The Muk concept is growing on me. I like a shallow curved belly on a knife for Camp Chores and such. - For both small and larger sized knives.

I still like the smaller Muk concept, but I don't see as much value in having weight forward on a smaller knife. What is gained?

But, on a larger knife, there are some advantages to having weight more forward for chopping.

I still like the Chopweiler concept. I like my Camp Tramp a lot, but I like the Chopweiler with it's lowered point and weight forward without the clip point. Clipping the point just reduces the front weight.

Balance of a knife is a big thing to me. So, drawing on paper vs. handling is two different things. You can't tell from pictures, but the Camp Tramp balances much better than the Yard Guard. And although the M6 is a VERY tough and stout knife, I think it has horrible balance. (Sorry - my opinion). The S6 has WAY better feel in the hand and balance than the M6 IMO. But, the M6 is actually VERY stout and more stout than you might be able to tell from pics if you have never handled one.

Anyway, I was tinkering with the idea of a shallower belly version of a mid to large sized knife. Probably just a hair longer than the Chopweiler concept. I visualize the Chopweiler to be about 8" from Res-C to tip.

I sort of see this Meg-Muk with about a 8.5" - 9" blade. By doing a little bit of a variation between a Muk and bolo type tip, I wanted to put some weight forward to aid in chopping. But, I didn't want to have too much of a Bull-nose that would negate the values of a decent tip.

This isn't my prettiest Photo-Chop. And it may still be a work in progress and/or need some tweeks. Somehow the forward hump still looks like it needs a little something. ....... This was my first version (edited to add second larger verions below):





Here is my improved/modified version a few hours later:





On my newer second version, I have given it a taller blade, a little more belly (but still shallow), a Hell Razor type false edge only to a point where-as to not impede batoning, a cool use of the Busse dimples on the flats, I put the hump a little more forward, and I cut the Res-C handle back a little. I don't think the first one was bad. It was a lot more slender and nimble. This second version should be one heck of a chopper with more power. Vic should approve. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
I think the lines on the second are more aesthetically pleasing. The first wasn't quite right.



Personally, I would most likely prefer the thickness of a Mega-Muk and the Chopweiler to be around 0.22" or so. I find that to be plenty thick. Plenty of weight and thickness do get the job done and be sufficiently thick for toughness while not being too overly heavy to carry.

I am not offended by suggestions. But, I also keep in mind that everybody seems to have a different opinion. So, some suggestions will likely conflict with others in some way or another. I might like some ideas, but reserve the right to disagree as well.

Still, what are other thoughts on something like this?

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that looks awesome!!!

I'd buy one in a heartbeat!!!!

Now if only they will put a foreward lanyard hole in the Res-C knives

dang that looks good!!!

I like it overall, but it looks to me like the weight would need to be shifted a little bit further foward(just a tad) to take full advantage of it. Also, maybe make the hump start it's rise further towards the tip by about 1/2" or so, and make it 1/4"-3/8" higher overall.

Like you said, it is very hard to tell how a knife will balance until you hold it in your hand though.

I love it!

Dan Koster has the best mega Muk I've seen or held.

Tolly,

Good feedback and I honestly agree with most of your input. I had been working on the above drawing and felt it needed some improvements. I had loosely come to the conclusion that just a tad taller blade and just a tad more forward weight might be called for. I wish I could just whip up some protos to tinker with and see.

I will tweak and work on my drawing a little later to see how I can improve it. I have some ideas.... along the lines of what you mentioned.

This isn't my prettiest Photo-chop. It is not terribly easy to make it look somewhat like a real knife and get the "look" of final design just right. It is a slow and tedious process. The above concept took about 4 hours. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> But, my tweaks shouldn't take as long.

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Ted,

I haven't had the pleasure of holding any of Dan's knives yet. But, I have to be honest. His "Monster Nessie" was largely the inspiration for my concept.
I really like the look of his handles and the rugged flats contrasted with the high flat (thin edge) grind.

I love this one in Koa - FREAKIN' GORGEOUS in my book:




... when I get some finances back in order.... I will likely be talking to Mr. Koster. I like his Bushcraft knife as well, but I am not sure I see any advantages over my Aurora (?????):


This little Nessie in Desert Ironwood looks Gorgeous as well:




I am a big fan of micarta. But, there is something about the Nessie designs that begs for wood handles (????). <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Oh well,.... for function. Res-C will work great for me


I also like Natural Canvas micarta. Is this similar to Pitman's?:




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In regards to Dan Koster's Monster Nessie, I like them a lot, but one thing I think I would like to change is they are a little more Bull-nosed than I prefer.

I have some ideas to improve my concept. I will work on it.

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Ted - Dan makes his Nessies in a bunch of different thicknesses. Do you know how thick the one you handled was? What are your thoughts on thickness, length, height, etc.?

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I love your Muk creation KG! I definately would be interested. I love the Nessie designs.

I'm pretty sure it was around 1/4 inch. It was at the Northern California chop off. It was on par with some of the customized FBM's as far as chopping went. I was really impressed with how well it performed and I don't particularly like that style of knife to begin with, but if I had to have one it would be that one. Unless, the Yard comes out with one.

Updated 2nd version added. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Another advatage for the smaller Muk is the blade edge to knife length ratio is much higher than with other types of knives.

I doubt that Scrapyard would do a knife like the SusScrofa because it sold poorly.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> ???? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> ????


The above knife isn't small. It is larger than the Camp Tramp and smaller than the DFLE.

And my smaller Scrap Muk Concept isn't like the Sus Scrofa - So, <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> (????).


Here is my larger and smaller Muk concepts together ( *** "Approximately" scaled ?):




They should make a great combo. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> ......... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />



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Thanks DM. How do you like the 2nd version?

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