Custom mini Canadian belt knife

[CypressCreek]

It looks really nice. If it were me, I would push the point up a smidge higher to get more radius on the belly. I think the secret sauce of the CBK Is the relationship between the handle angle, the point being slightly above center, and the radiused edge.

So something more like this?
V2


Original

 

[Slalomnorth]

So something more like this?
V2
View attachment 819910

Original
View attachment 819911

Bottom one for me

 

[ElPollo]

So something more like this?
V2
View attachment 819910

Original
View attachment 819911

It’s a subtle difference, but I think the top one will be better at taking critters apart.

 

[Dixie]

So something more like this?
V2
View attachment 819910

Original
View attachment 819911

Top one for me.

 

[The Ri Guy]

Just saw this last night: https://sthealthyhunter.com/product/sthealthy-hunter-knife/

 

[BBob]

Just saw this last night: https://sthealthyhunter.com/product/sthealthy-hunter-knife/

NOPE

 

[sierracharlie338]

I'm using Solidworks. And this is a 3D print. I may start on a real blank this weekend

You like Solidworks? I used to use draftsight until they started charging for it.

 

[CypressCreek]

How much does blade height matter to you guys? Do you like a narrower blade from spine to edge, or do you like a more exaggerated leaf shape?

 

[hereinaz]

It looks really nice. If it were me, I would push the point up a smidge higher to get more radius on the belly. I think the secret sauce of the CBK Is the relationship between the handle angle, the point being slightly above center, and the radiused edge.

I agree with this assessment, for my personal/subjective preferences of the CBK. After using the knife @Dixie sent me, the extremes/exaggerations of the CBK design works for me. My first priority would be to move the point up to get more radius to the belly. The back could be straightened a little more to gain it if needed. Handle angle is the second.

@CypressCreek that pic does show more than I expected. @Slalomnorth was right.

Nearly every time I talk with someone about the design, they invariably say "that's not how I use a knife, I choke up and pinch it" I think the way the knife gets held is largely a function of the shape of the traditional knife to get the curve into the action.

Its not that I don't choke up, I do. And, I did it quite a bit with my Outdoor Edge. But, using Dixie's knife I made a conscious effort NOT to choke up. It was a little weird at first, but by the end I was comfortable holding the handle for the work and could always find part of the blade for the task. It made a measurable difference for skinning. I don't feel like I had to move my hand around.

I suppose it is "muscle memory" that we gravitate to certain designs, and all of the exaggerations of the CBK style aren't necessary. Its not like the traditional handle shapes/angles aren't proven.

I think @CypressCreek design is very good as it balances the traditional way knives are held/used by bringing in the benefits without the exaggerations. I'm sure the less exaggerated versions are improvements over the typical hunting knife design.

 

[CypressCreek]

You like Solidworks? I used to use draftsight until they started charging for it.

I just started using it but I like it so far. I'm a complete beginner when it comes to CAD, solidworks seems more intuitive than fusion, so there's that.

There is a subscription fee I paid $24 for the year, but that was with their 50% off code. I would pay the full $48 though

 

[sierracharlie338]

How much does blade height matter to you guys? Do you like a narrower blade from spine to edge, or do you like a more exaggerated leaf shape?

Strictly speaking on a game processing viewpoint I prefer something narrower compared to a nessmuk or leaf shape type blade but that is all relative to blade height. I’ve found for me personally 1.5inch or bigger is just too much for backstraps or tight spaces. I can measure a couple blades tonight and see if I could toss out a more concrete number for reference to my post.

 

[CypressCreek]

I agree with this assessment, for my personal/subjective preferences of the CBK. After using the knife @Dixie sent me, the extremes/exaggerations of the CBK design works for me. My first priority would be to move the point up to get more radius to the belly. The back could be straightened a little more to gain it if needed. Handle angle is the second.

@CypressCreek that pic does show more than I expected. @Slalomnorth was right.

Nearly every time I talk with someone about the design, they invariably say "that's not how I use a knife, I choke up and pinch it" I think the way the knife gets held is largely a function of the shape of the traditional knife to get the curve into the action.

Its not that I don't choke up, I do. And, I did it quite a bit with my Outdoor Edge. But, using Dixie's knife I made a conscious effort NOT to choke up. It was a little weird at first, but by the end I was comfortable holding the handle for the work and could always find part of the blade for the task. It made a measurable difference for skinning. I don't feel like I had to move my hand around.

I suppose it is "muscle memory" that we gravitate to certain designs, and all of the exaggerations of the CBK style aren't necessary. Its not like the traditional handle shapes/angles aren't proven.

I think @CypressCreek design is very good as it balances the traditional way knives are held/used by bringing in the benefits without the exaggerations. I'm sure the less exaggerated versions are improvements over the typical hunting knife design.

I choke up on my knife all the time. when I'm gutting, skinning, or quartering, my index finger is on the spine (usually protecting the tip from puncturing anything). I think the way I use a knife greatly iinfluences the way I design knives. That's why I'm struggling to nail the CBK design lol.

All this talk about belly really makes me curious about the ulu as a skinning blade.

 

[CypressCreek]

Strictly speaking on a game processing viewpoint I prefer something narrower compared to a nessmuk or leaf shape type blade but that is all relative to blade height. I’ve found for me personally 1.5inch or bigger is just too much for backstraps or tight spaces. I can measure a couple blades tonight and see if I could toss out a more concrete number for reference to my post.

I like a narrow blade height as well. In general I try to keep my blades under 1" tall, or at least my "hunting" knives.

 

[hereinaz]

How much does blade height matter to you guys? Do you like a narrower blade from spine to edge, or do you like a more exaggerated leaf shape?

For me, blade height is a result, not a primary choice. It's just that to get more radius and sweep of the belly it adds height and the leaf shape.

The longer blade of the CBK it isn't as high as what @Dixie came up with shortening the blade and then pushing the handle up so there was a blade guard.

With @Dixie design, if I prioritized less height then I would reduce the fingerguard, because that pushes the handle back. The CBK doesn't really have a fingerguard, so the leaf shape is longer/narrower.

For me, the jury is out on whether the blade I used was too tall. I haven't really used it inside an elk/deer to pull tenderloins and backstrap. Or, to reach in and cut things "blind" with my pointer finger on the back edge up by the point. Those are the only circumstances I can see height interfering.

To reduce the height, the fingerguard indention is a place to start. I don't know that I need a big fingerguard step from the blade to the handle, but I do like something that I can index off of and know where my finger is. When processing an animal, there really isn't a lot of "stabbing" motion that requires anything significant.

 

[BBob]

I just started using it but I like it so far. I'm a complete beginner when it comes to CAD, solidworks seems more intuitive than fusion, so there's that.

There is a subscription fee I paid $24 for the year, but that was with their 50% off code. I would pay the full $48 though

Half off the $48 ($24) deal ends today.

 

[hereinaz]

I choke up on my knife all the time. when I'm gutting, skinning, or quartering, my index finger is on the spine (usually protecting the tip from puncturing anything). I think the way I use a knife greatly iinfluences the way I design knives. That's why I'm struggling to nail the CBK design lol.

All this talk about belly really makes me curious about the ulu as a skinning blade.Y

Agree, its a form/function question.

The relevant query is:

With the CBK design would I need to choke up as much during the skinning/quartering portion of the job?

I didn't ever come close to the knife point while skinning, because the generous belly/handle angle meant I wasn't forced to use the curve near the tip.

Gripping the handle, I could easily manipulate the knife and always stay on the belly/curve. All the exaggerated elements meant that the tip was out of the way. The new MKC skinner is even more exaggerated with the point out of the way, almost to be unusable as a knife point.

I still choke up just like you with the finger on the spine when its needed.

 

[CypressCreek]

Agree, its a form/function question.

The relevant query is:

With the CBK design would I need to choke up as much during the skinning/quartering portion of the job?

I didn't ever come close to the knife point while skinning, because the generous belly/handle angle meant I wasn't forced to use the curve near the tip.

Gripping the handle, I could easily manipulate the knife and always stay on the belly/curve. All the exaggerated elements meant that the tip was out of the way. The new MKC skinner is even more exaggerated with the point out of the way, almost to be unusable as a knife point.

I still choke up just like you with the finger on the spine when its needed.

Would you use that knife for general knife tasks, or is it a knife specific to game processing? If it is strictly a game knife, more belly = better, but if you are using it for other tasks as well, I would think that too much belly would be a hinderance. What are your thoughts?

 

[Trogon]

NOPE
View attachment 819947

That is a hideous knife. Looks like it was made in a high school vocational class

 

[CypressCreek]

That is a hideous knife. Looks like it was made in a high school vocational class

The pricepoint is what scares me..

 

[Dixie]

NOPE
View attachment 819947

Left too much belt hanging over the edge of the platen and the huge ricasso is a no for me also.
Sometimes I’m too critical even of my own work but that grind job needs a little touch up.