Bread Bow Knife Template

Summary

My wife wanted a bow knife for cutting crusty bread. I didn't really like the designs I was finding and found it is pretty inexpensive to buy only the blades online. I had some walnut in the shop looking to become something useful, so here's where it went. Because the blades came in multipacks I batched out several to give as gifts.

I love how they came out, but I think the first design forces a thinner cut than we'd want at times. At it's thickest it's about it was about 1.25" / 31.75mm. As the frame slopes in it gets even thinner depending on the size of the loaf you're cutting. As such, I created a second design with a much thicker cut, about 3" / 76.2mm.

I have not actually made the thicker design yet. I will post pictures when I do. I have more blades coming. I just need more shop time.

The template is split in half to hopefully fit on most printers. It can be used to trace the shape and is thick enough to be used as a router template if you want to go that route.

The blades I purchased did not come with blade guards. I didn't think it was a big deal until nicked my hands a few times. The blades are much sharper than you might expect. I couldn't find ready made guards so I've also included a model for a blade guard I designed as well. These fit pretty snuggly. If you get a thicker blade you may need to make adjustments. I printed the guards in PETG so it would have a little flex. I also had to run a razor down the center, where the blade goes, after printing. It wasn't bad, but there were a few spots in the center that tried to stick together because it's such a small opening.

Here is the link to the blades I purchased.
https://a.co/d/cag78nh

Print Settings

Printer Brand: 

Creality

Printer:                      

Ender-3 Max

Rafts: 

No

Supports:                      

No

Resolution: 

0.2

Infill:                      

10%

Filament: eSun PLA+
Pine Green