get ahold of Bill Siegle and inquire about the knife I designed that he made for me. It's called whatelse" "thebladerunr". It's small enough (sub 4 inch) to be a neck knife or a belt knife. Dave
biggrin.gif
 
I am looking for a good design elements for a narrow sub 4 inch utility knife.
Click to expand...
What about a classic, like the Loveless Dropped Hunter?
I want it to have some sort of guard like shapes, be very comfortable to hold and use, etcetera.
Click to expand...
Not much in the way of guards, but the shape of the Fällkniven WM1 and EKA W11 narrows towards the rear, and makes the guard itself less important.
The narrowing of the handle was also an important feature of the one I designed myself which also is on my site. If I'd design it today, it'd be closer to a mix of the WM1 and W11.



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Urban Fredriksson www.canit.se/%7Egriffon/
Latest updates:
Fällkniven K2, EKA Nordic W11, Schrade Lake & Walker

"I've always been fascinated by Scandinavian knives [...] they're simple, in an advanced way". - Bob Loveless
 
MDP... Imagine this....

A Buck "Ranger" style blade turned into a full tang fixed blade ... G-10 handle scales on a 5/32" thick VG-10 or BG42 blade. Excuse me I need a cigarette now.
 
Try Randall Fire Fighters Special... It's in their online catalog. A little over 3"blade, border patrol handle, single brass hilt, Thick blade, I've got one, might be willing to part with it...

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Mark, Isiah 40:31 They that wait on the LORD shall mount up with wings as eagles...
 
If you have not tried it, I would strongly recommend one of the profiles not usually associated with utility work such as a Hawkbill :

http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/images/blackwood_hawk.jpg

That is by Neil Blackwood, it has a 2.5" blade length. The handle offers exceptional retention and comfort, and knocks the Phil Wilson light utility hunter handle out of the top spot that it has held since I got it a couple of years ago.

The handle is also shaped in the thickness dimension to increase comfort and security :

http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/images/blackwood_hawk_pw_ms.jpg

Here it is along side the Phil Wilson and Mel Sorg custom.

The only real grip problem is that when using it as a draw knife, with the edge facing away from your fingers, the bottom of the blade and the dropped end of the handle both dig into my palm. This however is unavoidable as your hand thickens towards the wrist and if it was comfortable like this, it would be far too loose in a normal grip.

One of the interesting aspects, is that the G10 finish is not overly effected by scratches. I intended to work on it with some light abrasives to rough up the finish a little but got curious and took 220 grit SiC sandpaper to it. The scratches produced are deep but are only visible if you look close up. At about 1' away, you have to be really looking for them and have a decent light source.


Anyway, the reason I mentioned such shapes, the Wharncliffe is another, is that because of the point presentation various cutting chores are made much easier with less wear on the blade.

For a more traditional shape, I like the blade shape on this :

http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/images/phil-wilson-10v.jpg

Stock is 1/8", blade has a full distal taper, ground to 0.01" behind the bevel which is at about 10-15 degrees. Very comfortable handle but does not have the security on a strong pull that the Hawkbill shown above does.

-Cliff
 
I agree with Mikle. The Norwegians, Swedes, and Finns own this kind of knife, IMHO. There are dozens of models made in these countries that would suit. My personal favorite, at the moment, is Roselli's "Carpenter's" pattern. It feels good in the hand and it cuts up a storm. The new "extra hard" model looks interesting, too, especially for those of us who want the ultimate in cutting power and who aren't too concerned about blade toughness.
 
Eye,
Dozier makes a nice one called the Companion that has a short guard of sorts, other then that I'd opt for one of Mike Iries Sport knives, nice knives with Stag handles...

companion.jpg


s400.jpg


Mike's newer stuff has more of a guard on it, but I think those have a blade of about 4" where these range under the 4" mark...

G2

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"The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions!"
Take the time to read your Bible Now, don't be left behind...

G2 LeatherWorks
 
I just got a Spyderco FB02 Moran Drop Point Hunter. It has a blade that is just 4" long and I think that it is a wonderful little knife. Now I am a Bowie lover, so this is the smallest fixed blade knife that I have owned since I was a kid. I can see many, many uses for it and like its features very, very much.

Thank you, NCBlades.

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Walk in the Light,
Hugh Fuller
 
Any of Bob Doziers with the single finger groove and dropped pommel design will do. The Agent model especially, which is my favorite can serve as a fighter if need. Request for a rough blast finish or an aftermarket checkering is definitely called for. While a nicely finished smooth surface is pretty to look at, it is quite useless for a real using knife IME. I would also like to have a slightly deeper finger groove and a more ample integral guard for thrusting purposes.
www.dozierknives.com

L8r,
Nakano
 
Nakano- I really like the looks of the Agent.

Have you had it checkered? By Julie Marx?

What do you think of Doziers Kydex work?

MDP
 
Can't go wrong w/ a Dozier. Ever.
Absolutely 1st rate Kydex.

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"Never give a sword to a man who can't dance" (Celtic Proverb)
AKTI# A000107
 
Bob Dozier Reverse Tanto, Personal, White River Skinner, Agent, Body Guard. Any of these are absolutely fantastic for the any price. Bob'd kydex crossdraw sheath is one of the best made. My favorite. It is thin, crafted perfect, and secure.
 
May I ask? Did I make a social faux pas when I posted to this thread talking about a Spydie Moran? I am well aware that it is not a custom made knife, nor is it quite as delicate as those being described, but to be snubbed as completely as it appears that I was leaves me in some puzzlement, as saw no mention on MDP's part that this thread was restricted to custom designs only, I read that he was looking for ideas for HIS custom design.

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Walk in the Light,
Hugh Fuller
 
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