3-Finger Knife

Something else I've been working on:

This is a small every-day use fixed blade I think of as a "Three-Finger" knife, 'cause that's how many I can get on the handle.



The idea is for a capable blade that's small enough to actually carry in a pocket, in a pop-off sheath probably with a belt lanyard.

Steel is W2 with a sand-blasted finish, handles are rosewood. W2 is fun to work with. I differentially heat treated this one and produced a hamon that was clearly visible as soon as I blasted off the quenching crud.

We'll find out soon. I think he'll be surprised!

Yes, I intend to. I figure a lanyard of green 550 cord looped around the belt will pop off the sheath as the knife is drawn. Should be quick and fairly slim in the pocket.

Yes! The W2 I could find was a bit thicker than might be optimal (something like 0.18" or 0.2" IIRC), but the width of this blade makes it work. A narrower blade would pretty much require thinner stock.

That blade shape and choil look familiar!

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Yeah! I picked up a thing or two that really seem to work from some folks who've been MOST generous.

LOL You do such good work my friend!

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Thank you!

Funny you should say that.

I've been toying with the idea of one with something like a screw-driver/prying tip at the pommel and more utility edge shape. Not sure when I'll get around to making one, but the idea is there...

Well, I do have thick hands, so I appreciate the value of a knife large enough to really get ahold of. But, I also appreciate that most folks (like me, actually!) just don't carry even a medium-sized fixed blade around with them, so the knife you'll have with you is a lot more useful than a GREAT knife at home in your drawer.

The attempt here is to make one that is small enough to be unobtrusive in your pocket and still have a comfortable enough handle to make it useful for "normal" daily tasks.

It would be annoying to try to use this for hours in heavy work like skinning a moose, but it IS ergonomic enough for regular tasks.

If you're going to work with Kydex try a taco instead of sandwich.

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Yes, that was my plan. Maybe even 0.060" kydex instaed of the usual 0.08". Very thin, but I think the overal width might be nice in that it helps the whole package lie flat and straight in the pocket. Like a pocket holster, it could help the knife always be presented the same way as you reach for it. (Maybe!)

It will be too much for most folks to keep anything else in that pocket with it, but that would lead to it getting dinged up anyway.

I'd suggest tooled leather to go with that pretty wood.

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I'm no leather guy at all, but I've got someone in mind who's local, and FANTASTIC with leather who I'm thinking of asking to collaborating with me on some of these.

Finally got around to finishing it up and making the pocket sheath:

The lanyard would get looped in a cat's paw around the belt and as you draw the blade, the lanyard pops the sheath off.

Pretty compact for a very capable blade. Maybe even too much blade!

3-Finger Version 2

Here's a different take on the idea for those who like more of a utility blade, or a more modernist look.



Slips into the pocket the same way, and can be retreived/deployed one-handed without losing track of the sheath.



Some might say it looks less "weaponized" than a more traditional blade.

Some might not.