FK2 Prototype

Bob, it could be argued with the utmost validity that the Carothers have built their own fiefdom in the Tar Heel State ;)
 
woodysone said:
N ni1s It has been a real pleasure looking at your pictures and comments on how your new field knife handles. All in all, it sounds like it is another well thought out companion to your outdoor needs. How are the handles holding up being made out of burlap, absorb water, good grip, any damage? Thanks for putting through what all of us want to!;)
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Thank you! So far the burlap is great. Looks very nice. I doubt t absorbs any water. Compared to some other burlap I’ve used this one is one of the denser. No damage. It gets a little slippery when wet, but the shape of the handle makes it feel very safe in hand anyway. I usually go for unbuffed micarta for the added grip, but I have no regrets/concerns with buffed burlap at this point.
 
Lorien said:
the original FK's guard is more of a symmetrical shape with a larger radius between it and the handle, whereas the updated version's guard has a bit of a rearward cant to it. This closes the radius between the handle and guard and moves it slightly forward, increasing the guard's functionality and allowing slightly more real estate upon which to choke up on the handle for work where that's helpful. Additional chamfering decreases the potential for hotspots that generally come from a tight radius in this area. The aesthetics are significantly improved as well, imo.

let me also make clear, I had no direct input or involvement in the redesign. Nathan put my mark on there as a courtesy and a nod to our roots together, which were seeded with the original Field Knife. That being said, I like the revision a lot and am curious to find out first hand what effect the changes make.
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Thank you, Lorien, for the very comprehensive explanation/reply.
Following the process and learning about the thoughts that go into blades is a big part of what makes this hobby so enjoyable.
 
Thank you for posting! I enjoyed reading through the preceding pages. I've had a lot of great knives and have constantly bought, sold and in cases where the knife felt right, used and sometimes held onto some. All in the pursuit if finding that ONE blade that's just right. That ticks all the boxes. The one that wasnt really purpose built for any one task but could do a respectable job of filling many roles. Something I could grab, stuff in my pocket (I'm a big boy), belt or pack and have the confidence that I've got the only blade I really NEED to have on me. One that can get the job done without fail. I enjoy that in the FK, I've got a blade that can stand up to the abuse that I'd never throw at a cherished tool, but have piece of mind knowing it's capable of some extreme feats. Huge cool points. This knife melts into my hand, its become an extension of it. Feels like it was made for me. Given how right this knife is for me, I'm pretty amped about a new, revamped version and can't wait to get one in hand. It would be hard to match my trusty FK that's been riding in my pocket every day since I got it last year but this one could do it! Can't wait!
 
That thumb ramp thing looks like it would force the user's thumb into one position and be a nightmare in any other position. Can you dissuade my apprehension, N ni1s ?
 
Earthy said:
That thumb ramp thing looks like it would force the user's thumb into one position and be a nightmare in any other position. Can you dissuade my apprehension, N ni1s ?
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I don't mean to sound glib but there's a thumb ramp on every single Carothers pattern which I have seen and owned. If thumb ramps are not suited to how you handle knives and how they fit in your hands for your needs, you may be looking at the wrong make. I have held Nathan's knives in many positions apart from forward with thumb on ramp and the use of the word nightmare in those situations is quite frankly insulting!

The handles, scales and the balance of CPKs is such that you can assume many other natural holding positions without the ramp being noticed as any kind of hindrance. In my humble opinion FWIW, the ramp is definitely an asset to the CPK patterns and not any sort of liability.
 
Earthy said:
That thumb ramp thing looks like it would force the user's thumb into one position and be a nightmare in any other position. Can you dissuade my apprehension, N ni1s ?
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Welcome.

I'm m sure N ni1s will be along soon to respond. I just wanted to opine that many here have a great deal of experience with a variety of brands. My personal interest in knives almost always focuses on custom handle work. It's what I do. I re-handle a LOT of knives.

In my experience and in my oponion, one that will be echoed here, you simply will not find a more well thought out knife handle/thumb ramp ergonomic design than those developed by Nathan the Machinist Nathan the Machinist and Lorien Lorien . This one will be a dream to use, not a nightmare.
 
Hard Knocks said:
Not speaking for Nils, because I do not have an FK2, but on the original the ramp feels very subtle. Welcome to the forum.
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This particular thumb ramp seemed to have a bit more of a point on top so wanted to hear how it compared to the first FK or even HDFK. I've done quite a bit of reading here but haven't read everything, has either Nathan or Lorien said why that thumb ramp is even there? Thanks!
 
Casinostocks said:
I don't mean to sound glib but there's a thumb ramp on every single Carothers pattern which I have seen and owned. If thumb ramps are not suited to how you handle knives and how they fit in your hands for your needs, you may be looking at the wrong make. I have held Nathan's knives in many positions apart from forward with thumb on ramp and the use of the word nightmare in those situations is quite frankly insulting!

The handles, scales and the balance of CPKs is such that you can assume many other natural holding positions without the ramp being noticed as any kind of hindrance. In my humble opinion FWIW, the ramp is definitely an asset to the CPK patterns and not any sort of liability.
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Haha sorry about that I genuinely did not mean to insult. That's just my late night ramblings I guess. The HDFK looked to be a model that may fit my hand the best and I didn't think too much about the thumb ramp. Like I said above this some seems to be more pronounced and I couldn't tell from N1ls pictures if it was very versatile. I'm glad to hear your feedback in a positive light on these models. Maybe they're not the knives for me as the ramp and guard seem to work against how I want to use the knife.
 
Earthy said:
Haha sorry about that I genuinely did not mean to insult. That's just my late night ramblings I guess. The HDFK looked to be a model that may fit my hand the best and I didn't think too much about the thumb ramp. Like I said above this some seems to be more pronounced and I couldn't tell from N1ls pictures if it was very versatile. I'm glad to hear your feedback in a positive light on these models. Maybe they're not the knives for me as the ramp and guard seem to work against how I want to use the knife.
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Don't mind him, that's just Uncle Matty, he's our own special (needs) person.

Yeah, if you don't like thumb ramps you won't like our knives, they pretty much all incorporate one. Thanks for checking us out though. :thumbsup:
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
Don't mind him, that's just Uncle Matty, he's our own special (needs) person.

Yeah, if you don't like thumb ramps you won't like our knives, they pretty much all incorporate one. Thanks for checking us out though. :thumbsup:
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How did you miss or omit incorporating a ramp into your venerable daggers?! :confused: I’d be asking for a recall if I owned one :D
 
a thumb ramp, like almost any general feature on a knife, if well conceived, it can work by adding control and power to certain types of cuts.

I have mixed feelings about things like thumb ramps, finger choils, lanyard holes, and 'features' in general. It's my job as a designer for someone who makes knives to understand their goals. Because thumb ramps are a staple, (one could say a specialty) of CPK, placement and shape are an integral part of the process. They are not added simply to disrupt a line here or there in order to create visual interest.

Do I think every knife should have a thumb ramp? Hell no! Do I think CPK's should have thumb ramps? Hell yeah! It's part of the aesthetic, but more importantly they work as intended without getting in the way.

That's just my two cents
 
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"Whether it be the sweeping eagle in his flight, or the open apple-blossom, the toiling work-horse, the blithe swan, the branching oak, the winding stream at its base, the drifting clouds, over all the coursing sun, form ever follows function, and this is the law."

Horatio Greenough
 
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