The evolution of a caper

[Jeremy]

Making a useful small knife is a bit of a challenge.  Designing a blade <3" with a small handle that's truly multipurpose and comfortable to use day after day makes designing a really good 4+" hunter look easy by comparison.

Most everyone has seen Doug's caper, and if not here's mine:


A really useful design that's been copied by many (me included).  My Doug-inspired caper has a bit straighter profile (my preference).  I've made a bunch of these (and cleaned and butchered 2 deer with one on a bet) but it doesn't feel like "me"

(anyone tired of seeing this pic yet?)

About the same time I started making those I also made a bunch of straight hidden tang capers like this one (my first attempt at wire inlays a few year ago):


Closer to "me" but not there.  Then for last year's knife swap I changed my mind (out of necessity) in the middle of making a knife and used a new (to me) caper design.  I really liked the way that knife felt.  This last week was the first chance I had to revisit that design and I came up with two nice ones.  Finally a small caper that's truly "me"!

I'll get pictures of those up this afternoon  :D

While we wait, I'd like to see how everyone else has approached the sub-3" challenge     I know Karl posted a pair a few weeks ago... how about the rest of you?

[Kevin Evans]

Jeremy I to am looking for a better design than I've seen.I think most of the smaller ones look great especially you first one ,but my problem is they don't feel good in my hand.
Can't wait to see your new design.
Here are the 5 and 6 knife I done a long time ago(trying to copy Doug)way to much curve in them!!!
Pics a bit blurry but you get the idea

[robtattoo]

I think that this is about my nearest to 'me' sub 3" knife to date. The blade is just on 2-7/8" but the handle's long enough to fill my hand & be 'useful' as opposed to 'handy', if you see what I mean!  :D

[d. ward]

Wow guy's those are outstanding work...Jer I like the bottom knife second pic.Now thats sweet.bd

[prarieboy]

Hey Guys I really like the looks of every knife in this post. As for Me personaly for a knife that I may need to work all day with Robs Knife or the one rooster likes bottom of 2nd picture.
The almost straight handle with the bulb handle fits my my hands seemingly better. Again they all look very good(to this newbie)just some thoughts from my expirence. C-YAll Bob

[Jeremy]

The bottom one in the above pic has a bubinga and zircote handle, the top is macassar ebony and some of the gorgeous alligator juniper I have left from a stump my father brought back from NM.  Both blades are 1095HC that was clay coated and etched.  



The bubinga knife is how I intended the handle to be.  I ended up needing to narrow the juniper handle to work around some hidden faults in the burl... kind of glad I did.  I like the narrower handle too.  My wife (small hands) likes the way both knives feel and I like the way both handle (between a L and XL glove size.)

[MYSTIKBOW]

First off just let me say Jeremy that I NEVER get tired of seeing that pic! What is that osage and bloodwood? an excellent combination of woods whatever they are! I like BOTH blade designs as well.  Each one has it's purpose.
Over the last couple of years though, for long periods of use I've come to appreciate a handle and design more like the one that Rob posted.
I'd say overall Jeremy that your caper design has evolved Very Very nicely.  I Like!

JOHN

[vermonster13]

Those are mighty fine looking knives all.

[Steve Nuckels]

My very first knife!  L-6 Zebrawood/ebony.  

I like every one of the above!!!!

[MYSTIKBOW]

Dang Steve, Thats really nice!  

[Doug Campbell]

Yep keep em coming, I'm seeing all kinds of stuff I wanta copy          

[Guru]

You guys are all talented beyond belief    

[Bodork]

I love all these knives! Steve, how long is yours?(the knife!)

[tippit]

Here's a little hiccup in the evolution.  I must live too close to that nuke power plant  :eek:  Doc

 

[sticshooter]

Here's one I made about a week ago.<><

[Steve Nuckels]

Bodork, the blade is 3 1/4" and 1 1/4" at it's widest point, 7" OAL.  From a old saw mill saw blade.

Not a knife in the bunch I woulden't be proud to carry!  Great Stuff!

[Steve Nuckels]

Here is my second knife, its a little caper/patch knife withe Bacote handle.  7 1/2" OAL.  An interesting texture on the blade that happened during the heat treat/quench.

I made the sheath, it has a Beaver tail leather accent!

[backwater]

Sticshooter,i like this one . How about a dark wood or antler with burr handle.

[backwater]

Stickshooter im talking about the one you made.

[Larry Surtees]

All look great!  Thanks for sharing!