OK, your wish is my command. It's not fully detailed yet, as I wanted some input from you first. Knowing Jeremy he can and probably will build this just from what I am presenting here. However, if he is a little patient, perhaps I can incorporate some other features and send him accurate templates. This one was tricky to work out in the diminuative size. I targeted a waspy bottomless swinger and made it exactly 7" overall. I was shooting for slender and wicked because I have always felt that the AKC 9's were too blunt and blocky. I wasn't completely successful, as this would have to be impossibly narrow. I think it's better, not sure if it is good enough.JulesVane wrote:Dave...'ya know, I've been wanting a small swinguard. Maybe a 7"(?). I've had my thoughts on a 7" Rizzy but, was wondering what your thoughts are on designing something along those lines? If you're into it, please feel free to PM anytime. I know it's a small item, but may be big cool. Maybe Jeremy would be into the build(?). Really not often do I see the small swingers. Just a thought.
I've drawn this as a dagger, but it can be easily modified into a bayonet, half-grind, or swedge. Note that the swinguards are double pinned so that they move as a unit and won't 'scissor' to each other. Right now the 3-1/16" blade is just 1/2" wide, and measures 1-3/16" at the guards. It's a very sleek little knife which only requires depressing the lockback about 1/16" to release, although the actual lock is a substantial 1/8" wide by 3/32" deep. I have faked in a 1/4" round button and no safety - this is pretty much up to whatever you and Jeremy can work out. It could have a pommel if you are not a fan of bottomless. I drew it with a substantial spring, so it ought to jump right out of your hand.
I'm very pleased with how the closed view came out; it's a very sleek little knife. The guards neatly cover the lock notch when the blade is stowed and there is plenty of room to preclude peaking. I'd go with a 3 mm blade to match the thickness to the size, but virtually any thickness would work. It uses a one piece kick spring. The guards are patterned after the old "Hunter's Pride" Americans and follow the contour of the rounded bolster rather than being squared off like most moderns. Now that I have the geometry worked out, I can reshape the guards pretty much at will, but this is as long as possible right now without making the knife fatter.
One of these days I'm going to have to do a 13" version of this for myself.