Newbie- Whhat would be the best process for executing knife designs?

[pesky_human]

Just found this forum, and it seems like a great resource. I look forward to hearing from some of you!

I am looking to start producing some keychain tools and neck-knives, and need to know what the best process would be to execute my designs.

About the designs:
Material: CPM 3V, Stainless, and eventually Titanium
Dimensions: Maximum 2" x 6" x 1/4" - most smaller
Construction: Single piece
Style: Pry tools, knives, keychain tools
Price point: Retail between $150 and $400

About me:
Design background: Professional artist (painting, vector illustration, graphic design)
Technical background: Solid tool and woodworking proficiency going back 20 years. Excellent computer design skills (Illustrator, Photoshop) but no CAD experience whatsoever.
Intangibles: Quick learner, but little money. That's what you get when you graduate from a top law school and decide to make art for a living. Basic understanding of the capabilities of CNC / milling. More passion than is probably safe.

Resources:
Huge industrial space (ex-mortuary, 1600 sq. ft. with concrete floors)
Smitty CB 1220 XL LTD mill (borrowing from a friend who got it in an aerospace auction at Boeing - going to see if it works tomorrow. Looks clean.)
A full range of general purpose tools.

That's it, pretty much. I will learn how to use the mill regardless, but if the learning curve is insane, I would like to at least get some CNC prototypes on deck for testing. I look forward to your responses.

Thanks for reading that novel of a first post. ©

[jalessi]

Welcome to the Zone.

Where are you located?

Jeff...

[pesky_human]

I'm about 5 minutes north of downtown Los Angeles. 5 and Broadway.

[jalessi]

There are several custom knife makers in you area, Emerson, Wayne Clark...

See the attached Knife Makers Guild list for California members.

http://216.147.0.112/cgi-bin/members.pl?Voting


Jeff...

[pesky_human]

Originally Posted by jalessi There are several custom knife makers in you area, Emerson, Wayne Clark... See the attached Knife Makers Guild list for California members. http://216.147.0.112/cgi-bin/members.pl?Voting Jeff...

Thanks man. Emerson nor Clark show up in search... I see a couple of others ©

[jalessi]

http://www.emersonknives.com/index2.php

[Mcgyver]

Whhat would be the best process for executing knife designs?

what are the differences between an executing knife and a regular knife

btw, what is a neck knife?

[pesky_human]

Originally Posted by Mcgyver what are the differences between an executing knife and a regular knife btw, what is a neck knife?

Hahaha. Yeah I think you know what I mean as far as executing!

Neck knives as in those that are small and can be worn in a small Kydex sheath on a chain around the neck...

[laszlozoltan]

how much practical experience do you have ? A mill or cncmill will maim or kill in an instant; they are not toys.

[mc-motorsports]

CNC laser then grinding fixtures, hand finish for a quality product. Carbon steel holds the best edge, unless your getting into ceramics?

[pesky_human]

Originally Posted by laszlozoltan how much practical experience do you have ? A mill or cncmill will maim or kill in an instant; they are not toys.

Oh definitely. Yeah I have been researching metalworking classes . I have a ton of experience with woodworking tools - enough that I have a very high respect for power tools of any sort. I am leaning towards getting my protos done in CNC with finish grinding by hand while getting versed in the ways of milling to the extent that I can start experimenting without CNC.

[pesky_human]

Originally Posted by mc-motorsports CNC laser then grinding fixtures, hand finish for a quality product. Carbon steel holds the best edge, unless your getting into ceramics?

This sounds like the most reasonable route at this point. Not planning on doing anything with ceramics. Since these are going to be small tools and knives, I am going to start in steel and then hopefully one day start working with titanium, although I understand that Ti has a really special way of going through milling tools etc.