Duplicating a knife?

G

guitarguy1

Joined
Apr 14, 2009
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96
Howdy folks, I've made a few fixed blades, and now I'm looking at playing with a folder or two. I'm hoping that in this context I won't get flak, but I'm sure someone will have issues with it given what I'm about to ask.

Is it reasonable in my first attempt to take apart a folder that is made by a company and duplicate the design? Not for resale or forgery purposes, but to see how it actually goes together and have a base to compare my finished knife to? I'm looking at my Kershaw Skyline and thinking about making a duplicate of it to practice using a known source material. Or would it be better to go with my own idea and start working the steel?

Would I learn more and get the basics by copying an existing knife so I can compare the two?

I'm not trying to start making knockoffs or anything like that, I'm trying to learn how to make a folder. I'm hoping that in this context I won't be offending anyone or causing issues. I'd really appreciate any thoughts you fine folks have on this.
 
Still, it will not be easy . It's easier a bit but still depends on skill and tool he have . . . . What's the difference between copying and your own draft when you need preciously to cut liner lock , file the part of blade to make sure that will lock properly and to drill detent hole :) Anyway, good luck and do not hurry, patience and the order of job/task is the most important thing .. Do not forget to take pictures ;)
 
I know it won't be easy, but I'm trying to cheat the learning curve a little bit by having a finished product I'm remaking. I have a background in machine and wood work, we have lathes, mills, and all kinds of machines here. The hardest part I think will be hardening the edge of the liner lock so it won't stick, but even that isn't too bad from what I've seen.
 
Nothing wrong with that as far as I'm concerned. I'd couple that endeavor with reading "The Tactical Folder" by Terzuola so that you have a little more of an understanding of why the parts are how they are, and even how to make minor adjustments here and there as needed. Even if you have a CAD drawn pattern that you can lay over your steel and materials for cut out, there's little probability that you'll cut and drill everything so precisely as to not need certain minor adjustments for final fit up.

I'll also say that they flatter and "squarer" everything is, the easier things will go together. Take the time to tram in your drill press, and make any material as flat as you can before you start cutting and drilling.

Good luck!
 
I have a similar project in mind with my son this summer. On his recent birthday he got a Case wooden kit knife, I plan to recreate it piece by piece and assemble them together.
 
Perfectly acceptable and a great way to learn. This doesn't apply to your situation in my opinion, but in case this is what you are worried about:
I have made exactly one knife that was what I would call a "copy" for a customer. That was one of the less popular Bob Loveless designs. I did not really enjoy making it, as the pressure to emulate a Loveless design was taxing. Though it was challenging trying to make something as close to the original as I could. I was ok with this as no one would mistake it for a Loveless, it was marked by me, and I wasn't trying to sell it on the open market, but to a friend of my brother's. I learned a lot on that build for sure!
 
guitarguy1 said:
I know it won't be easy, but I'm trying to cheat the learning curve a little bit by having a finished product I'm remaking. I have a background in machine and wood work, we have lathes, mills, and all kinds of machines here. The hardest part I think will be hardening the edge of the liner lock so it won't stick, but even that isn't too bad from what I've seen.
Click to expand...
That is the myth. There is no cheating.
 
Its actually difficult not to copy someone in some sort of fashion - albeit mostly unintentional - when you are first starting out. In many ways its good to use an already established pattern so you can get the feel for it.

This is especially true with folders where the dimensions and proportions can be quite difficult to learn. Just make sure you give the designer props if it comes up!

There are great deal of folks on here who are easy to draw ideas or inspiration from as well.
 
For centuries art students have been required to copy the masters in order to learn the foundations of their craft. There is no problem at all with copying as long as it is a teaching tool.
 
I'm doing a similar thing but using my own Damascus for the blade, but don't have the skills/tools for the other parts...
 
Kit knives from places like knifekits.com are also an option if you are looking for patterns to learn from or parts to reuse. Lacking a mill etc. I forged my own blade but used the rest of the parts from a kit for this one I made as a gift for someone:

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You can use the kit blade's backend as a template to get the holes, stops, and detent all lined up. I actually ended up clamping the two blades together and using the kit blade as the equivalent of a filing jig to get the back just right for lockup.
 
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