Custom mini Canadian belt knife

[CypressCreek]

I like the top one better. More of a cbk look. The bottom just reminds me of a drop point skinner, no offense.

I'm in agreement. I tell ya, a traditional CBK has been the most difficult knife more me to design!! no idea why

 

[Jake Larsen]

I'm in agreement. I tell ya, a traditional CBK has been the most difficult knife more me to design!! no idea why

Just guessing here. But possibly partly because a properly designed one is ugly. Most people who do their own version make it look better, but remove the design elements that make it especially functional

You can always print off a photo of the original Grohman #1 and make a copy….assuming you don’t already have one in hand that is. Starting from the original tested/proven design might help you gain a deeper understanding of the design concept.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[RADunfee]

Just guessing here. But possibly partly because a properly designed one is ugly. Most people who do their own version make it look better, but remove the design elements that make it especially functional

You can always print off a photo of the original Grohman #1 and make a copy….assuming you don’t already have one in hand that is. Starting from the original tested/proven design might help you gain a deeper understanding of the design concept.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is a good point. And also probably why the cheapo Cold Steel cbk is so popular. They kept that design and it works. Mine is a kitchen queen but been looking for a nice custom one. I like the Knives of Alaska Yukon version but its D2. The ESEE version is decent but the ricasso takes up too much blade.

 

[Jake Larsen]

This is a good point. And also probably why the cheapo Cold Steel cbk is so popular. They kept that design and it works. Mine is a kitchen queen but been looking for a nice custom one. I like the Knives of Alaska Yukon version but its D2. The ESEE version is decent but the ricasso takes up too much blade.

I think I’m going to have essentially an exact copy of a Grohman #1 made out of thin Magnacut, maybe with slightly thinner scales and be done with it. At this point honestly don’t believe the overall design can be improved.

Which actually makes a lot of sense, considering how it was originally developed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ElPollo]

I am still working on an updated CBK design, one that includes the proper blade/handle angle. Here is a design I came up with today. What are your thoughts?

Top is the original CBK. Bottom is the new design. Looking at the photo, I think the handle could be angles up a little bit more.

View attachment 1027201

I’ll give some feedback on mine because I’ve carried it for two years now. I really like your original handle shape a lot. The thinner neck up front is wide enough for two fingers with the thumb on top. You can also use it with a pinch grip between your forefinger and thumb for slicing. The point on the underside fits nicely between my two middle fingers, and the flare at the butt end makes it really easy to pull out of the leather pocket sheath. The angle of the handle allows you to put your index finger on the spine of the blade for precise work. Raising it up might make that more difficult. I honestly wouldn’t change much about your handle design. The only change I would suggest is moving the point of the blade up a bit to get more slicey-ness that is common with the CBK designs. I know when we discussed this knife a couple years ago, you said you were going with a spear point for more EDC use. I like it, but a higher point would be more traditional and better for skinning. I’d also suggest making the knife slightly larger, like a 3.25 or 3.5” version. I think that is a sweet spot for a knife you can pocket carry and still do serious work with. It’s been a great knife for me. Those are minor changes that I think would make it better. The slightly larger knife with a higher point and more belly would probably fit what most of the guys here are looking for, a small, light, capable knife for dismantling critters.

 

[ElPollo]

I’ll give some feedback on mine because I’ve carried it for two years now. I really like your original handle shape a lot. The thinner neck up front is wide enough for two fingers with the thumb on top. You can also use it with a pinch grip between your forefinger and thumb for slicing. The point on the underside fits nicely between my two middle fingers, and the flare at the butt end makes it really easy to pull out of the leather pocket sheath. The angle of the handle allows you to put your index finger on the spine of the blade for precise work. Raising it up might make that more difficult. I honestly wouldn’t change much about your handle design. The only change I would suggest is moving the point of the blade up a bit to get more slicey-ness that is common with the CBK designs. I know when we discussed this knife a couple years ago, you said you were going with a spear point for more EDC use. I like it, but a higher point would be more traditional and better for skinning. I’d also suggest making the knife slightly larger, like a 3.25 or 3.5” version. I think that is a sweet spot for a knife you can pocket carry and still do serious work with. It’s been a great knife for me. Those are minor changes that I think would make it better. The slightly larger knife with a higher point and more belly would probably fit what most of the guys here are looking for, a small, light, capable knife for dismantling critters.

BTW, the knife is dirty and the hand is chewed up by puppies.

 

[SDHNTR]

To me, the ideal CBK is improved upon by…

See SlalomNorth’s post above.

 

[CypressCreek]

I’ll give some feedback on mine because I’ve carried it for two years now. I really like your original handle shape a lot. The thinner neck up front is wide enough for two fingers with the thumb on top. You can also use it with a pinch grip between your forefinger and thumb for slicing. The point on the underside fits nicely between my two middle fingers, and the flare at the butt end makes it really easy to pull out of the leather pocket sheath. The angle of the handle allows you to put your index finger on the spine of the blade for precise work. Raising it up might make that more difficult. I honestly wouldn’t change much about your handle design. The only change I would suggest is moving the point of the blade up a bit to get more slicey-ness that is common with the CBK designs. I know when we discussed this knife a couple years ago, you said you were going with a spear point for more EDC use. I like it, but a higher point would be more traditional and better for skinning. I’d also suggest making the knife slightly larger, like a 3.25 or 3.5” version. I think that is a sweet spot for a knife you can pocket carry and still do serious work with. It’s been a great knife for me. Those are minor changes that I think would make it better. The slightly larger knife with a higher point and more belly would probably fit what most of the guys here are looking for, a small, light, capable knife for dismantling critters.

That is some awesome feedback!! You probably have more pocket time with that CBK than anyone who has purchased one from me.

I have been wanting to make a slightly larger version. Maybe I'll toss the design into CAD and blow it up a bit while raising the tip.

I love a dirty knife!

 

[Slalomnorth]

Lots of talk of proportions in this thread. Some food for thought I might add is this. You can have two knives that have the same belly line, tip height, blade/handle relationship but aesthetically look completely different (if that makes sense). It can trip people up because they think it is different when in use it is essentially the same knife. On the bottom is my original belt knife shape, and on top is the newer one. Same belly line, same tip height, same blade/handle relationship. Just a different look and slimmed down

 

[RADunfee]

Lots of talk of proportions in this thread. Some food for thought I might add is this. You can have two knives that have the same belly line, tip height, blade/handle relationship but aesthetically look completely different (if that makes sense). It can trip people up because they think it is different when in use it is essentially the same knife. On the bottom is my original belt knife shape, and on top is the newer one. Same belly line, same tip height, same blade/handle relationship. Just a different look and slimmed down

View attachment 1027704

Not full tang?

 

[Trogon]

I am still working on an updated CBK design, one that includes the proper blade/handle angle. Here is a design I came up with today. What are your thoughts?

Top is the original CBK. Bottom is the new design. Looking at the photo, I think the handle could be angles up a little bit more.

View attachment 1027201

Bottom one reminds me of a Crotts semi-skinner. Im sure it will be a great all around pattern for many folks.

 

[SDHNTR]

Lots of talk of proportions in this thread. Some food for thought I might add is this. You can have two knives that have the same belly line, tip height, blade/handle relationship but aesthetically look completely different (if that makes sense). It can trip people up because they think it is different when in use it is essentially the same knife. On the bottom is my original belt knife shape, and on top is the newer one. Same belly line, same tip height, same blade/handle relationship. Just a different look and slimmed down

View attachment 1027704

Man it took me several looks to see that there are two blades there!

 

[Slalomnorth]

Not full tang?

I do a lot of partial tangs. They are lighter/better balanced and plenty strong with modern day epoxies and handle materials

 

[Slalomnorth]

A good photo of my new belt knife pattern (2 on the left) and my older version (2 on the right)

 

[RADunfee]

 

[ElPollo]

Thanks for that one. Very enlightening.

 

[Thegman]

I'm in agreement. I tell ya, a traditional CBK has been the most difficult knife more me to design!! no idea why

I've made a bunch of them, and found the same. In my case, I think it was that I was trying to improve the design. I eventually came to the conclusion that the design was just difficult to improve upon. At this point, all I can see to change is a slightly larger handle, like the Cold Steel or R. Murphy, and a thin, flat ground blade of pretty much any decent steel.

 

[Thegman]

I am still working on an updated CBK design, one that includes the proper blade/handle angle. Here is a design I came up with today. What are your thoughts?

Top is the original CBK. Bottom is the new design. Looking at the photo, I think the handle could be angles up a little bit more.

View attachment 1027201

They both look good. Have made some similar to both, but after straying from the basic design too much, I think the top one, with a little more upward angle in the handle would probably be really good. It's kind of what I've been thinking of; the original blade shape with a slightly larger handle. I'd like to try one like that.

 

[Sns2]

Honestly guys, 20 pages into this thread and no one has bought a $100 Grohmann and just copied it exactly. Sometimes it doesn’t pay to try and build a better mouse trap. Just saying.

 

[Obsessed1]

Honestly guys, 20 pages into this thread and no one has bought a $100 Grohmann and just copied it exactly. Sometimes it doesn’t pay to try and build a better mouse trap. Just saying.

I have never been satisfied with edge retention on either of the grohmans I have had. The KOA yukon was very good for edge retention but the grind was much thicker than I like.. a perfect copy of grohman in better steel with a full flat or hollow ground would be perfect.