Design/symmetry question?

T

Tin.Man

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Sep 5, 2010
Messages
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Alright trying to design a sort of Bowie hybrid for myself and oh about 100 drawings later what I envision in my head and what's coming out on paper isn't doing it. Granted I can't draw, but that's an issue for another day.

Does it mess with the flow if I want the handle to be 1" wide but the blade 1.5" but I don't drop the handle to be in the same line as the edge towards the pommel?

Hopefully text makes sense cause I have no idea how to post a picture.

Appreciate the help guys.
 
Like this?

bowie029.JPG

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Yes, not as fancy or ornate granted but being as the handle doesn't slope down does that draw you eye in a bad way?
 
It is called a drop edge (or dropped edge) and I like them
You can use the dropped part of the blade if it isn't sharpened as a sort of finger guard
 
I think what the Op was talking about is the kind of handles where the butt end of the handle sort of droops down for a semi pistol type grip.
 
IMG-20160726-_WA0016.jpg


Here is a pic of what I mean. I rounded the steel between the edge and handle so it functions as a sort of finger guard.
No sharp edges touching the index finger but also no slipping on the edge
 
I think it looks fine. At least I hope so, as I do it all the time. All my chefs knives and many smaller field knives. though some of these don't have it done yet, I round the area there for comfort.


IMG_20161207_111949643_HDR.jpg P_20170421_112318_vHDR_Auto.jpg P_20170629_105240_vHDR_Auto.jpg
 
No no Kevin the above looks great! I'm more asking if you guys think it's ok to make something with a wide blade but leaving the handle almost straight and obviously not 1.5" wide closer to 1" width. I like simple almost flattened broomstick style handles. Not a contour fan myself in handles, but really want a tall blade that uses thinner steel
 
well, that's pretty much what most wa handle kitchen knives are, as well as older style bowies (like a coffin handle). I don't think that design element is going to make or break a design, but like with most design elements, it depends on the rest of the design as to whether it looks out of place or not.
 
Tin.Man said:
No no Kevin the above looks great! I'm more asking if you guys think it's ok to make something with a wide blade but leaving the handle almost straight and obviously not 1.5" wide closer to 1" width. I like simple almost flattened broomstick style handles. Not a contour fan myself in handles, but really want a tall blade that uses thinner steel
Click to expand...
Do you not like them or do you not know how to shape them. Generally simpler is better unless it's an excuse to cut corners. I can almost guarantee that a shaped handle is going to be more comfortable and pleasing to look at then a broom handle. Your handle needs to be thinner then it is tall so it indexes in your hand. If it's round and especially with a wide blade it will be harder to keep edge where you want it. But that is just my thoughts, it's your design you can make it how ever you like.
 
Not a broom handle JT, more like a broom handle that's been flattened on the sides. For me it feels great in any grip not just the one fencing style grips that so many coke bottle grips cater towards. Also I want something that feels good in everyone's hands. And when I think a good coke bottle grip feels great my buddy says it feels cramped and the other says it feels huge.

That's a discussion for another post, thoughts on the rough shapes of the above? I am feeling the bottom the most, by hanging the handle so much narrower than the blade doesn't draw focus?
 
I'm not feeling it for the shapes, but of the 3 I like the bottom one best. Build all three as similar as possible to be comfortable to your hand then get a friend with your hand size to give feedback on feel before larger or smaller hand s ize. I have HUGE hands so I have 3 friends test my blades and handles small, medium, large hands.

Finding one handle shape that makes everyone happy...Good luck!
 
I'm not a fan of a straight handle. The reason being it seems in use the blade/ handle doesn't feel to be at the correct angle to be ergonomic. I always make my handles with a arc and slightly wider at the butt. I'm with you though on the severe contouring some people do, if not well executed it does limit grip styles. I also don't think it's attractive.

I use the slack portion of my grinder belt between the tracking wheel and top wheel on the flat platten to do my countouring. I lay my scale in line length wise with the belt and rock it back and forth. This leaves a convex area towards the middle of the scale and both ends slightly taper towards the butt and blade. Mind you this is done before the scales are glued to the tang.( I get my scales 90% done before I glue them up to the blade.)
I find that this style of handle sculpting fits the hand better in many grips, and have had many people comment on how comfortable it is.
If you add drop and taper to your handle it will feel great in hand in many grip styles due to your wrist angle being more in line.
 
I really appreciate they help guys. Thank you for the feedback as well. That's why I wanted to post, really want a wider bladed edc but want to get it right.
 
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