Does anyone here make friction folders?

S

SpyderJon

Joined
Jan 27, 2002
Messages
2,038
I've been intrigued in these for a little while, and it just seems like a lot of people don't make them- or if they do, they're not like what I'd want. So, I thought I'd just ask, does anyone here make friction folders or know where I can have one made? I got some interesting responses in the general forum, but I'm still looking for something. I had the perfect maker in mind, but aparently he's gon AWOL from the knifemaking scene. So, what I would like is a nice friction folder with nicely figured scales, and stainless liners. Well, here's to hoping!

Sincerely,
Anthony
 
Anthony, I have made a couple of them. They are not as difficult as a good liner lock but there doesnt seem to be as broad of a market for them. I personally really like a well made friction folder. You should be more specific on what you would like and see who chimes in. There are some really excellent makers hanging out here. The price will delgate the steels and handle materials you will get.

I would be willing to give it a shot. I have to make 5 knives by next June for The Blade Show. These knives will be damascus and will be judged. If they pass inspection I will be presented with the Master Smith certificate. "I aint cheap but You get what You pay for"

Regards, Bruce Bump
 
Anthony,Gene Chapman does some nice ones.Here's a few of mine, no stainless liners though.That almost seems sacriledge on a friction folder.Dave

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Nice work DC.

Look for D.R.Good. He does friction folders in a nice damascus. I see them every now and then on ebay. Nice high contrast steels.
 
Greeting's One and All in Response to Who Makes Them I Would Be Happy To make one!! I Just Finnished a Very Nice Folder But a Liner Lock Not a Friction .. I Really Enjoy Making these Folder's !! I Would Need Very Specific Detail's / How Many Blade's / Handle Material / Bolster Material Ect Let's Talk !!
 
I have two friction folders, bother really cool. One is by Mel Sorg (Madpoet) who died several years ago. A great Persian style with stainless liners and desert ironwood scales. A beauty. Won't get used. The other is totally polar opposite by Sean Perkins. Stainless textured handles and A-2 blade. Unfortunately he dropped his Internet presence and maybe is even out of knives altogether. Sorry. I think you can see both knives on my webpage in the reviews section. I haven't looked at my webpage for years, so I dunno for sure. I think this is the URl though:
http://www.geocities.com/chiro75/frames.html

YEah, just looked and the webpage is still there. Scroll to "A Tale of Two Friction Folders" and you'll see them. You can't have them (well, maybe for a few thou each), but it'll give you a couple ideas of what can be available if you look really hard. I was going to try my hand at making a FF but I can't get motivated to do it. The last one I did failed miserably so I am a bit gun shy. Making folders with hand tools stinks.
 
Anthony,
I made my first one just recently and sold it at the N.Y. show.
I have been making liner locks for some time, but needed a little
diversion to maintain my sanity. I had a lot of fun making this knife and will probably make more when time allows.
I would be willing to attempt anything within reason, so if you would like, let me know what you would be interested in. Ed
 
Three excellent makers come to mind: CHUCK PATRICK of Brasstown, NC DAN WINKLER of Blowing Rock, NC DAVE COLE of Satellite Beach, FL --------------Sandy
 
Edited to add: I have a picture of the exact knife I'd like the friction folder to be based on, though I can't post the picture. Anyone interested? I wouldn't want that EXACT knife, but an interpretation. Thanks!




I'm sorry I seemed to have dropped my thread, but I was away for the weekend on some business. Anyhoo, What I'm looking for, is more of a modern friction folder. I'd like it to have modern materials, like a really good steel (440C, BG42, S30V, etc.), with nicely figured scales (like stabilized wood burl), with stainless liners. It's kind of like I'm interested in the antique quality that a Friction folder presents, but I also want to marry it to more modern processes. I'd also want it put together with screws. It was actually Chiro75 who got me started on the more modern friction folder thing. I found his website, and the friction folder he had by Sean Perkins was just about perfect, but Sean isn't making knives anymore. Like others who responded to my other posts around the forums said, this would primarily be like a jewelry piece, but I'd also like it to be a user. Is this specific enough?

I'd want something with a drop point, some file work would be nice (nothing too overdone, but maybe a nice vine pattern), and like I said stainless liners with some nicely figured scale material such as a stabilized burl wood).

That's what she be! May be looking to get more than one, as I find these knives very cool.

Sincerely,
Anthony
 
BTT, please look at the edit. I have the EXACT knife I'd like to base my friction folder on, but I can't post a picture. For anyone who can do searches, Blues has a Watts saddlehorn trapper that I'd like to use as a template (moreso the saddlehorn shape) for my Friction Folder.
 
Well SJon I gotta thank you, I've been thinking along these lines for some time now; maybe you've pushed me over the edge. Until the Outpost I had never heard of a friction folder. Then along comes Chris Crawford with his refined and slick work. I began thinking about making a friction folder that looked like one of Chris's knives...hmmmm.

Steve, thanks for the link to yours. Madpoet's persian version (sorry, had to :D ) is exactly what I would have tried to make if I had to dream this up on my own. But now that he's pointed me the way, maybe I can begin to try to follow his path.

I think you guys have shown me at least part of what 2003 is going too look like. I'm psyched!

Dave
 
Oh, speaking of D R Good, I saw one of his on eBay once that he'd carved to look like finger bones! Incredible, I was so outbid...

Dave
 
I very much those made by ABS MS Dan Winkler and Jim Batson (his diamond pattern). Chuck Patrick also makes great ones.

JD
 
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