Quick update today. I have finalized the design and working on making my first metal prototype. I am moving forward with M390 due to the pricing and machinability. Based on initial costs the knife should be around $100 which is the price point I am looking for. It will be a few weeks until I have a working prototype so the next step is to work on the blade cover. Let me know what you think of the final design and if you have any other feedback. I love hearing it all.
Many designs and even more 3D prints in, I have got a design that I am ready to take to the next step...steel. I couldn't have made it to this point without the feedback from the community and so excited to make a metal prototype. There still might be some small design changes but the look and feel are perfect for me.
Since my last update, I have modified the grip based on multiple people's feedback. I made sure to talk to people with small hands, large hands, female, and male. The curvatures and multiple grip options work for everyone. I have increased the thickness to 5mm which matches the thickness of my pry bar, The Traveler. There were some modifications done to the openings to allow for a full size and mini pocket clip and finally knife jimping was added in two locations for multiple grip options.
I would like to thank my fellow Boilermaker for the name The Index. It is a simple, yet elegant name which matches my design style perfectly. Next, I need to pick a steel and I am between M390, S35VN, and 154CM. Not sure raw material costs so some additional research is needed but my goal is for a high, to higher-end steel.
While working on making a functional prototype I will start the design for the blade cover. I have some ideas in mind and will start prototyping it soon. It needs to be removable with one hand, provide robust blade protection, and of course look awesome.
Please continue sharing your feedback on the blog, though my email (GondekEDC@gmail.com), or through Instagram. I'll keep everyone updated as the process continues.
I have been hard at work trying different designs to see what works and what doesn't. Based on the feedback from my last post I removed the tanto blade from the running. While there was some positive feedback for it, there was much more for the other two options.
After trying to improve the hole and shank designs I found the sweet spot on the hole blade. It just felt so much better in my hand than the other and I knew that was going to be it. I made multiple prototypes to further refine the grip as well as update the design. Below is where I am today with the design.
I borrowed some of the design aspects of the other style I was working on to reduce weight and skeletonize the blade. What I plan on refining is the location of the openings to allow for a short and long pocket clip to work (lefty and right carry!). I just love pocket clips and couldn't imagine having an EDC item without one.
The next steps are going to be fine-tuning the grip for different sized hands, work on the grind design, pick the steel, give it a better name, and finally design the blade cover. As always I am all for feedback and input. Feel free to comment here or shoot me an email at GondekEDC@gmail.com.
