[Updated 11/28/09] Version: Nomad custom survival knife design w/ sheath

[tmarsh388]

handle and guard tweaked
New version: Nomad


Old version: 3.0

Perhaps the final version
NEW
Version 3.0

2nd version 3D model
Now that I have the model made Im not to sure about the handle. A revision may be in order.

NEW

NEW sheath concept

OLD

no more wheel stud
Im going to implement a lever buckle system (sort of like a buckle on a ski boot) into the knife and sheath for an easy lock easy open instead of use a button. More on my locking mechanism soon
Old


Dimensions: Blade thinkness: 4mm
Blade height: 30mm
Blade length: 100mm
Interrupted edge: 40mm
handle: 115mm
The Knife
I'm hoping to use a tanto style fixed blade for its tip strength and a wheel like thumb-stud. On the back of the blade I would like to incorporate an (interrupted blade) for cord cutting. The handle I'm not sure about the materials yet, but I'm think of using some sort of soft (comfortable) rubber on the back where your thumb and index finger webbing rest. hopefully to prevent blister from long term continuous use. the rest of the handle might be some sort of composite material.

The Steel
I'm not really sure what kind of steel to use, maybe 154CM stainless or CPM D2 tool steel. I'm not very knowledgeable about different types of steels nor do I know much about what steel type is better suited as a "survival" knife.

ANY INPUT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED

 

[StuToffee]

Re: Need help with custom survival knife design

I like the short, stout blade, but I dont think tantos are especially good blade-styles for a Survival knife.

 

[tmarsh388]

Re: Need help with custom survival knife design

good to know thanks man.

 

[StuToffee]

Re: Need help with custom survival knife design

Its a very nice looking design though. Looks rather like a high-tech cross of a Gerber LMF & Camillus Pilot Survival knife.
I like the grip too, is that a "cut-away" section in the handle? Abit like the one on Rob Bayliss's knife (Bear Gryllz uses one, sadly!)

 

[jzmtl]

Re: Need help with custom survival knife design

Look more "tactical" than "survival" IMO. My personal preference is something like Mora knives, with lower guard, a bit bigger and stouter.

 

[Patriot]

Re: Need help with custom survival knife design

I dig your handle design but think the choil could be a few millimeters shorter. I guess this would be considered a modified Tanto point which I'm not too hot on for outdooring/survival. The point style ends up dictating the cutting edge on this design which happens to be dead flat. Again, a completely flat edge wouldn't be my choice at all. I just don't think they chop or press cut very well. I think you've made a pretty nice tactical design that looks very stout.

If you're specifically looking for a outdooring blade maybe have a look at various manufacturers who are making specific survival designs. You'll find that they usually share some similar traits that tend to work best. The 4" blade size alone is going to limit the knife to lighter tasks. A 5" blade with a deep belly, a lot of weight forward and a full flat grind would be pretty effective though if you're trying to keep things small.

Have you taken a look at any of the Bark River's at all? They have an amazingly broad product line.

 

[carrot]

Re: Need help with custom survival knife design

If you can choose CPM 3V steel you should go for it. It is simply the cat's meow of steels. It is not stainless but not particularly prone to rusting if you keep a mirror finish or at least dry it out, and extremely tough. Gets wicked sharp and holds it for a very long time.

 

[tmarsh388]

Re: Need help with custom survival knife design

I decided to re-design the knife concept and only leave a few things from the original concept. things I plan on changing are the blade style. I'm changing this because a tanto blade would be very difficult to create CORRECTLY and I found its almost pointless in a knife suitable for survival in the wilderness. I plan on changing the grip to ergonomically fit my hand PERFECTLY. I will not be using any sort of soft rubber, I learned that this causes blisters not prevents them. But with a handle molded for my hand I shouldnt have to worry to much about blisters anyways. Im leaving the wheel thumb-stud. I realize that some if not all of you have know idea why I'm you any sort of thumb-stud in the first place. I plan on creating a sheath self locking mechanism with it. (more details on the hopefully later) Back to the blade, I'm going to design an actual cord cutting blade on the edge side near the base of the blade instead of just have an interrupted blade on the back side. I plan on leave the interrupted edge where it is. I am also thinking of going with a ( what I believe to be) a modified drop-point blade style. (kinda of a crossover between a drop-point and a tanto blade.
pictures of concept soon to follow.

 

[RAGE CAGE]

Re: Need help with custom survival knife design

Look more "tactical" than "survival" IMO. My personal preference is something like Mora knives, with lower guard, a bit bigger and stouter.

+ 1 for Mora, Frosts, or any "softer steel" scandi grind. Highly visible, easily field sharpenable, will float if dropped in water. Your design looks very robust- but looks like it would be hart to choke up on it to whittle snare/deadfal triggers etc. If you design a sheath- make sure to include a pouch for a Doan's Magnesium firestarter.

 

[tmarsh388]

Re: Need help with custom survival knife design

Just finished the new version

 

[tmarsh388]

Re: [Updated] Need help with custom survival knife design

Im going to implement a lever buckle system (sort of like a buckle on a ski boot) into the knife and sheath for an easy lock easy open instead of use a button. More on my locking mechanism soon

 

[tmarsh388]

Re: [Updated] Need help with custom survival knife design

I am however very new to special purpose knives. I have also NEVER designed an knife let alone crafted one before. So this is all very new to me. ANY input or help would be greatly appreciated. I will however though it out there that I am a huge perfectionist, and probably wont begin the creation process until the initial concept design is well, perfect. so please feel free to make fun or whatever. I dont really care just as long as its "constructive criticism" and Im able to learn from it.

 

[Owen]

Re: [Updated] Need help with custom survival knife design w/ sheath

Take a look at the Fehrman Peace Maker for a knife in this size range:
http://www.fehrmanknives.com/knives.htm
or the RAT Cutlery RC-4:
http://www.ratcutlery.com/rc-4.htm (Jeff's got lots of cool pics if you browse around, and a survival forum with some great members, though I haven't looked around there in quite awhile).
Both companies also make 6" versions of those knives, but I found(at least with the Fehrman) the longer versions were too light for their length, and didn't add that much to the knife.
These "all-around" knives are a mix of compromises, though.

My "survival" knife is a Victorinox Hiker, though I'll take a larger fixed blade for light limbing, or splitting, since I prefer that to a hatchet. Most of the "tactical prybar" and "survival" blades are for appealing to people's fantasies, not actually using in the woods. A 4-5" blade is only good because it's a servicable length that you can carry on your person comfortably. I like them thin and short for cutting ability and control, or longer and thicker where the additional weight, and length are a boon for chopping, splitting, and acting stupid with.

 

[tmarsh388]

Re: [Updated] Need help with custom survival knife design w/ sheath

2nd revision
NEW

 

[tmarsh388]

Re: [Updated] Need help with custom survival knife design w/ sheath

Perhaps the final version
NEW
Version 3.0

 

[tmarsh388]

Re: [Updated] 3.0 Need help with custom survival knife design w/ sheath

OK I have a quick question about the weight balance. Should the center of balance to in the middle making both blade and the handle equal in weight? Or should the blade be heaviest ( like a hammer is weighted)?

 

[tmarsh388]

Re: [Updated] 3.0 Need help with custom survival knife design w/ sheath

Just messing around with some possible handle materials.
I would also like to incorporate some type of (very) buoyant material for a core of the handle. Hope allowing it to float or at the very least sink very slowly. If you have any materials in mind by all means please let me know. Im open for suggestions.

 

[jzmtl]

Re: [Updated] 3.0 Need help with custom survival knife design w/ sheath

I like the 3rd design but would make some changes. Make the upper guard flush with handle so your thumb can go over it and push on spine (make it semi-rounded too) comfortably. Get rid of the swedge, you aren't going to stab anything with it, a stronger tip is better.

Weight balance doesn't really matter in knife this size/porpose in my experience.

Don't bother with boyancy IMO, to make even a fillet knife float it needs a fat foam handle, on knife this thick you can forget it.

 

[HoopleHead]

Re: [Updated] 3.0 Need help with custom survival knife design w/ sheath

Agree, flush the top and add jimping. Drop the swedge. Skip buoyancy, if you're near water have the wrist lanyard on! Wood, micarta or G-10 handles. Add a choil.

 

[tmarsh388]

Re: [Updated] 3.0 Need help with custom survival knife design w/ sheath

I have the guard there (at least for now) for a sort of center weight to possibly help drive the knife through with a "chopping " motion better. Whether or not this weighted guard stays is a question I'll leave for time and trial and error to answer.