Fixed to Folder?

[Knife_Geek]

Hey Steve I was wondering if you still do fixed to folder conversions? Or if you don't do you know anyone who does?

 

[STR]

I quit working on fixed blades a few years ago. The last one I didn't really want to do but did and that one was it.

I still do folder but I've limited that as well to the folders I like. I pretty much refer out all the slip joint work I get asked to do anymore. Just not ones I enjoy as much as the ones you see me working on all the time in the way of pocketclip equipped one hand open and close type locking folders. I still work on some depending but for most stuff I refer them.

Look to Bob Pickle for slips,
Oupa or Muskrat man for fixed and you might check the Wilderness and Survival forum for links to guys they know that do custom scales. Hope that helps.

Thanks for asking

STR

 

[Knife_Geek]

Thanks for the response. I was actually asking more along the lines of would you take a fixed blade I have and make an Ouparator using the blade from the fixed?

 

[STR]

I completely missed that. My apologies. It would depend. I have done it a few times for folks. If they have enough metal to reshape it on the tang where its needed I can probably do it but it has to do with other things. I think the last one I did was one for Oupa on a blade he bought from Bob Dozier but I'd have to think about it. Its around here in a thread somewhere. I'll have to find it.

STR

 

[STR]

Here is the link that goes through it start to finish. Dirk asked me to do it and I said sure. I covered all the bases first once I saw a side profile of the blade. Its not the kind of job you want to do a lot. Cutting down and shaping hardened steel is a tough row to hoe but it can be done. This D2 from Bob is the real deal at 62 Rockwell too! Takes a lot of patience to get one of these done up right without hurthing the temper of the blade but I've done it a handful of times now. Dirk wanted to take over after I got the frame done. In my opinion what he did to it once I did my part is one of the most exceptional jobs I think he did in the time since I've known him.

http://www.knifeforums.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/776102/fromsearch/1/hl/Fixed|to|folder/tp/1/

STR

 

[Knife_Geek]

well if you did think it was possible I wouldn't be against sending it over to great lakes waterjet to have him remove the handle and cut the pivot hole and the hole for the thumbstud. The knife I would be considering would be the Koster kit bushcraft. He has line drawings up in the order thread. If you could do it I think the front "scale" hole would work just fine for the pivot if you could find a 1/4 pivot pin.

 

[STR]

Boy you really want to test my ability huh? 3V. Wow! Talk about your 'real deal!' Bout like grinding a rock but it looks possible based on the shape. 1/8" thickness isn't as bad as 5/32 would be. I have 1/4" pivots no problem.

I'd be willing to give it a go. Not sure I'd be glutton for punishment to try another one but I'll try anything once. I figure if nothing else I can see how it cuts in a couple spots in the middle of the tang and if nothing else they'd cover up with a handle if it seems like an impossible obstacle and I decide its a no go. Send one over. I'll see what its all about if nothing else. Just follow my normal routine with the work order form from my, "Read this to mail me work" thread top the page sticky page one all the time. Thanks

STR

 

[Knife_Geek]

Would having great lakes waterjet the handle off help a bit? so then you mostly just have to grind the lockup surface? I wouldn't be against having you look at it and decide where you would want it cut then shooting it off to him to get the main cut done so all you would have to do is finish grind and create the lock surface. Also could you quite me a rough idea for what you would think for a G-10 front side Ti frame lock back for something like this? That way I know when I can actually afford this.

Thanks again!