![]() ![]() Splitting the difference gave me a blade length of 3 7/8 inches and I was comfortable with that size. A blade that stretched 4 inches seemed a bit too long, but a similarly shaped blade at 3 3/4 inches was too short. Years ago, I settled on a length of 3 7/8 inches as the ideal size for a hunting knife blade. With experience he or she will fi nd a unique style. The new knifemaker should try different styles, shapes and sizes when starting out in this field. Don’t do things that disrupt the flowing lines of the knife. Perhaps the best thing I can teach about design is to consider the flow of the lines that define a knife’s shape. Today, there isn’t much of an excuse for making ugly knives. #CAN YOU SHOOT CRACK WITH TANG FULL#He or she typically has access to books and magazines full of good knife designs to study and analyze. A maker starting out today has some advantages. It just isn’t possible to get everything right the first time. ![]() The knife models I’ve developed to date are good designs because they evolved. The result was a blade that wasn’t practical and a handle that was too short. I had built myself a grinder, and the thrill of shaping steel drove my activity. There was no thought as to knife proportions or design principles. ![]() I grabbed the only suitable knifemaking material I could find and went to work grinding on it. When I got started in knifemaking, I didn’t have one clear thought about design. It’s been said that good designs evolve, and I believe it. There are no square corners-everything is rounded, smooth and friendly. To me, “old school” is riveting together the handle and blade tang, giving the knife a unique personality by hand finishing all the parts. I don’t work with titanium or drill and tap a lot of holes in order to put knives together with screws. That’s because I never learned CAD (Computer Aided Design) or CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing). I’m what you would call an old-school knifemaker. If the simple method is not for you, it won’t hurt my feelings-just grab your checkbook and credit cards and head for town. That’s the kind of thing that lets you ease into knifemaking without spending a lot of money. I recommend the first knives be made with simple and even makeshift tools. I have some strong opinions about how a new knifemaker should get started. The great inventor Thomas Edison wrote, “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” Once I get started, it becomes a matter of problem solving and never giving up. I’ve often said the hardest part of the most difficult project I ever completed was getting past the decision to get started. My experience has taught me that there’s nothing like digging in and getting started. By Wayne Goddard Keep reading and learning in the author’s classic “$50 Knife Shop” book. ![]()
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