Hybrid Vest Fighter

[srtben]

Hey guys! I have been pretty busy with orders, so I haven't had much time for new designs. I finally got a chance to make one I have been wanting to do for a while.
It's sort of a vest bowie size, but more of fighter. I decided to go rustic with the antique finished 1075 blade and some highly figured wagon wheel wrought iron for the guard.
The spacer and menuki are hammer copper. The clip is pretty close to sharp, but not sharpened. The blade has a nice distal taper to the point and is balanced right behind the guard. It feels very lively in hand. OAL is 10 5/8" w/ a 5 7/8" blade that is right at .265" at the thickest point.
The sheath is a simple sash carry style.
Let me know what you guys think.

 

 

 

 

 

[Lin Rhea]

Very nice Ben.

When planning a knife like this one, do you let the sheath play a part in the blade and handle relationship? I see that the handle sits in the center line of the sheath. It might seem obvious but Is this something you take into consideration in your designs?

This knife reminds me of one I saw by Anders Hogstram.

[srtben]

Thanks Lin.

I don't usually draw up the sheath until the knife is totally. Most of my knives I like to have the tip of the blade on a center line through the middle of the handle (with a few exceptions). That seems to give the most control with normal use and especially for "poking".

[Lin Rhea]

I agree with your judgment about the blade tip being on the center of the handle especially with that straight style handle. That handle would be appropriate for any blade with the tip centered including a dagger.

In fact, when I am drawing a knife on the drawing pad, I start by drawing a straight horizontal line and bisect it with a perpendicular line to give me a starting reference for the entire knife.

Back to the sheath, I will sometimes make the guard asymmetric to allow the sheath to even up on both ends.

I'm taking a long time to say that I like the knife and the sheath looks good centered the way you have.  

[Ray Hammond]

   

[Steve Nuckels]

That is a very appealing knife and sheath, I like your choice of materials.

I have been working with copper recently, I have made a few small leaves, fun and interesting.

Steve
--------
Potomac Forge
Member, W.F. Moran Jr. Museum & Foundation
ABS AP

[Track]

Real nice looking knife. Great work on that handle and sheath.

[srtben]

Thanks again guys!