First folder.

[4MSteel]

Hello all-
I'm new around here but have diligently and actively been reading on this forum for several years now. I'll fill out my info in profile here shortly.

Have a few questions about my first folder...it's going to be a friction folder. I'm planning on using 3/16 pivot pin and same size stop pins. Question number 1- If I'm going to be using 5/32 1084 for these first few blades, is there a certain length pivot barrel I should order?
Question 2-Should the pivot pin holes be reamed?
Question 3-does 3/16 sound right for stop pins?

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated!

JM

 

[Tony Miller]

You can buy whatever pivot barrel length you want because you will have to cut if off to the length that fits your knife anyway. They are typically available in lengths like .4 to a half inch. The pivot holes should definitely be reamed in both the blade and liners. And you also need to make certain that your drill press is perfectly perpendicular to the table or your blade won't close in the center of the knife. You don't need 3/16 stop pin. I would use 1/8. Also unless the knife is really large I would use a 1/8 pivot. Is this your first knife or do you already have experience with fixed blades?

 

[4MSteel]

You can buy whatever pivot barrel length you want because you will have to cut if off to the length that fits your knife anyway. They are typically available in lengths like .4 to a half inch. The pivot holes should definitely be reamed in both the blade and liners. And you also need to make certain that your drill press is perfectly perpendicular to the table or your blade won't close in the center of the knife. You don't need 3/16 stop pin. I would use 1/8. Also unless the knife is really large I would use a 1/8 pivot. Is this your first knife or do you already have experience with fixed blades?

Yes, I have experience with fixed blades. My dad was a knifemaker, and I started learning from him about 2 years ago. We made many fixed blades together before I started on my own, and have been doing them since...all the while still learning from him. He recently passed, very unexpectedly. I never realized how many questions I still had! So I figured I'd join here, and learn from you guys.

Don't ever take advantage of the small things! One second they're here, the next they're gone.

Thanks so much for the help. Greatly appreciated. :thumbup: