A friend of mine who is a knife maker was playing around with making Damascus forged out 2 billets that are both about 6 inches long and an inch and a quarter wide and gave them to me. Most of my knives I make are 7+ inches long...and I can't seem to come up with a design for something small that is still comfortable. I figured I'd ask-anyone have any advice for how to make a small blade still feel comfy in hand? Going to be used for EDC type stuff.
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Small knife design help
- Thread starter Nic.
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- Jun 11, 2006
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Sounds like perfect steel to forge into a knife. Use about an inch of one end and forge it into a hidden tang and draw the rest out. There should be more then enough steel there to do a decent size blade.
Horsewright
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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- Oct 4, 2011
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Howdy Nic
Got three ideas for you. This is my own personal edc and it's 5.25" oal. I'm about 6'4" with pretty big hands and this little guy has worked very well for me. I've carried this knife daily now for about 2 years or so. Has worked very well in my hands. This is my Vaquero Ultralite model.
Next up is the Gordo. It too is 5.25" oal. Prior to the Vaquero Ultralite one of these was my edc and I carried it for about 5 years. Nichole has one too and she has carried it daily for even longer. I agree that the curve downwards to the handle (as mentioned above) is very important in getting a design to work well in a large variety of hands.
Third is The California Coyote (in damascus, just the Coyote in AEB-L). This one runs 6.25" oal. I've been thinking I needed a new knife and have been contemplating making one of these for myself. I think the one thing that makes all three of these designs work is the downward curve of the handle. Seems to allow ya to hold on when there ain't much to hold onto. This one is my ranching partner's. its his edc and it has done a lot. I often accuse him of digging in the dirt with his knives. He don't really but fun to tease him.
Hope this helps, how is your chaps project going?
Got three ideas for you. This is my own personal edc and it's 5.25" oal. I'm about 6'4" with pretty big hands and this little guy has worked very well for me. I've carried this knife daily now for about 2 years or so. Has worked very well in my hands. This is my Vaquero Ultralite model.
Next up is the Gordo. It too is 5.25" oal. Prior to the Vaquero Ultralite one of these was my edc and I carried it for about 5 years. Nichole has one too and she has carried it daily for even longer. I agree that the curve downwards to the handle (as mentioned above) is very important in getting a design to work well in a large variety of hands.
Third is The California Coyote (in damascus, just the Coyote in AEB-L). This one runs 6.25" oal. I've been thinking I needed a new knife and have been contemplating making one of these for myself. I think the one thing that makes all three of these designs work is the downward curve of the handle. Seems to allow ya to hold on when there ain't much to hold onto. This one is my ranching partner's. its his edc and it has done a lot. I often accuse him of digging in the dirt with his knives. He don't really but fun to tease him.
Hope this helps, how is your chaps project going?
I like it. A bit too modern for my taste, but I see what your saying about the handle! Thanks!
Shorty McFatwide.
Ha, nice name for them. Would make a good skinner-thanks for the ideas!
And as always, Dave to the rescue with all sorts of pictures and ideasHowdy Nic
Got three ideas for you. This is my own personal edc and it's 5.25" oal. I'm about 6'4" with pretty big hands and this little guy has worked very well for me. I've carried this knife daily now for about 2 years or so. Has worked very well in my hands. This is my Vaquero Ultralite model.
Next up is the Gordo. It too is 5.25" oal. Prior to the Vaquero Ultralite one of these was my edc and I carried it for about 5 years. Nichole has one too and she has carried it daily for even longer. I agree that the curve downwards to the handle (as mentioned above) is very important in getting a design to work well in a large variety of hands.
Third is The California Coyote (in damascus, just the Coyote in AEB-L). This one runs 6.25" oal. I've been thinking I needed a new knife and have been contemplating making one of these for myself. I think the one thing that makes all three of these designs work is the downward curve of the handle. Seems to allow ya to hold on when there ain't much to hold onto. This one is my ranching partner's. its his edc and it has done a lot. I often accuse him of digging in the dirt with his knives. He don't really but fun to tease him.
Hope this helps, how is your chaps project going?
. I really like the first one- super useful looking little guy. Chap project hasn't started yet...unfortunately other projects have taken priority over them-but in hoping to get started on them soon!
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- Nov 28, 2014
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Both of these would fit on your billet. Top is my skinner and the bottom is just an EDC I do. Make sure you post some pics of the finished product!
Horsewright
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2011
- Messages
- 13,037
Gotcha. When ya get started don't hesitate to email if ya have any questions. Getting to be that time of the year for those shotgun chaps. I'd like to see your design on the knife too when ya get started.
- Joined
- May 18, 2009
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- 1,831
Small knives are hard to get right for sure.
Thanks Dave, I really appreciate that. I know, it's been really chilly on my rides lately!
I'll post pics of the knife!