New knife.

[Trunks]

Duncan, Jonathan, I'd not thought of increasing the thickness of the blade - that makes alot more sense now.
Thanks for bearing with me chaps, I'm enjoying this

 

[JonathanD]

Depends what you are doing Jon. A long sweeping curve bites well, extending the tip gives a sharper point. In reality if you overlay that design, very little is changed other than a tip extension and longer cutting edge.

I guess comparing our current knives show a diffence in taste and use - thats fine though. I like a finer, more slicing oriented design - but I use an axe for impact cutting

That is true Red, our personal knives are like chalk and cheese. At the moment the fatter drop point with wider blade plays to my tastes more, while the upswept design would certainly be more appealing to yours.

 

[ged]

Not having had the opportunity to hold the original knife makes it difficult to judge, but to me the handle could be meatier. My hands are on the large side too, I much prefer something bulky to get hold of and I think it gives better control of the angle of attack on the work. It's interesting to see Red and Jonathan comparing their personal tastes.

Just an observation, when it comes to the sheath, I'd want to lose the fastener if at all possible.

 

[British Red]

I have a womans hands m'lud

 

[JonathanD]

Ged, you make a good point. I've just spent the last few days going back and forth with Rob Bayley on a new knife design. I only really made any headway into what I wanted by making some mock ups in cardboard, which ultimately led to an end reult and final decision. It might be the way to go with this too. Only takes a few minutes to mock them up from some thick card.

 

[Trunks]

Ged, you make a good point. I've just spent the last few days going back and forth with Rob Bayley on a new knife design. I only really made any headway into what I wanted by making some mock ups in cardboard, which ultimately led to an end reult and final decision. It might be the way to go with this too. Only takes a few minutes to mock them up from some thick card.

Indeed, that's what i have done with the ones with the black background - cut out of white 4mm art mounting board

I suppose my next step is to laser cut some out of perspex and play with some clay to get the handle shape right. Ged you're right, it needs to be meatier for me a bit like my enzo i made:

As for the sheath, the quality of Rapidboys was second to none, but i like the quirkiness of the one Rich (Blacksheep) made for me, see below

Then i suppose i need to identify the scales material :yikes:

 

[ged]

... it needs to be meatier for me a bit like my enzo i made:

Oh I say, that's nice.

As for the sheath, the quality of Rapidboys was second to none, but i like the quirkiness of the one Rich (Blacksheep) made for me...

Hrm, a bit too quirky for my taste I'm afraid but it does look like very good work.

So what scales then? okenest:

 

[Trunks]

Oh I say, that's nice.

Cheers, i really enjoyed making it, the carbon fibre scales were... Interesting to work with

So what scales then? okenest:

Argggghhhhhh!!

Actually i loved the desert ironwood i had on the last knife, but fancy something a bit different. If i could afford it i'd go for Mammoth molar from Brisa!

he he he

 

[Stew]

I'm not a fan of Mammoth tooth but each to his own. I've heard it's not the easiest to work and wonder how it would fare being dropped when on the knife.

 

[Trunks]

Thanks for your thoughts Stew, I'm now looking at either antler/horn or mammoth ivory, something like these:

 

[Trunks]

Just thinking about which steel now!

Have had 01 in the past and found it to be quite good, but would love to hear anyone's thoughts or experiences with the SF77 treated & quenched as used on many Stu Mitchell blades.

Thanks

 

[Xunil]

If it's the SF77 steel I know of it's absolute rubbish. It has so little carbon in it (0.53%) without the supporting elements that might otherwise make it a better performer there is barely enough to harden the blade.

SF100 and SF77 are about on a level with 440A.

If you want stainless go for one of the better modern particle melt alloys that can hold a great edge.

If you like carbon the O1 is good, and A2 is quite a bit better. D2 is great in the right hands but it's a bugger to sharpen by comparison.

I wouldn't thank you for a knife made from SF77. I was so unimpressed with it when I bought some years ago that I used it for guards and bolsters rather than as blade material and I know of at least two other knifemakers who have a similar opinion of it.

S30V, 12C27, 154CM or RWL34 on the other hand...

What are you intending the knife to be used for ?

 

[JonathanD]

I'd go with RWL-34 if I were you. It's a far superior steel.

 

[Trunks]

What are you intending the knife to be used for ?

Just for general camp-craft really, feathering, battoning, food prep etc but could be put to hard use if required.

i'm just after something that will stand up to some abuse, stay pretty rust free, not chip and hold a great edge. Asking a lot i know

 

[JonathanD]

Just for general camp-craft really, feathering, battoning, food prep etc but could be put to hard use if required.

i'm just after something that will stand up to some abuse, stay pretty rust free, not chip and hold a great edge. Asking a lot i know

Not at all, RWL-34 will do all that very very well.

 

[Xunil]

Any of the modern alloys mentioned previously will do that with aplomb if correctly heat treated.

 

[Trunks]

After a while of inactivity on my part, things are moving again

I'm getting a couple of blade blanks laser cut from acrylic tomorrow at work - so I'll get chance to play over the weekend

What are your thoughts on the "balance" of a knife? Should it be slightly blade end heavy?

 

[JonathanD]

What are your thoughts on the "balance" of a knife? Should it be slightly blade end heavy?

I like mine handle heavy. That way they don't pivot and fight your grip but naturally lie in it. Less tiring over long term use and more secure and safe too.

 

[British Red]

Yep, handle bias for me too

 

[Trunks]

Thanks gents

I'm going to see Stu at the Portland Works open day, so it will be out of my hands then.

Will post pics of the prototype before it goes off though.