Bushcraft and folder: it's possible? How much long blade?
- Thread starter Alfredo
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The 2 knives I use most often for Bushcraft are non-locking folders. Either an Eye-brand Sodbuster or an SAK electrician plus.
The reason I use them most is simply because they are my 2 EDC knives.
The Sodbuster can be used pretty much as a straight swap for a fixed blade whilst the saw and awl on the SAK put it in a different class of tool for crafting. Sodbusters have very stiff and thick springs so open very solidly without locking. They don't really look tactical either and if you could find a sub 3" one it's be good for EDC in Britain - it's an under appreciated type of knife.
The reason I use them most is simply because they are my 2 EDC knives.
The Sodbuster can be used pretty much as a straight swap for a fixed blade whilst the saw and awl on the SAK put it in a different class of tool for crafting. Sodbusters have very stiff and thick springs so open very solidly without locking. They don't really look tactical either and if you could find a sub 3" one it's be good for EDC in Britain - it's an under appreciated type of knife.
Draft modified, now the thumb-sthud fit well also when folder is closed
Alfredo
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Alfredo
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Why use S30V when there's an improved version out (yes, I know things always move forward continually).
S35V. It's supposed to be less likely to chip than S30V.
S35V. It's supposed to be less likely to chip than S30V.
Draft modified, now the thumb-sthud fit well also when folder is closed
Alfredo
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Alfredo, to be fair, I think your handle looks totally wrong. The thin 'neck' doesn't look like it will be too comfy and the handle looks like it's on upside down!
I think I would ( if possible ) like to see a spec'd mock up using a deeper Blade and an Increased handle.
I prefer the look of J'd Handle , it seems to be a 'fuller' grip , trying to hold onto a smaller handle , I find problematic and frankly dangerous.
Still, your both far better men than me!!!
I prefer the look of J'd Handle , it seems to be a 'fuller' grip , trying to hold onto a smaller handle , I find problematic and frankly dangerous.
Still, your both far better men than me!!!
Stew, TeeDee,
this is my interpretation of a folder for hard use, good for "bushcraft" use. I don't pretend this is the best design of course, just mine
It maybe also hard to judge on a simple 2D draft, apologize.
Alfredo
this is my interpretation of a folder for hard use, good for "bushcraft" use. I don't pretend this is the best design of course, just mine
It maybe also hard to judge on a simple 2D draft, apologize.
Alfredo
Stew, TeeDee,
this is my interpretation of a folder for hard use, good for "bushcraft" use. I don't pretend this is the best design of course, just mine
It maybe also hard to judge on a simple 2D draft, apologize.
Alfredo
When you cut out a carboard mock-up, I bet you change the design.
Guys, I done a new draft, what do you think, I named it BUK-2, specs are morfe or less same at BUK-1, please add your comments
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Alfredo, I think it's coming to the point where I'd need to physically handle a prototype to be sure of my ground, but my immediate reaction is that the curve near the point on your last draft could be a bit longer and gentler. And please tell me that the thumb stud isn't what stops the blade opening any further? I think it ought to be clear of the handle by a couple of millimetres when open. I very much like the blade shape and the deep grind on the number 1 but I agree with others who think the handle might need to be a bit beefier.
Where do you go from the paper design stage? Do you make prototypes to test? I imagine that could be an expensive operation.
Where do you go from the paper design stage? Do you make prototypes to test? I imagine that could be an expensive operation.
I'll do mine (both BUK-1 and BUK-2) on cardboard.
How much folders do you foresee will be done? Who will make phisically these folders? Any idea?
How much folders do you foresee will be done? Who will make phisically these folders? Any idea?
Hi Alfredo,
Agreed with Stew that it's a widely used idea. It has its place in some applications. But in this one -- hard use, I think you said -- I question it.
Materials tend to fail in shear. They're a lot stronger in compression. The forces on the thumb stud, if it's preventing the blade from traveling further when, for example, you wrench the handle upwards to get it out of a log that you're batoning, are entirely in shear. Effectively you've made a guillotine with your knife, and you're trying to use the guillotine to cut off the thumb stud. I think you're asking the materials to give more than absolutely necessary. The forces on the parts of the handle restraining the stud are partly in shear, partly in tension and partly in compression. I know you said the stud will be extra heavy, but I just wonder how heavy it (and the part of the handle that it buts up against) will have to be to make that part of the tool bulletproof. I wouldn't know without a lot more thinking and probably some destructive testing what the most likely failure mechanism would be for the handle in that area. My gut feeling is that it's a weak point.
But this is just me throwing ideas about.
Agreed with Stew that it's a widely used idea. It has its place in some applications. But in this one -- hard use, I think you said -- I question it.
Materials tend to fail in shear. They're a lot stronger in compression. The forces on the thumb stud, if it's preventing the blade from traveling further when, for example, you wrench the handle upwards to get it out of a log that you're batoning, are entirely in shear. Effectively you've made a guillotine with your knife, and you're trying to use the guillotine to cut off the thumb stud. I think you're asking the materials to give more than absolutely necessary. The forces on the parts of the handle restraining the stud are partly in shear, partly in tension and partly in compression. I know you said the stud will be extra heavy, but I just wonder how heavy it (and the part of the handle that it buts up against) will have to be to make that part of the tool bulletproof. I wouldn't know without a lot more thinking and probably some destructive testing what the most likely failure mechanism would be for the handle in that area. My gut feeling is that it's a weak point.
But this is just me throwing ideas about.
Here you have 3 different way to stop the blade when open
- thumb-studs: they engage liners on 2 different places
- cilinder (don't know the name of this sistem): the blade engage the small cilinder between the liners just in 1 place
- back-lock: the blade engage the bar and consequently the entire locking system between the liner just in 1 place
due to the above, I will leave the "cilinder" system (of the Benchmade Rift in this case), and get on thumb-studs and back-lock
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best solutions could be maybe a combination of thumb.studs+back-lock, but I don't like so much back-lock systems due to the difficulty to clean and dry the knife in a wet environment, also an integral-lock knife need for a numere of pieces far less than the others kind of folders, which is always good thoughness
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...I'm now thinking about a knife with integral-lock + back-lock) could be nice, and really strong
Please don't ask me for thumb.studs + central cilinder because I yet try to do and I'm not able!
Alfredo
- thumb-studs: they engage liners on 2 different places
- cilinder (don't know the name of this sistem): the blade engage the small cilinder between the liners just in 1 place
- back-lock: the blade engage the bar and consequently the entire locking system between the liner just in 1 place
due to the above, I will leave the "cilinder" system (of the Benchmade Rift in this case), and get on thumb-studs and back-lock
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
best solutions could be maybe a combination of thumb.studs+back-lock, but I don't like so much back-lock systems due to the difficulty to clean and dry the knife in a wet environment, also an integral-lock knife need for a numere of pieces far less than the others kind of folders, which is always good thoughness
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
...I'm now thinking about a knife with integral-lock + back-lock
) could be nice, and really strong Please don't ask me for thumb.studs + central cilinder because I yet try to do and I'm not able!
Alfredo
