The Ultimate Irish Hunting Knife

bhanuprakash

hi
its wonderful

davymoore

Yes, Sat 22nd only

Was playing around with this idea

It's probably close to actual size

brieny1000

ya ,looks good

lordarpad

Maybe, I don't know yet.

hmm, I'd like a rather pronounced finger guard - that really is the make of break for me I think. preferably also a straight back. Would these be questions for a poll?

davymoore

Yes, Sat 22nd only

I might be wrong........ but I think we are far from a poll on this part of the build. ...Blade profile [shape]... will be .. I think one of the hardest parts to decide on and it needs to be well thought out.

Fixed or Folder, Full or Hidden ,that was childs play, compared to what's ahead and you've collectively contributed over 200 posts and almost 4,000 views so far.

If you really want to design a knife then it's time to get serious.

Start sketching and start posting or you are wasting my time, your time, and bandwidth to boot.

Regards

Davy

davymoore

Yes, Sat 22nd only

Lordarpad

I dont mean to diminish in anyway what you were suggesting about polls on various aspects of the shape [ie straight back etc.] but in fairness guys if we don't have any basic design suggestions coming through then it's hardly worth the effort. Mellor, JW, DB, Grizzly and yourself of course have submitted ideas. But what about everyone else ? and whats RIGHT rather than wrong with the designs so far ?

BTW Full tang Wins

davymoore

Yes, Sat 22nd only

brieny1000 wrote: »

ya ,looks good

Chances of this post being considered valid and winning the knife "0"

riflehunter77

Maybe, I don't know yet.

Davey the above idea you are playing about with, I like the shape as for the length its a little bit long for my likeing.I would prefer the blade to be about 1/2 to 3/4 inch smaller.Would have to 2nd Lordarpad in relation to the trigger guard. Here a two similar tradational knives iv come across from around the globe that are a bit similar to your desgin. One is from Argentina and one from Russia, I would be a fan of the Boker with the stag handel from argentina.

Mellor

Maybe, I don't know yet.

I like the boker above, similar drop point to Davys above and the sketch I did earlier,
The shape will take alot of messing with, but wait til we get to the handle :D

riflehunter77

Maybe, I don't know yet.

Mellor wrote: »

I like the boker above, similar drop point to Davys above and the sketch I did earlier,
The shape will take alot of messing with, but wait til we get to the handle :D

Thinking along these lines for the handle or maybe a bone from a basking shark seen as they been on our shores for centuries. Might get a few rasied eye brows with the basking shark idea

jwshooter

for a one off knife you could use a bone from a irish elk :cool:or bone from your grandmother for a handle ,but for a knife to go into production it has to be a easy sourced material.

lordarpad

Maybe, I don't know yet.

jwshooter wrote: »

for a one off knife you could use a bone from a irish elk :cool:or bone from your grandmother for a handle ,but for a knife to go into production it has to be a easy sourced material.

I really think the holly idea is a winner there

brieny1000

davymoore wrote: »

Chances of this post being considered valid and winning the knife "0"

i didnt post to join competition. i saw that poll was closed so thought that side was over.. i was only giving my opinion on d design u put up!!!!

riflehunter77

Maybe, I don't know yet.

jwshooter wrote: »

for a one off knife you could use a bone from a irish elk :cool:or bone from your grandmother for a handle ,but for a knife to go into production it has to be a easy sourced material.

Fair point about finding material that is easy sourced, to be honest im not sure if sheep or goat horn would be strong enough for the handle. But I would like to see somthing like it incorporated into handle. Nice bit of timber,bit sheep/goat horn and why not a bit of basking shark all made into a fine handle it would certinaly be unique. Would be a little different than deer anthler which seems to be used all around the world.
As for this knife going into production this is unique project for davey and as he says on his website he can only make one knife at a time.

macadam

Yes, Sun 23rd only

I agree with riflehunter, maybe a wooden handle like ash/oak tipped at the end with goat horn .

Have to say i find this thread really interseting, with everyone's opinion and different ideas , somehow I think davy has it all sorted .

Keep her going ....

Heres one tipped with buffalo horn , just bought it recently handmade by gary mills

davymoore

Yes, Sat 22nd only

macadam wrote: »

somehow I think davy has it all sorted

I wish ...

Ok I think blade profile is proving to be a bit of a speed bump at this stage so let's hold off on that for a while. There are some really good ideas ot there though and a drop point or a clip point knife is looking favourable.

So lets talk blade length what's the preference.

It should be long enough to dispatch and field dress but not so long as to become cumbersome or dangerous. Others have already discussed how butchering is usually done at home where other knives saws tools would be available.

If you can try to put both metric and imperial [mm/ins] and we will round off 25mm as 1" and 12mm as 1/2" hope this makes sense.

For example I'd like a 3 1/2" or 87mm Blade length

I 'll try to contact a Mod to do another Poll over the weekend.

Davy

davymoore

Yes, Sat 22nd only

Fixed blade 38, Folding Knife 12 Fixed Blade Wins
Full Tang 25, Hidden Tang 8 Full Tang Wins

Mellor

Maybe, I don't know yet.

So if we get new option for a pol, what are we looking at,

3"/75mm
3.5"/87mm
4"/100mm
4.5"/112mm
5"125mm

Should cover everyone,

davymoore

Yes, Sat 22nd only

That's the basic idea with a few more options either side.
Hopefully will be up soon and I have asked that it be ended within 3 days as I think that's plenty of time.

davymoore

Yes, Sat 22nd only

I suppose it's woth remembering that while blade length is not currently a legal issue it just might become one in the future.

IRLConor

There's a new poll up now. Let me know if any of ye have trouble voting.

Offy

IRLConor wrote: »

There's a new poll up now. Let me know if any of ye have trouble voting.

The poll works fine, thanks IRLConor. The blade length should be easy enough to decide on. Most hunting knives I have owned are/were between four and six inches. For me the six inch blades are too long, Im not skilled enough with knives to be able to use a long blade without making a mess of things. What's I think is important to consider is the ratio of lenght to width. The ratio has to be just right for the knive to feel confortable when using. For a six inch blade Id buy nothing thicker than about 4mm and for a three inch knife I'd look for about 2mm. That just the range I feel comfortable using.

bunny shooter

No

I have been using a 6" blade but it is too long and now I am getting a 3.5" blade as it will be better suited to what I want, which is bunnies as my name suggests

davymoore

Yes, Sat 22nd only

IRLConor wrote: »

There's a new poll up now. Let me know if any of ye have trouble voting.

Thanks for your help once again sir.

Davy

davymoore

Yes, Sat 22nd only

What's your favourite from these 6 options and why?

IRLConor

davymoore wrote: »

Thanks for your help once again sir.

You're welcome, and no need to call me sir.

Unless I'm dressed like this.

macadam

Yes, Sun 23rd only

Blade choice would be C 112mm max and blade thickness 3mm max thats what I would like and as BS said it would only be used on bunnies

Offy

I like the look of both B and F.

jwshooter

not really gone on any of them C is the best out of a bad lot.

davymoore

Yes, Sat 22nd only

Ok but lets say, If these 6 were the only choices in the world, you have to choose one.

Which one would it be and WHY that choice


I'm not saying that we are going to end up with any of the above. I am trying a different way of aproaching the blade style subject.
There will be other blade styles over the next few days but at the moment concentrate ONLY on this 6

jwshooter

where is every one going with blades more than 100mm .we dont live in texas

J.R.

Maybe, I don't know yet.

Knife A would be my choice - I always like the Bowie Knife look!

Offy

I'd pick B or F davy because of two things. Firstly I like the shape of the cutting edge on these blades. Secondly I like the choil on A, B and F, with the sharp edge ending without a shoulder as is the case on these blades I find it easier to sharpen them.

davymoore

Yes, Sat 22nd only

jwshooter wrote: »

we dont live in texas

Classic, well said, but there are still a fair few cowboys about

jwshooter

i have seen your work on your wed site and to be honest i like your designs.
but to like a gun or knife you have to fondle it to love it .
i know what i like and i like what i know .
90mm is a lovely length 2 mm wide max ,going to a sharp point .
if you know **** all about knife lads, dont mess this about as time money blood is involved and thats only davys.

riflehunter77

Maybe, I don't know yet.

C for me like the shape and width..


As for cowboys about more like johnny rambo and big arnie

davymoore

Yes, Sat 22nd only

Now I'm going to ramble on a bit so pay no real heed.....

So far ye seem to favour

A. Because of a preference to bowie styled blades
B&F because of the ricasso shape and ease of sharpening
C. Because JW wants to stab things (sorry mate)

As you will be aware the finished knife will have properties that should appeal to yourself but will also have to account for the tastes of others and will therefore no doubt lose some ground in certain aspects which appeal to you.

If I were building a knife for one individual this would be a much easier part of the proccess but trying to build for a group is like trying to herd spiders.

Having said that I think we are onto something already and if I'm correct this will be a righteous build.

I think what you guys want is a "Randall Knife" and why the hell not ! Randall Made Knives are among the hardest working and most sought after knives in the world some models can fetch up to $25,000 at auction just to be left sitting in a drawer and drooled over. There are even songs about them

If I could buy just one knife it would be a Randall Denmark Special but I probably couldn't justify the money (about a grand) because I would take it to the field and abuse the hell out of it that's just me. I've thought about doing a Randall Style build before but never did.

If I'm right here though, then we could have a knife just as stylish which incorporates every feature you have spoken about but at a fraction of the cost.

I'll post a few pics in a later post.

Of course you might hate the sight of them and then I'm just rambling ... Oh dear time to shut up now

davymoore

Yes, Sat 22nd only

Randall Outdoorsman Knives




Randall Hunters




Randall Skinners



Photo 1- Model H and Photo 2- Models A or B really float my boat.

Oh! and if you are thinking of ordering one of these direct, heres a quote from the Randall website.

*****Important--Please Read Before Ordering****** Current order deliveries are being scheduled for delivery in 58 MONTHS, year 2014. Randall order limit is a single knife every three months per household. Effective November 1, 2007

That's a five year waiting list. I suppose that's why they make so much money in auction.

See Here

Or Here

Or if you're really nuts

jwshooter

you must be a millionaire davy ,just hope tax man does not read boards

Mellor

Maybe, I don't know yet.

Of the randel knives above, photo 2 knife A does it for me,

Just a question on blade length, will the length be decided by the single most votes, or an average of the top 2/3 choices.
for example, say 4.5" is top on 20 votes, and 3.5" and 4" each have 19.
The top answer is 4.5", but the weighted average would be just over 4", and this choice would be closer to the length wanted by most people

JG97

Davy it's JohnnyG here from ehh..well you know where....;)


What a fantastic effort you are putting into this....(everyone else too of course)....You are doing Irish Knifemakers and Craftsmen in general proud....not to mention youself and your good name....superb idea here and i am 100 % behind you in everyway i can....


I'm sure everyone here who has had and input in this thread has checked out Davy's work....(if you haven't them please do). You couldn't have a better man heading up this project folks....I myself am a "nobody" in the knife world but I do know Davy and I do know his work....He is a very talented and generous man....


Finally if i may say i am very impressed with the leval of interest in this project. The suggestions and feedback are excellent....well done to everyone and keep it up....


Davy, my friend, your wife may be right but i don't think you were going to be talked out of it....:D


Yours sincerly,

JohnnyG.....


(first post here so hope all ok *holds breath and press submit* )

davymoore

Yes, Sat 22nd only

JG97 wrote: »

I myself am a "nobody" in the knife world but I do know Davy and I do know his work....He is a very talented and generous man....

Flattery will get you everywhere Johnny.
Great to have you on board.


And as for being a "nobody" I can tell you guys that Johnny is a very knowledgable man about knives and knife craft it will be great to have his input.


Davy

davymoore

Yes, Sat 22nd only

Mellor wrote: »

Just a question on blade length, will the length be decided by the single most votes, or an average of the top 2/3 choices.
for example, say 4.5" is top on 20 votes, and 3.5" and 4" each have 19.
The top answer is 4.5", but the weighted average would be just over 4", and this choice would be closer to the length wanted by most people

I believe the weighted average would be the correct way to proceed as the winning vote [choice 1] would possibly be too far removed from choice number 2 to reflect an over all balance. especially if the voting is as close as it currently looks.

example

20 votes for 3"
5 votes for 4"
21 votes for 5"

Project length will be 4"

Davy

Offy

I found this on the internet last night, change the rear quillion to a flat and I think it would make a great hunting knife.

Taken from www.jayfisher.com

Grizzly 45

Of the three Davvy supplied blades A C or F does it for me.
Of the Randal designs E in the outsdoor man selection or A and B in the skinner selection,especially the leather washer grips. I suppose the cheaper version would be the SOG MACV Vietnam commeration knife.:)

Anyways,I have a nice Irish Fallow deer antler that has a nice angle to it in the stock for a grip,and an inbuilt choil in the eye tine .It is over 40 years old and well preserved and am willing to donate this to the project if Davvy wants it and we decide to go with stag horn for grip material.

davymoore

Yes, Sat 22nd only

Generous offer thankyou and if we do get to that point then I'll be sure to give you a shout. As for the leather grips I'm afraid that we can't as we are going Full Tang



If you guys had to choose a GROUP from the Randalls

would it be

• The Outdoorsman Group
• The Hunters Group
• The Skinners Group

Remember that the knife has to be an allrounder and has to suit everyone not just the deer hunting boys & girls.

Mellor

Maybe, I don't know yet.

davymoore wrote: »

• The Outdoorsman Group
• The Hunters Group
• The Skinners Group

The hunters group for me

Double Barrel

Maybe, I don't know yet.

Davy,

Of the Randall's, Hunters B & C for shape .
I carry a Beretta 3 blade locking folder mostly when stalking, a 3" pointy blade, saw & a gralloching blade.

Davy, if you can design a fixed blade to fit all the needs of an experienced deer hunter you will be the first.

Many have tried: Puma Waidmesser :
[IMG][/img]

mallards

Yes, Sun 23rd only

Hi Davy,

Off the outdoors mans knives I prefer H. The knife looks more balanced when compared to its handle than the rest. The point tapers fine enough to carry out delicate work like skinning or cutting in a tight place. The rest of the blade looks more substantial, that it could take a bit of punishment for general cutting and of course the overall blade is easy to sharpen. Although it doesn't look uniquely Irish yet I would be happy if that’s what popped out at the end of this.

All the best,

Mallards

riflehunter77

Maybe, I don't know yet.

If you guys had to choose a GROUP from the Randalls

would it be

• The Outdoorsman Group
• The Hunters Group
• The Skinners Group

Remember that the knife has to be an allrounder and has to suit everyone not just the deer hunting boys & girls.[/quote]


The Hunters group for me but with shorter blade 3.5 to 4 inch max