design a knife to be sold here!

[Bossman]

I just had this crazy idea,many of you have complimented me on the titanium neck knife I posted a pic of and a few people have asked me when I`ll be selling more of my knives.
Soon!
What I was thinking was......
tell me what you think is a good knife,blade length,blade shape,handle material,steel type,blade finish,sheath material and features.......you make the call,if we can come up with something do-able,I`ll make it and offer it for sale on here to members only.
Lets try to keep the price under $100
Let me list my limitations first.
I have a grizzly grinder which has an 8" contact wheel,I have adapted it to use a 2" wheel and I have an arbor with abrasive sleeves to cut tight radiuses but nothing tighter than 3/4" so lets try our best to stay away from lots of curvy stuff-please no "fantasy knives"YUK!
Steel-I have used 1084,1095,O-1,w-2 and 5160 I have a simple gas forge so heat treating the common tool steels is not a problem,I have oil quenched 440c stainless with success but I really dont like to heat treat it that way because it`s so difficult to get it just right.
I would suggest 1095 or O-1-good steels that I can heat treat and the price is right.
The high tech stainless steels and exotic tool steel alloys that require a professional heat treat are not out of the question but I would have to send the blade out for the treat and that would add significantly to the cost-remember we want to keep it below $100
Blade finish-believe it or not I have had great success using duplicolor exhaust paint baked on a sandblasted surface,I`ve never had a complaint and it sure is a hell of a lot cheaper than the $25 a can guncote that brownells sells.I was looking in the new midway catalog and I saw some kits that have a 2 part spray on camo finish,$25 for a particular camo scheme,I might just buy a set to see if it`s all that.I have an airbrush and compressor so a camo scheme on the blade is a possibility.
I can do a japanese clay temper with a visible wavy temperline if the traditional tanto interests you,but the blade will be unfinished and subject to rust if not cared for meticulously.
Handle,you name it,I can do a mean paracord wrap,strider style or simple 1 layer,I like micarta and G-10 is nice,trpoical hardwoods are an option as well,you name the species and I`ll see if I can nab some.
Sheath-I love kydex and can do it right,I also like leather and have all the tools to do that if the majority of you demand.
I like doing chisel ground tantos and have gotten quite good at that grind but a double sided fighter or utility is well within my ability as well.
So lets hear it,what do you want to see for sale?
feel free to post your opinions/desires.After we finalise a design I`ll order the materials,build the knife and it will be offered for sale on this board-please dont e-mail me with offers before hand,when it`s done I`ll post a heads up here the day before it goes up,with an approximate time of final posting to within 2 hours,when it`s posted the first one to reply "SOLD" to the post gets it.
Sound like fun?
Bossman

[azreloader]

Cool idea. I'll play. I'm in favor of a fixed blade, cord wrapped tactical blade of some type.:up:

[gi_janearng]

Awesome! :up:

[hardcorps1775]

cool idea!

i think stainless steel is shit. i'd like to see a blade like a high carbon tool steel, 4-10 inches in length, at a MINIMUM one quarter inch thick spine, full tang.

you know, since this is ak.nutz, how about a knife that looks like an ak bayonet? but with some improvements?

we could either keep the blade the same length so it would fit the standard ak sheath or go with it's own plastic sheath. we could convert the butt into a solid chunk of steel to be used as a skull crusher or make it flat to use as a hammer. keep the guard the same length but lose the muzzle loop. i guess we'd also have to flip it over so the strap retention hook is on the bottom instead of the top plus slightly reconfigure the handle and move the lanyard hole...maybe move the sawteeth to the bottom and cut the number in half?

waddaya think?

http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/1394Bayonet-Modele_1974-2a.jpg

[hardcorps1775]

can you engrave? maybe "official knife of ak.nutz" "created by bossman"!!!:D w00t!!!

[hardcorps1775]

hey, i was thinking of a limited run, not a one-off...i just read through your whole post again and pondered it and realized you were talking about a single blade.

would you be interested in a run?

[second amendment]

Hey bossman
I got two of your blades off of assaultweb, you do nice work!

[INDYSAR1]

Bossman How about the neck knive you had pictured in the other thread in buyers choice of camo? Or have it engraved with an image of an Ak?

I would be interested in one or two.

[ponder]

Okay here i go. 7" flat ground clip point blade, O-1 steel, 5" G-10 handle(for those guys with big hands), maybe try that new spray on camo that you were talking about for the blade finish. It should have a full tang with a bit of the tang protruding out the back for hammering. Kydex for the sheath. I wish you the best of luck in making your knives, and hope that one day you can turn this into a full time job.:)

[azreloader]

Bossman,

If you can only realisticaly make 1 knife to sell on the forum, why don't you decide what you need to get for the knife, and hold an auction...leave it open to bids for 1 week and donate anything you get above your "reserve" to the website general fund!

Just a thought. Could be fun!:woot

[azreloader]

You might even get "Gold Contributor" status!

[Bossman]

Very good ideas.Keep `em coming!
Since I have a full time job and I like to spend my free time with my family I would like to keep this to just one blade this time.
I would need to ask the Administration of this board to put the websites name on the blade,I might do that if your opinion dictates.
The idea of making a knife similar to an AK bayonet is very interesting.
So far concensus seems to be that we want a fixed blade,medium to slightly large in size,lets start getting specific.
first lets vote for blade length....sound off for 4,5 or 6 inches.
I`ll start the vote with my choice of 4"-it will do damn near anything a 5 or 6 inch blade will but it is much more compact and concealable.
Bossman

[INDYSAR1]

I vote for 4" . I also vote for a camo cord wrapped handle.

[RedDevil]

I vote for a 4" spear point or clip point blade. Thin G-10 handles or para-cord wrapped. Subdued blade. Something one could carry as an EDC self-defense knife.

[Bossman]

4" seems to be the winner here,unless more votes come in to change it we`ll go with 4 for now,para cord is getting some mention,how about some more votes?
Please dont hesitate to vote even if you are not interested in buying the knife,all opinions matter.
So far it`s looking like a 4"tactical/utility blade with para cord handle,more suggestions please......
Bossman

[hardcorps1775]

i like the micarta or resin handles. para cord looks cool and can come in handy, i guess, but it gets dirty real fast and kinda stinky. also, after you use that cord? forget about EVER getting it all wrapped up nice and purty like it was before...

plus, i'm still votin' for the ak length blade (5 3/4"). check out your bayonets guys! it's the perfect utilitarian length; long enough for stabbing and getting nice long cuts but short enough that it's not too unwieldly! it won't look like a sword or machete hanging off your belt or web gear...

[Rew]

I vote for a 6" O1 blade with a 2.5 inch sharpend concave false edge, The blade should be 1/4" thick behind the false edge 1.75 " wide with the belly sweeping to a point in line with the center line of the blade. Have a small steel double guard no less then 1/4" thick a full tang with black Micarta scales and a steel end cap/skull crusher. Kadex scabberd, with a para cord wrap on the bottom half. ;)

[Bossman]

Well so far it looks like paracord has lost out to micarta/G-10 and the blade length has been averaged to 5"
Does everyone seem happy with this?
Now lets vote on blade shape,chisel ground tanto,drop point fighter or spear point?......
Bossman

[HDR]

Bossman
You'll need to contact an owner about use of the site's name. I realize the group is just kicking the tires of an idea, but that also applies to sales here.

A paracord handle replica of a SEAL, or SOG Bowie, or K-bar style would be neat also.. An excellent design and hand crafted.

Just remember, around here, there's a lot of people. ;)

[hardcorps1775]

i love the tanto style blade but in this case, i'd like to see the ak style (bowie-style? drop point?)...

[Bossman]

well,how`s about something like this?
http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Jun/20046147829308817223067.jpg
http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Jun/20046142235306387804473.jpg
I modified a pic of this knife with adobe to see what our blade might look like,I changed the color of the micarta handle to give it a bakelite/russian red laminate look.I cant get micarta in this orange color but I can see if I can get some pakkawood that is similar,it would be laminate and look pretty cool.Or,I think I have a bakelite AK-74 mag in the shop somewhere,If I cut it up into strips and glued them together for thickness,we could have a real orange bakelite handle??whatcha think about that?
Maybe we could con xebec into providing a couple pieces of the baltic birch with the red glue layers and have him do his special majic to it to get the iodine red color??

I`m still open to suggestions so feel free to comment on any changes you might want to make.
Bossman

[Bossman]

http://www.texasknife.com/store/images/Dymond102-25.jpg
Heres the pic from texas knifemakers supply that shows the pakkawood/dymondwood(same thing) colors,I think the 3rd from the left on the bottom row would be nice,kinda looks russian red.
http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Jun/20046145005910723987405.jpg
Heres a fighter I made last year that has the maroon micarta handle,maybe something like this would do?or we could stick with the basic black micarta like the fighter in the picture I modified to show our AK knife?
This is your knife guys,I`m just trying to throw some ideas out so dont let me dictate,please have it your way.Also I havent ignored the idea of a skull crusher or hammer butt,both very good ideas,we can only have one or the other so lets decide if we want a hammer butt or a skull crusher.
Bossman

[ponder]

For some odd reason, i like the look of the red handle with the black blade. You should go with the bakelite handle.

[Rew]

Hammer butt;) I like the bowie type point, not to crazy about the red grips. It do need a guard.;)

[HDR]

A lot of knife fighters grind off the spine side guard and leave the blade side one. Just depends on a person's style.

Although some will cut another in a heartbeat, they got no style... :lol:

;) ;)

[hardcorps1775]

Originally posted by Rew
Hammer butt;) I like the bowie type point, not to crazy about the red grips. It do need a guard.;)
yeah! a big chunky butt like the ak bayo above with a lanyard hole in the top part but still solid enough to use as a hammer. can you extend the toe down a little to resemble the ak butt, too?

i like the red grips, looks kinda commie.

i think a straight guard, nothing fancy, then those so inclined can cut off the top part w/o too much trouble.

question, when you mount an ak bayo, it's edge up ("stab low and pull up"). would we wanna make the blade the same way??? or is that a little too weird...

like the bowie blade, maybe a little longer?

[Bossman]

http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Jun/20046228530013329413246.jpg
Hows about this?

[Guns Network Staff]

Longer BLADE!

How thick is the blade we are talking about?

Can we have Guns Network or GunsNet Serial #XXX etched on the blade?

[HDR]

http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Jun/20046145005910723987405.jpg

Beautifully evil looking..

[azreloader]

I love the look of that knife just the way it is!

[Bossman]

Admin,THANK YOU.Well I guess that gives me permission to use the boards name on the knife,we had discussed doing this in previous posts and I had intended to ask permission to do so in the final stages but I guess it`s a done deal now,so let it be written so let it be done.
I think the optimal stock to use on this type of knife would be 3/16" I could use 1/4" but it would make it much heavier and wouldnt add that much to it`s strength,also I will be edge quenching the blade which will harden the steel only at the edge and about 1/3rd of the way back to the spine leaving the top 2/3rds of the blade unhardened and less brittle,able to support the hard edge and protect against breakage to a large extent.
AZRELOADER,are you talking about the knife we designed or the fighter pictured just before it?
HDR,thanks for the compliment,thats a knife I built for my Captain(it`s not brown-nosing it`s called "networking")I charged him $150 for it with a kydex sheath,and he was thrilled.

I`m going to order the materials to build the knife probably this Saturday night so we need to get all suggestions and changes made before then.
Let me have it..........is it good to go now or do we need to modify?
Bossman

[azreloader]

I was refering to the picture on the previous page, but go with concensus on the one you are building for the Forum.

http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Jun/20046145005910723987405.jpg

Have you decided on a fixed price or did you like the bid idea?

[Guns Network Staff]

Bossman don't be so quick to say this is done as I have not heard anything about what the plans are and the pricing to the members of this website. You also need to keep me informed at every stage.

I am sending you a PM

Guns Network Staff

[recon]

Nice! I would like to see a double edge 4-6 inch 1095 steel with para cord or the plastic type on the handle that were on EK Commando knives? :cool:

[hardcorps1775]

Originally posted by Bossman
http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Jun/20046228530013329413246.jpg
Hows about this?

that is cool! i'd only recommend a full guard that can be cut down if so desired but that's only cuz i want something that looks as much like an ak bayo as possible! :D

are the grips going to be riveted or screwed on? i've always liked screws but it's not a biggie...how many rivets on the ak?

maybe make the back of the handle straighter?

[Rew]

I like it, but I'd want a slighty longer blade (at least 6"), double guard, I tend to put my thumb against the top guard, and black grips.;)

[LHS]

I like a top guard that angles towards the blade tip, and a bottom guard that angles towards the butt.

[Bossman]

ok,so far we have ........
micarta handle: 7 votes
cord wrap handle:5 votes
4" blade:2 votes
5" blade:2 votes
6" blade:2 votes
7" blade 2 votes
kydex for the sheath has won by a landslide.
If I average the tied votes for blade length it comes out to 5.5"
Micarta has won as far as handle material goes.
I`m going to continue counting votes for 3 days then I`ll draw up 2 or 3 blades that fit the tally of votes and we can decide on a final design.
Keep posting.This is very interesting.
Bossman

[hardcorps1775]

i think 5.5 to 6 inches is a great multi-use length. my only changes would be 1 or 2 rivets in the handle instead of three and the double guard (please excuse the horrid mods):

http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/1394AK_Knife.jpg

[Bossman]

I`m sorry Hardcorps but it looks like we`ve just designed the Air Force survival knife.

[azreloader]

So Bossman,

Have you worked out the details with the Administrators yet? Can't wait for this thing to get off the ground.

[Rew]

Make the blade 6+" and you won't have an AFSK. ;)

[Bossman]

Sorry guys,I kinda got caught up in a few other projects and neglected this one for a few days but it`s back on track.
I just got a witness .45 and needed to find a sweet handload to get back into competition(the correctional facility I work for has a pistol team and they`ve been sweating me to get back in the saddle)I also needed to get the saiga conversions laser,holo sight and iron sights all to agree with each other......which I finally got around to doing this afternoon.
http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Jul/2004793035034412370137.jpg
http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Jul/2004797429380652834390.jpg

Has anyone else noticed that the new wolf polymer ammo is much more accurate than the old stuff?
Anyway back to the knife,yes I have been in contact with the boards administration and no decision has been made yet.
I need to compile everyones suggestions into 3 or 4 prototypes and then get a final vote on which one we will go with,just another day or so and I`ll have something for you to look at.
Bossman

[azreloader]

Very Cool Weapon System. Is that a Swiss Bayo in the bottom pic?

[Bossman]

yep,thats a swiss bayo,wonderful piece of steel.I am going to make a new guard for it with a larger ring to fit over the AMD65 brake on my saiga,then when the ban expires I`ll tig weld a bayo lug on the rifle,should turn out pretty cool.
I drew up some prototypes for the blade and tried to scan them tonight but the frickin frackin scanner is on the blink again,anybody else got a lexmark z73 that seems to work only when it wants to?I`ll try again tommorow and if I still cant get it I`ll use my brothers to get the scans up.
Bossman

[azreloader]

Nuthin new for a while. What's up with the custom?

[Rew]

Good question. I really would like to see a TGN custom.;) If it helps, I'll just shut my mouth about my idea's, I do tend to like fighting/ GP knives.;)

[recon]

So where are we on this? Update?

[Bossman]

Sorry guys,I didnt mean to let this project stagnate like it has,just got blasted by a major hurricane and some other set-backs have put me behind,I`ll get back on this just as soon as I can.
Bossman

[azreloader]

Just glad to know you're still kikkin. We get nervous when silence ensues!:D

[recon]

Anything new on this?

[Bossman]

Well,3 months later and Hurricane Ivan is still impacting my life......for the better actually,I`ve gotten this gig as an armed guard for the FEMA emergency housing trailer parks,good money and not really work so to speak,more like drive around in a golf cart with a gun and badge and smile and wave at the unfortunate folks who lost everything and now live in a FEMA trailer park.I still pull 40 hours at the prison in addition to that so my free time is non-exsistant.
I still have plans on picking this project up and running with it,I want to see this through to the end and one of you get a really nice blade designed by the board members for a really nice price,but please understand that right now I have to take advantage of this opportunity,ther more $$ I make moonlighting for FEMA the more fancy tools I can buy for my shop(and maybe an AK or two) and one day when the trailers are gone and I have to turn in my badge and gun I can get back to making knives and shooting my guns and reloading my ammo and fishing and watching TV and having a cold one and ........having a life! I`m sure you understand.
Bossman