Hello Jeremy. This is just my personal preference. The knife I actually use for around the yard chores is nine inches in length and right around 1 3/4" in width. The steel is 5160 and the bar was 1 1/2" by .262 before forging. It is now right around 1/4" thick at the spine near the ricasso and tapers pretty good. Mine is a hidden tang and has a guard, two pins and a lanyard hole. I have also used full tangs. I seem to prefer a spearpoint design. Pretty much just a simple effective knife.

Let us see what you come up with.

Brion

Jeremy,

Brion's description is very close to my preference too. It's no coincidence that this knife could double as a competition cutter. The tasks that are required in a cutting demonstrations often mimic brush and vine cutting as well as techniques use in some survival situations. I like to limit the size of the blade and over all length to match the limits placed on the knives for a cutting demo at some ABS events. This makes the knife of reasonable length to carry on your side and I simply cut better because I'm used to something around that size knife.

You might consider watching some videos of the competitons with your Dad and listen for his input on what he would want in a knife. I imagine he would be happy with what you come up with. Lin

Thanks for the input. I'll have to look up the specs for those ABS cutting competitions. I've seen some of those videos and I think those knives are close to what I'm looking to build.

Jeremy

Jeremy the ABS cutting specifications are, A blade no longer then ten inches, A maximum width of two inches, and a handle that will bring the total length to fifteen inches maximum. Most of the knives are pretty close to ten inches in blade length, measured from the guard, with around a five inch handle. I am used to using a knife that size or slightly shorter.

Lin makes a good point about watching the cutting videos to give you ideas. After all he is a cutting Champion, so we bow before him when we meet him. Just kidding, Lin makes a great knife and they will cut. He has some examples on his website.

Brion

Thanks for the specs, Brion. I looked some of Lin's up and really like his designs. I'll probably try and replicate something similar to his, just not as nice <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />. I rather like the lanyard he has on the top of the finger guard. Jury's still out on whether or not I'll do a full tang-I'm guessing a hidden so as to make the guard a bit easier since I've never messed with one for a full tang. I've got some 3/8" thick 5160 I think 1 & 1/2" wide that might be a good pick for this one. Got a few other knives going but figured I'd try and plan ahead. Thanks again for the input.

Jeremy

You are welcome Jeremy. Glad to do it. And have fun forging the 3/8" 5160, it will give your arm a workout.

Brion