New patterns: KÜK & Crooked Spade

[cpirtle]

Here's a couple of new designs that I'm going to try and make about 6-8 of each year. So far they are turning out to be pretty popular with my local buyers, hope you like them.


First is the "KÜK", which is one of my favorites.

As for the name, I started out calling it the Churched-up Utility Knife, which I shortened to CUUK but wanted to pronounce as "kook".. so it ended up being the KÜK.

This particular knife is 1/4" thick 1084 and has end grain linen Micarta scales & stainless tube for pins. It also has an upgraded wet molded sheath which the customer specifically requested a heavy stitch on.

The design is actually based on a retracting utility knife and offers plenty of leverage plus added grip on tough pull cuts. I designed it far easy carry on a wide utility belt or of course it can be carried on a regular belt as well. There's also a D ring integrated on the back for clipping or lashing the sheath to a toolkit or bag.

The second knife I'm calling the "Crooked Spade", and is another one I'm going to try and make on a regular basis.

It's also 1/4" 1084 and is designed to be a small stout EDC. The upgraded pouch sheath pictured mimics a cell phone case for discreet carry.

The scales are Lignum Vitae with a stainless hollow pin and a large hollow Micarta tube pin. The ball shape of the scales offer pretty suprising grip and a few different hand positions.

This one wasn't 100% finished when I took the pictures but this time of year you have to jump on the good picture weather when you can.

Thanks for looking, you can see some more pictures on my site.

 

[Mp7]

Nice design and work!

Dont know about the 1st one other than it looks good.

But the second is very interesting. Very nice beefy belt-EDC for someone
who loves to be outside. Ugly ... to a point ... i love it

 

[messerist]

Stout is an understatement! Very keen blades. I really like your style.

 

[JShirley]

Since a lot of folks call kukuris "kuks", are you concerned there might be some confusion?

I especially like #2.

John

 

[BRad704]

Kukri was my first thought when I saw the title also... And I agree with everything said about the second one... Looks great!

Can you and I have our own KITH? haha...

 

[451 Detonics]

I really like the KÜK, looks like a workhorse.

 

[TimboKhan]

I am digging that second one.

Thats not to say I didn't care for the first one too...

 

[heron]

Unusual designs -- especially the spade -- and the workmanship looks flawless. And that thick slab of steel just screams, "Use me hard!"

Very, very nice.

I would bring up a possible issue, though, about comfort in use -- if it were me, I'd radius the edges of the steel a little wherever fingers/thumbs are going to press. Those corners look very uninviting, especially on the spade. Have any of your customers mentioned this?

 

[JShirley]

Oh! True. I was viewing on my phone before, so it wasn't obvious.

 

[conw]

Love the second one. You struck a great symmetry visually that appears like it would translate into a very usable knife. I think there are some unwritten rules of proportionality, and you seem to have tapped into a good one, with a short stout blade and a short but grippable, substantial tang/scale portion. I think (can't say for sure without handling it) it might be useful to grind the top portion of the grip, so when viewed from the butt end there is an upward taper, like a teardrop without the point on top. Still round in form, but slightly oblong rather than circular, with a rounded lower portion and a slightly reduced upper portion.

Actually I'd like some more detail photos, like a shot of it from the pommel end looking straight down.

Great work. The first one isn't really my thing but I think the 2nd one is a very nice "little big knife."

Oh yeah...I'm going to your site...but in case it isn't posted there, it'd be cool to have typical measurements of the Crooked Spade...

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Profile

You know, it looks like you converted a profile normally found in a push knife into a usable application knife.

How long is that handle?

 

[cpirtle]

Thanks for all of the compliments and constructive criticism! Sorry for the delayed reply, I've been traveling quite a bit for work. Still on the road but had a chance to check email and the forums tonight.

As far as the name of the KÜK, I'm not too worried about it. I would hope anyone looking wold notice the difference pretty quick With that said, there's always a fine line between coming up with a good name and not "swimming in someone else's pool".

I'm especially glad people seem to really like the design of the spade, encourages me to make more. Although it may not seem like it, it's a fairly hard knife to make mainly because there's not a lot to hold onto while working with it.

heron, can you be more specific about the sharp edges? I am very careful to make all my blades ergonomic and although it may not show in the picture all of the edges have chamfers, even if very light. On this knife I dan't notice anything in the rip area that bites nor have I heard anything back from users.

Not sure where you are in NE Ohio but if you ever want to swing by the shop let me know, you can see some of my work first hand & I'm always open to visitors.

I'll try to get some more pictures loaded when I get done traveling, specifically one that looks down the pommel.

ArfinGreebly, you gave me a new idea, I'll see how it works first but feedback in this thread if I change the design a slight bit.

 

[cpirtle]

Sorry, forgot the dimensions on the last post, also need to update the site..

The Crooked Spade is 4.75" OAL with about a 2.125" cutting edge

The KÜK is 6" OAL and a 2" cutting edge

 

[Malodorousroadkill]

The Spade looks like it would be a great offhand defensive blade. The KUK looks like it would a wonderful easily resharpened EDC fixed blade. Very nice!

 

[Deltaboy1984]

This Parson says That some fine looking Steel you have there!

 

[brandon_mcg]

both are fine looking knives. the second looks like it would do well at skinning game.