By making a few small changes to
an existing design, a knife can take on a completely new look and
character. Here are a few permutations and variations on a single theme:
Do you think you will get bored
with making knives? Yes, it is possible if you make the same design day in
and day out. By using different combinations you will be able to make a
new, unique knife every day for the rest of your life and still have room
to move. Here is a conservative listing of combinations:
Blades: 16 shapes
4 types of stainless steel
4 types of high carbon steel
8 different damascus patterns
Bolsters: 6 different materials
Bronze, stainless, nickel silver,
silver, Mokume, damascus. (Not including knives without bolsters)
Guards: 6 different materials
Bronze, stainless, nickel silver,
silver, Mokume, damascus.
Handles: 49 different materials
16 Woods
10 Horns
3 Bones
4 Ivories
4 Synthetics
12 Laminated woods (Pakkawood ™ )
Techniques: 13 types
Stock removal, forging, satin,
mirror (blades), textured, granulated, reticulated, etched, engraved,
scrim, chemical colouring,
Presentation: 8 types
2 types display cases
2 types sheaths
4 types leather (snakeskin, full
grain, suede, ostrich, buffalo, with fur / hair)
Knife shapes and sizes: 20
This gives you 9,784,320
combinations. You can add pommels, types of folders (lockback, sliplock,
liner lock, etc.) and folder designs, which might give you 5,870,592,000
different designs. To get an idea of the sheer volume involved:
If each design is done on a
standard A4 size paper, 0.01 mm thick, the stack will be about 58
kilometres high!
