Josh Dabney
Moderator
I think most of us probably have similar views that we owe a debt of gratitude to all of our men and women in uniform who risk everything to provide our security, freedom, and protect our way of life. Making a knife for a soldier is to me a great way to express my thanks and I'm greatful to have the oppertunity to participate in this project and thanks the fellas who made it all happen- Justin, Murph, Bill, Dave, Boss, and Aldo to name a few.
I've never served or been in a hostile enviornment so I can only speculate the requirements of a Combat Duty knife. It goes unsaid that form will definately follow function but an appealing form sure isn't a bad thing if funtion isn't compromised. I thought hard about what I would personally want in a knife under the harsh curcumstances it will likely face and here's what I came up with-
1st priority is an effective fighting tool. To me this means nice and pointy while being stout enough at the tip to take anything thrown it's way without damage and thin enough at the edge to be laser sharp, an efficient cutter, and easily maintained. I also think it's very important that the handle is designed to protect the users hand from the blade in extremely stressfull split second situations.
2nd priority is that the blade is stout enough in general for extreme utility chores that a kitchen knife or hunter would likely never see. The typical caveat "it's a knife not a screwdriver or prybar" just cannot be applied to a combat knife IMHO. I imagine that a soldier would grab the most convenient and possibly only tool available to do just about anything necessary.
I think if these requirements are met then all other typical utility chores we use knives for will take care of themselves. I guess by this I mean I wouldn't mind if my Combat knife wasn't the MOST effective knife for opening boxes, letters, mail etc, and believe that for most general tasks like this the effectivness can be judged more accurately by how sharp the blade is than its geometry.
I thought I'd give you guys some insight into my train of thought for the design choices and grind style I put on my knife.
I am open too, and would appreciate, any comments, commentary, critique, or advice reguarding my thinking, design and build.
Pics to follow shortly -Josh
I've never served or been in a hostile enviornment so I can only speculate the requirements of a Combat Duty knife. It goes unsaid that form will definately follow function but an appealing form sure isn't a bad thing if funtion isn't compromised. I thought hard about what I would personally want in a knife under the harsh curcumstances it will likely face and here's what I came up with-
1st priority is an effective fighting tool. To me this means nice and pointy while being stout enough at the tip to take anything thrown it's way without damage and thin enough at the edge to be laser sharp, an efficient cutter, and easily maintained. I also think it's very important that the handle is designed to protect the users hand from the blade in extremely stressfull split second situations.
2nd priority is that the blade is stout enough in general for extreme utility chores that a kitchen knife or hunter would likely never see. The typical caveat "it's a knife not a screwdriver or prybar" just cannot be applied to a combat knife IMHO. I imagine that a soldier would grab the most convenient and possibly only tool available to do just about anything necessary.
I think if these requirements are met then all other typical utility chores we use knives for will take care of themselves. I guess by this I mean I wouldn't mind if my Combat knife wasn't the MOST effective knife for opening boxes, letters, mail etc, and believe that for most general tasks like this the effectivness can be judged more accurately by how sharp the blade is than its geometry.
I thought I'd give you guys some insight into my train of thought for the design choices and grind style I put on my knife.
I am open too, and would appreciate, any comments, commentary, critique, or advice reguarding my thinking, design and build.
Pics to follow shortly -Josh