4X4 Slipjoint

David Kramp · Nov 19, 2022

After thumbing through the exceptional Sheffield Exhibition Knives book, I got inspired to build something that would be ambitious and challenging. I was curious how lobster knives were made and at the same time I was researching 2-bladed elephant toe knives. I had just finished making two Norfolk whittlers and I got to thinking

. What would you get if you stacked 2 two Norfolk whittlers side by side with 4 blades and a one piece spring?

My initial drawing

Decided this knife needed a purpose. A horticulturist’s knife. Budding blade, pruner, elephant toe and a clip.

Why not add some implements

Tweezers and a mammoth

toothpick

Current state of affairs. Interior mammoth for the scales, double sided banner shield and chamfers all around.

Really enjoying the process on this build. Hoping for a hiccup free finish from here on out.

Badger28 · Nov 19, 2022

This is… I don’t even know! Wow! I’m so interested to see how this turns out.

Bigfattyt · Nov 19, 2022

Neato!!

waynorth · Nov 19, 2022

David Kramp said:
After thumbing through the exceptional Sheffield Exhibition Knives book, I got inspired to build something that would be ambitious and challenging. I was curious how lobster knives were made and at the same time I was researching 2-bladed elephant toe knives. I had just finished making two Norfolk whittlers and I got to thinking . What would you get if you stacked 2 two Norfolk whittlers side by side with 4 blades and a one piece spring?

My initial drawing

Decided this knife needed a purpose. A horticulturist’s knife. Budding blade, pruner, elephant toe and a clip.

Why not add some implements

Tweezers and a mammoth toothpick

Current state of affairs. Interior mammoth for the scales, double sided banner shield and chamfers all around.

Really enjoying the process on this build. Hoping for a hiccup free finish from here on out.

Definitely not your first Rodeo, David!! Looks very interesting so far!! I can't wait to see it finished!! (And I wouldn't mind CEing and CFing that knife when it's done!!)

Heathenhymnal · Nov 20, 2022

Wow, what a unique and I'm sure super challenging build! Absolutely loving where it's going! Really digging your vision and eye for design here.

sitflyer · Nov 20, 2022

This is a true work of art!

Shorev83 · Nov 20, 2022

Very interesting build, the lines look awesome. Thanks for sharing.

abcdef · Nov 20, 2022

Wow. Keep us posted. Some in hand shots with blades open will be interesting.

JM2 · Nov 20, 2022

Cool. Thanks for sharing. That’s a departure from my usual Jacks and stockmans.

TheJon · Nov 20, 2022

David Kramp said:
After thumbing through the exceptional Sheffield Exhibition Knives book, I got inspired to build something that would be ambitious and challenging. I was curious how lobster knives were made and at the same time I was researching 2-bladed elephant toe knives. I had just finished making two Norfolk whittlers and I got to thinking . What would you get if you stacked 2 two Norfolk whittlers side by side with 4 blades and a one piece spring?

My initial drawing

Decided this knife needed a purpose. A horticulturist’s knife. Budding blade, pruner, elephant toe and a clip.

Why not add some implements

Tweezers and a mammoth toothpick

Current state of affairs. Interior mammoth for the scales, double sided banner shield and chamfers all around.

Really enjoying the process on this build. Hoping for a hiccup free finish from here on out.

I just realized you're using the spring pin as the shield pin as well, that's ingenious. That thing is a beautiful monstrosity.

How much does it weight?

Hengelo_77 · Nov 20, 2022

Very cool project!

A question on the spring. Do you shape it so it has the tension in it or do you bend the spring after you cut it out?

danno50 · Nov 20, 2022

Amazing!!! A jumbo lobster! :thumbsup:

screened porch · Nov 20, 2022

[love] and [wow]

David Kramp · Nov 20, 2022

Hengelo_77 said:
Very cool project!

A question on the spring. Do you shape it so it has the tension in it or do you bend the spring after you cut it out?

I used my Norfolk whittler frame, spring and blade tang geometry to guide the mechanics of this forked spring. It’s basically two Norfolk whittlers superimposed onto each other and melding them into one.

The spring fork was rough shaped based on my usual preload measurements and included the max spring rise (~0.040”) during the blades’ rotation. I had to take into account the distance between the spring ends during opening as well, which was the max spring rise x2 plus an additional 20 thou for a little extra breathing room This was all done pre-heat treating. Yes I did have to carefully squeeze the forks to get a gap that was in the ballpark. Fine tuning was done post-heat treatment.

David Kramp · Nov 20, 2022

TheJon said:
I just realized you're using the spring pin as the shield pin as well, that's ingenious. That thing is a beautiful monstrosity.
How much does it weight?

Thank you. I call it a monstrosity too. Lol.

The vintage style double banner shields were the perfect opportunity to add some bling while providing a solid base for peening the linchpin as I like to call it.

David Kramp · Nov 20, 2022

waynorth said:
Definitely not your first Rodeo, David!! Looks very interesting so far!! I can't wait to see it finished!! (And I wouldn't mind CEing and CFing that knife when it's done!!)

Slowly but surely pushing my boundaries. I’m still a greenhorn

.

Coon fingering is highly encouraged sir

I was hoping to take it to the Solvang Custom Knife Show as an attendee. Hope to one day be invited. Mr. Claussen gave me encouraging words at BladeShowWest. What a gem that guy is.

I’ll post pictures again once it’s finished.

If I’m keeping with my original visions for this knife, I think the bolsters would be the perfect canvas for some tasteful engraving.

What’s your thought on engraving?

Hengelo_77 · Nov 21, 2022

David Kramp said:
What’s your thought on engraving?

Go fot it!

(and thnx for answering my spring question)

David Kramp · Feb 15, 2023

I finished a very functional Harfoot version 1.0 at the end of November. Back at it with version 2.0 with all that I learned during the first build. As with most prototypes from scratch the second version always comes out better.

The overall length is less than 4” and the width is 1-1/8” at the widest point. Decided to add black liners. I also made my first attempt at coined liners.

Hope to have this peened together very soon. This knife will not be for sale. It’ll end up being a table queen at shows. At least that’s the plan for now.

As of now progress:

Mini Elephant

Toe

Love this budding blade and the swedge grind.

Pruning blade

Thanks for looking.

Daniel W · Feb 15, 2023

David Kramp that is amazing, as someone who just built his first folder that works as intended

. I can't imagine pulling that off, thanks for sharing.

Ernie1980 · Feb 15, 2023

Wow that is incredible! I would love to be able to handle it at a show!!