Post here for design critique.
- Thread starter Daniel Macina
- Start date
Daniel Macina
Well-Known Member
I’ll start. One of my favorite designs. What do you think?
Chris Railey
Well-Known Member
That is an interesting shape. What purpose do you have in mind for the knife? I am guessing the blade would be close to 2 inches wide. Do you plan to do plunge-less grind? I can see that being a useful knife.
Daniel Macina
Well-Known Member
The blade is 1.5” wide. Handle length is actually 4 1/4” I miss marked. As for use it started as a hunting knife and after several design changes it just kinda turned into this. Not necessarily a hunting knife anymore but it is still very capable in that use. Bet it might do decent in the kitchen as well. I’m just calling it a all around knife until I really decide what it is. Made a little mock up and it feels great in hand. I agree a think plunge less would look best.
Ps. Sorry I got to rambling.
Ps. Sorry I got to rambling.
Ty Adams
KNIFE MAKER
Thanks for starting this. I'm not really the best person to help with design. I'm a hobbyists that has very few knives under my belt. I make hunting knives, with no other experience in other types of knives.
John Wilson
Well-Known Member
Very pretty lines! My only suggestion would be to fatten up the butt on the handle a bit to add some geometric retention in the hand as the blade is swung for chopping. Doesn’t need much, just a slight bulge like a hammer handle. It would also add that tiny touch of visual balance.
BrandantR
Well-Known Member
That's definitely a chopper design, Justin, and I like it. I agree with John and you might also consider making the handle a bit thicker for a better grip. A thicker handle will also help to bring the blade heavy design back into balance and give the user better control.
Daniel Macina
Well-Known Member
I shouldn’t say anything because I need more help with design then anyone but it looks to me like the handle may be a tad skinny?
These critique threads can get brutal but are pretty effective. They are good in many ways.
It would be helpful to include dimensions (thickness, width, lengths (blade and handle)) and materials choice. Otherwise it is basically just aesthetics on the profile. You will have to make those choices anyway.
I'd also suggest using graph paper either 1/4" squares or 10 squares to the inch. The more you plan out on paper, the better the end product will be.
It would be helpful to include dimensions (thickness, width, lengths (blade and handle)) and materials choice. Otherwise it is basically just aesthetics on the profile. You will have to make those choices anyway.
I'd also suggest using graph paper either 1/4" squares or 10 squares to the inch. The more you plan out on paper, the better the end product will be.
The biggest problem is your drawing is not to scale at all so what you make may or may not look like this.
Justin W.
Well-Known Member
I couldn't agree more don't hold back from telling me where changes need to be made I'm about to invest hours of my time into creating a knife I want to get all the bumps ironed out right now
(I will adjust my next drawing so that I have better measurements and I will choose my materials so you guys can know what I will be working with)
Daniel Macina
Well-Known Member
What do you mean by not to scale? I’ve drawn it just like it would end up if I followed it exactly. Doesn’t always work that way forging because the steel sometimes has a mind of its own but……
I will take a picture with a ruler and maybe that will help?
Handle would be 3/4”ths at the narrowest and 1” at the widest.
Blade is 1 1/2” wide.
Handle would be wood of some sort.
Thickness I would have to see when I got there and the ideas start flowing. The pins I always layout after profiling. For some reason it’s easier for me to Dycom the handle then decide where I want the pins. Can’t ever get it right on paper for some reason.
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J. Doyle
Dealer - Purveyor
Daniel, I drew my own sketch of your knife, based on the dimensions you listed, just like I personally would do if I were making that exact knife. I stuck to the dimensions as closely as possible but tweaked them slightly for better visual flow and proportions, in my opinion only.
The problem with these things is a lot of it is personal preference. Some of the notable changes I drew include a little more drop to the tip and butt end, changed the angle on the underside of the handle, smoothed out the transition in the choil/blade heel area and less blade belly.
If I was going to make a knife based on your sketch and dimensions, this is how it would look. Its just my take and you might love it or hate it. If it helps you, feel free to use any or all of it. If not, feel free to disregard.
Daniel Macina
Well-Known Member
J. Doyle
Dealer - Purveyor
You are most welcome Daniel. I am no master though. I have trials and tribulations that I have to overcome daily.
I do agree with Tracy when he said this:
This is super important. Having a plan will make things much easier. The better the plan, the better the finished product. It doesn't mean the plan can't or won't change because of oversight or mistakes, but a good drawing helps.
On a drawing, just like on a knife, lines should be straight and crisp. Arcs and/or curves should be elegant and graceful, smooth and flowing. Make every line, curve and angle deliberate and purposeful......like you meant to do it that way.
That's the best design advice I can offer.
I do agree with Tracy when he said this:
This is super important. Having a plan will make things much easier. The better the plan, the better the finished product. It doesn't mean the plan can't or won't change because of oversight or mistakes, but a good drawing helps.
On a drawing, just like on a knife, lines should be straight and crisp. Arcs and/or curves should be elegant and graceful, smooth and flowing. Make every line, curve and angle deliberate and purposeful......like you meant to do it that way.
That's the best design advice I can offer.
DustyMagnets
Member
Templates are worthless and priceless!
Chris Railey
Well-Known Member
Yep, what he said.