Basic Urban Survival Folder

This folder is packed up and shipped out to Great Lakes Waterjet Inc. to do some cuttin' for me on parts here for these. I think I'll give it a try with several more of these little Cobbler blades and a couple other thicker ones just for some variance, see how it goes and if nothing else have some fun in the process. :thumbup:

Will pick up on it later after the holidays. Stay tuned.

STR
 
Hello Steve. That is a nice looking folder. I will be looking forward to see how this folder project works out. Any plans to use a steel like the 1095 I have in the folder you made for? I really like that steel and the thinness of that Wharncliffe blade. Take care.

RKH
 
These are thinner than that one and 60 Rockwell, I just found out on that. Apparently these are also a 1095 type steel. No telling what since its a Sweede or German alloy steel I think. It is carbon. We don't know the carbon steel on these but its very similar to what I use in ones like yours I know that. Only I think its at least 3 points harder.

STR
 
I hope so. Once folks use them I think they'll be as amazed at the level of performance they offer as I was. I'm hoping to be able to keep the price point at or below $125 a piece on these. I'll know more once I have to pay Dave over at Great Lakes. :thumbup:

STR
 
Staring at the picture of that folder, I suddenly realized that it is the same shape as my Kershaw 1410. I've always liked that shape.
 

Attachments

That Kershaw is not one you see a lot of. It looks more like a hollow grind from what I can tell though.

A bushcraft true scandi grind folder has had a window of opportunity for some time but personally I have not seen any that come to mind.This is something that will be a reality for some folks here in the near future once I get all my ducks in a row though. It will be probably the first or second week in Jan 09 before I get the locks and liners back from GLWJ so right now I have to focus on catching up until then.

Looks like Koyote and I will do at least a few of these folders using a couple of blades in them he makes in 3/32 thickness also so that should be a nice plus also.

STR
 
Which has me excited :thumbup: I get to make a couple folder blades, and for a seriously cool knife.
 
I really -- really -- like this knife. Simple. Tough. Practical. Looks like a wicked mean slicer, which is what a knife is for, IMHO. I'll be waiting to hear how this project progresses, and what the cost of one of these beauties is. Please do keep me (and the rest of us) informed. Thanks!

AJ
alanb@creativechange.org
 
Steve,

Sorry I missed this much of the thread. Great looking knife. I was wondering when someone would someday do a scandi style blade in a folder. Love the fact you took a fixed and made it into a folder. I love how keen an edge scandis can take and am a big fan of neutral handles for BUS (as you would call it). Or if not, I prefer the folder feel neutral in its closed position. They make great fist loads which I think are of great importance IMO.

I still think it would be possible to put more of a forward guard in the liners for hand slippage, yet still allow the handle to feel neutral closed. A longer, slightly thicker blade would be nice. Then again, a "BUS" for me would mean an SD knife first and I prefer longer rather than shorter. I guess I should have asked what you had in mind for a "BUS". Canvas micarta is much grippier and would be better suited than Linen for this purpose even though it lacks in aesthetics. AS ALWAYS, love your beefy locks.

In short, a longer thicker blade with a little more handle guard would do it for me. EVERYTHING ELSE, I think you have nailed it.
 
We'll be doing some blades in thicker stock so hopefully by the time all is said and done there will be frame locks, some G10 models and some more various canvas and linen micarta models.

May even get a stainless or two if we can work that out. 12C27 if I have my way, ATS34 would work too though.

My idea was that it should be comfortable in all grips so I took off the guard a bit from the first prototype I did in card paper. I had a more profound guard on it in another mock up though. In the end I felt this one suited it better. What I could do is cut some traction grooves in specific locations also but all in good time. My idea was more a back up for the fixed in the field that would be a great camp companion for the lighter duty jobs. The thinness didn't bother me much actually. I think it contributes to how well the thing peforms some but I do agree for a heavier duty knife for those with more demanding needs a thicker one may fit the bill better and we will have some of those if Koyote/Christof has his way with me. :D I'm sure we'll come up with some thicker models maybe in 5160 for ductility and strength and some of the 15N20 blades in 3/32 by Christof also.

Thanks everyone.

STR
 
This looks just right to me also, depending on price point, I would want one.

Especially if you were to consider a trade for some laminate materials. I'd like to see one wearing some denim scales with a blued clip
 
Brick red denim, or carhart brown, or that camo yarn you did for me....

I have some uddeholm stainless coming as well that I ordered to do river knives with...
 
I've never been opposed to barter when it benefits both parties.

If the economy keeps going in the tanker we may end up doing that for a lot more than stuff like this down the road. Never know.

STR
 
STR,

Traction grooves is something I much appreciate and wish someone would do more of; like a custom 1911. Its just that even in the custom/handmade arena, its still seldom seen. They would be great on the back of the first 2" of the spine as well as the lower portion of the frame and the butt, if reverse grip was in question. Personally, they are the ideal points and dont interfere with "woods applications" and might help.

I do like thin blades as well and wasn't implying the pry bar grind. They have their applications, but, I've seen very few well ground thick stock blades with good edge geometry for SD applications .They seem to run the gamut.

All thats been applied so far to design I agree with, but, lemme get this straight...
This "urban knife" was designed to be a backup to a fixed in camp? I'm just seeing the name maybe... but hows it urban then?

Great choices in steel and I would choose 12c27 a lil over the 34 anyday for toughness. Fods, laminates would round it out nicely.

Hey Fod, how about a demin clip/laminate instead a blued clip? Food for thought?

STR, I might have to just get a custom from you.
 
Well its supposed to be some of both. In other words some urban, as in non stealthy looking, along traditional lines not space aged mall ninja looking, or close quarters combat types but your basic urban survival bushcrafter for camp or office. I wanted to incorporate "Rural" in the name somehow but never came up with much. Guess I could have called it "RUS" but whatever. Its not that I'm limiting it to one area of use by name or trying to is what I'm saying. Its kind of like a hunter being used for defense or a defensive fighter being used for something other than it was named or even designed for. Just the name doesn't keep it from wearing other hats if the need arises. I thought to call it my USB folder as well, but it sounded familiar and I feared there were other knives already out there called that name. BUS sounded more marketable to me. IE, 'get on the BUS' have you caught the BUS today?' or other dumb things like that. ;) Thats the old salesman in me coming out I guess.

Anyway, defense was really not on my mind making it. Not that it could not wear that hat in a pinch. I'm sure it could as any could but thats the farthest thing from my mind actually. Any name could have worked I guess. The indoor outdoor urban was another that came to mind. IOU but I didn't like it.

I wanted to incorporate all I was thinking of in one neat word. Bushcraft, Survival, Office, Home, were all on my mind along with things like food prep, whittling and field dressing. Anyway, thats my view on it. Trying to fit all that in one short label that is catchy proved harder than I realized.

Whether or not the BUS name sticks is still in the air. I've still got the wheels turning on that some up in what gray matter I still have working. :D

STR
 
You know BUSB wouldn't be too bad either come to realize it. Kind of rolls off the tongue as BUZB when you say it fast. :D

STR
 
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