Help finalize the "Dixie Zipper" (Mini CBK) for a group buy

[mahonsr]

One thing I have learned form using my AGK knife is a larger handle does give you more blade length by joking down vs up - and usually those type of cuts I’m not doing tons of so the trade off in comfort of the grip style isn’t that big of a deal

 

[Davyalabama]

Did I miss something in the thread, I never saw how the final results carried out? I did read a couple good writeups from hereinaz and West18. Also, what is the blade material? If it was listed, I'm sorry, I just didn't see it.

I did see where the OP was considering a deeper blade for his finger, I can understand that. I can see getting the index finger behind the curve a little rather than out on the very tip as hereinaz shows in one of his pics. I like having control, but that seemed a lot. The knife for me would be for skinning and slicing meat, I have other tools and knives for the bones, etc. The blade with a little give, more like a filet knife would be my preference.

So how is the Dixie?

 

[hereinaz]

Did I miss something in the thread, I never saw how the final results carried out? I did read a couple good writeups from hereinaz and West18. Also, what is the blade material? If it was listed, I'm sorry, I just didn't see it.

I did see where the OP was considering a deeper blade for his finger, I can understand that. I can see getting the index finger behind the curve a little rather than out on the very tip as hereinaz shows in one of his pics. I like having control, but that seemed a lot. The knife for me would be for skinning and slicing meat, I have other tools and knives for the bones, etc. The blade with a little give, more like a filet knife would be my preference.

So how is the Dixie?

STATUS UPDATE

Sample knives are in the pass around stage to check out final design tweaks and help me figure out numbers of variations.

I am working with Dixie to get me a steel blank that is cut to outline shape and drilled with the handle on. When I get that it will go to my cad engineer to scan. Using that instead of the paper patterns I have for exactness.

I will then send the handles to get cut and ground and the blade to be cut, heat treated, and put on the primary bevel and polish.

Right now, feedback has me at this design for initial release. I will follow up over time with additional sizes of the Dixie Zipper and maybe other knife designs.

Blade will be 3.25” long.
Steel will be AEB-L. I anticipate heat treating to hardness at 60-62.
Blade will be on the thinner side, but not filet knife thin and not bushcraft thick.
Handle angle will be the variation Dixie and I worked out that has been handled by many at this point and winning by a large margin.
Handle will be G10.
Sheath will be a basic Kydex style.

Handle will be designed in different configurations for minor choice changes in overall length and thickness for hand size.

I anticipate it going out in the next 3 weeks or so to have blade and handles made.

 

[hereinaz]

Would you rather have a stone wash finish or a mirror polish?

 

[Steve O]

Would you rather have a stone wash finish or a mirror polish?

Whichever is less expensive.

 

[JohnB]

Nice work hereinaz. You're making progress! My vote would be stone wash but I could very easily default to the cheaper & easier option as the best.

 

[Smokey Bear]

Whichever is less expensive.

I completely agree. Function and comfort is the most important.

 

[hereinaz]

Stonewash is less.

There was a recent thread about a MKC knife that leaves the laser cut marks in the edges.

I have been back and forth on this, and think I am going to leave it on. First it will be less expensive and second I like the idea of a little grip rather than jimping.

If anyone wants it ground off, I’ll do a few and charge for it and see what people choose.

In the end, this is a working knife and not for show. I also won’t be charging for marketing like MKC or the awesome custom work being done.

 

[intunegp]

Stonewash is less.

There was a recent thread about a MKC knife that leaves the laser cut marks in the edges.

I have been back and forth on this, and think I am going to leave it on. First it will be less expensive and second I like the idea of a little grip rather than jimping.

If anyone wants it ground off, I’ll do a few and charge for it and see what people choose.

In the end, this is a working knife and not for show. I also won’t be charging for marketing like MKC or the awesome custom work being done.

Any consideration into having the blanks waterjet vs. lasered? It should leave a better/cleaner edge finish if the tangs aren't going to be touched other than stonewashing after the blank is cutout. I understand that it is "not for show" but it also kind of feels "not finished". I'm a machinist/knife nut so I may put more thought into this than most. It could also get weird with handle fit if you plan to machine the scales to a nominal size and then bolt them onto rough-edged tangs...little pinch points and such.

I get that you're not trying to be a premium custom knife maker or anything so maybe it's something that won't matter to the target demographic. Just always hard picking where to draw the line when you want people to feel they got a good value for their dollar. If it's all for function not for show, you could skip the finishing entirely and just leave the oxide layer from the heat treat furnace wherever it isn't ground off on the blade. When you say the handles will be sent to be cut and ground, are you saying they're going to get machined and then sanded to final shape? Why not machine them to finished?

Just some thoughts after catching up on the thread. Curios to see what the finished product looks like and if the price is right I may pick one up to check out eventually.

 

[hereinaz]

Any consideration into having the blanks waterjet vs. lasered? It should leave a better/cleaner edge finish if the tangs aren't going to be touched other than stonewashing after the blank is cutout. I understand that it is "not for show" but it also kind of feels "not finished". I'm a machinist/knife nut so I may put more thought into this than most. It could also get weird with handle fit if you plan to machine the scales to a nominal size and then bolt them onto rough-edged tangs...little pinch points and such.

I get that you're not trying to be a premium custom knife maker or anything so maybe it's something that won't matter to the target demographic. Just always hard picking where to draw the line when you want people to feel they got a good value for their dollar. If it's all for function not for show, you could skip the finishing entirely and just leave the oxide layer from the heat treat furnace wherever it isn't ground off on the blade. When you say the handles will be sent to be cut and ground, are you saying they're going to get machined and then sanded to final shape? Why not machine them to finished?

Just some thoughts after catching up on the thread. Curios to see what the finished product looks like and if the price is right I may pick one up to check out eventually.

I hear ya. I appreciate the thoughts and time you took.

I can’t get a knife until they run them, so it’s just educated speculation. The edge finishing is up in the air.

Yes, if it looks like junk, I will just finish the edge and handle at the same time.

The handle will be cut to shape and contured. If needed, it will be a small fraction to contour with the blade.

I could even make a “workman” finish and a “boss” finish and charge for the extra time and belts.

 

[Grundy53]

If it's not too late I would like to get in on the group buy.

Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk

 

[BigNate]

Where do I send my money?

 

[hereinaz]

Not too late, keep watching. Still a while to go.