Knife Design.

[cubby]

lets play "design a knife".

then, lets play "why did you design the knife like that?".

then lets play, "would this work better on my design?".


i'll go first. i'm going to sketch something up in Paint. then we can critize it and tweak it. i am going to intentionally put in things *I* don't think should go into the knife.

the internet is full of "atta boys!". lets bring some realizism to the table, shall we.

be back in a few.

 

[cubby]

here is a general purpose camp knife. what do you think?

 

[tyler34]

take out a 1/4" of the edge bevel and the hole next to the spine then maybe I'd use it, if it were M4

 

[cornfused]

I don't like the tanto tip...

 

[rjstew317]

the Tanto styling would be more effective for a fighting knife (primarily for stabbing) and not as conducive to camp chores. edit: I'm not a fan of tanto blades. and you didn't mention what you might be using it for

 

[DarkRose]

I like the tanto tip, as it could be used as a "chisel" as well as a cutter. Not crazy about the hole, add some filework or serration on the spine for thumb grip...

 

[cubby]

here is how *I* think it should look. what do you think?

 

[Mini-14]

Handle looks small

 

[tradertator]

Much better grind and edge profile. I would like a more exposed pommel, and even more aggressive jimping on the back of the blade.

 

[tradertator]

Full flat grind would be pimpin pimpin.

 

[DaKruiser]

It's a big knife, I would think chopping would be one of it's chores. The bump on the back of the handle would have to go, I would round it off. I would like a little more jimping also.

 

[clt46910]

When I was a kid, my Uncle used a simple kitchen paring knife for most the skinning of small game. It worked, was easy to sharpen and cheap. Why not go back to simple?

Why look for Rambo knives for simple camp chores? If I want to cut wood, I would use a Tommy, not a knife.

I must be missing something that changed from the simple days of everyday use of knives for everyday chores.

 

[Que]

Put a hole on the front of the handle for a lanyard to prevent accidents.

 

[DaKruiser]

When I was a kid, my Uncle used a simple kitchen paring knife for most the skinning of small game. It worked, was easy to sharpen and cheap. Why not go back to simple?

Why look for Rambo knives for simple camp chores? If I want to cut wood, I would use a Tommy, not a knife.

I must be missing something that changed from the simple days of everyday use of knives for everyday chores.

I have found it is easier to carry my big knife than any of my hawks. That doesn't mean it is for you, just what I have found. Plus I can do things with my knife easier than with the short edge of a hawk!
I would want both if possible though!

 

[451_Detonics]

Your design is looking good (second sketch). How thick will the blade be? What steel? I slightly rounder tip might be worthwhile to help with skinning chores and a slightly larger handle might help prevent hand fatigue.

This is the last one I designed and it was then made for me by Michael Morris of Morris knives.

It was designed to be a general woods survival knife. Made from a 14 inch Nicholson file it is just shy of a quarter in thick, blade is hollow ground, 6 inches, with an OAL of 10 3/4 inches. Scales are canvas micarta and are easily removed. The dual lanyard holes make it easy to lash to a staff for use as an emergency spear. (yes I have tried it and it works very well) The non-sharpened portion makes it easy to baton with if needed. The texture of the file was dulled but is still present, this thing throws a huge spark from a fire stick.

 

[cubby]

i think the point is being missed. i want OTHERS to try and improve/toss out "designs" and things, so we can ALL tweak and view.

as to the use of a camp knife, in my view: it should be able to do a large amount of things fairly well. i can hear it now, "it can do alot of things poorly, but not just one very well!"... the fact is, thats just not true. in an ideal situation: sure. and ax to chop wood. and a filet knife to filet, a skinner to skin, a cleaver to cleave, a chainsaw to delimb... so on and so forth. but the fact of the matter is: most people camp to relax. not lug all their "gear" they have into the woods and such. do i haul an ax or tomahawk into the woods? sometimes. definetely not always. but i ALWAYS have a large knife.

the above is just MY opinion, and should only be taken as such.


as to the design of the original sketch. too often you will see a very, very cool knife that just has no practical application. is that knife "cool" looking? maybe. but with that grind, the stress riser in the blade, and no flair or lanyard hole at the end, to aid in safety of chopping (the only thing holding the knife in your hand is your grip and a limitied finger choil) its just not a practical outdoor knife. yet, if someone famous made it, it would be the best thing since sliced bread. i am guilty of it myself. but without critizism, everything is perfect the first time out. lets ask the Wright Brothers about that...........

so, who wants to design a hunting knife with the midwest as the hunting location? anyone wanna try it?

 

[DarkRose]

I'll try to post some pics in the next day or so of some blades I tinkered with grinding out of file blanks that never got handles, maybe get some input on refining the designs to make new ones, I've got access to equipment again <evil grin>

 

[Knife Lady]

I like the first design. Reminds me of a Buck knife I have in stock. Only without the hole in the blade. But I like a chiseled tanto blade.

 

[prowland]

I don't know if it was intentional but I would like to see the edge sharpened all the way to the handle...

 

[RTDoug]

Alright, I'll bite.

What length blade do you envision?
I'll assume 6"

I think a slightly more slender edge to spine dimension.
A steeper convex edge if chopping is a consideration.

The handle more of a reversed radius from the finger groove, rearward to a slight finger swell in the middle and reversed radius again for the pinky.

Also, grip slightly "pinched" just forward of the front pin for more thumb/index finger control in fine cuts, or for when pressure on the spine with the off hand is desired.

And definite full tang for strength.

Why the "window breaker"?