Folder Embellishments - What's Cool? I want your input!

Daniel Fairly Knives

Daniel Fairly Knives

Full Time Knifemaker
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Jan 9, 2011
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When it comes to Framelocks and Liner Locks what do you like to see?

Materials, millwork, anodizing, bolsters, texture, grooves, finish, coloring... the list goes on! What's cool and what would you like to see on my knives.

I considered a poll but that would limit our choices... what sounds good!
 
Oh man, where do I start?

Finishes. TI can be finished in so many cool ways!

Handle materials. Your G10 options are pretty crazy, but remember that you have more exotic options available! Timascus, Zirc, Carbon Fiber (and even lightening strike!), bone and probably more.

The jimping is nice, but for me it never did it. I can see just enough to make a blade functional but not overdoing it. It's possible to overdue modifications to a blade, and then it becomes ugly.

Fullers can look cool, but I don't always agree on their place on a blade.

Ultimately, you are the creator. I think that you have a ton of options and resources at your disposal. You just need to sit back, close your eyes, and piece it all together in your head.
 
Hi Daniel!
I'd like to see a bare-bones folder, liner or framelock.
Do a "working" blade finish and use the same finish on the framelock.
rolf
 
Things I like:

I like ano timascus, on a high end gents folder. I like deep carry pocket clips. As far as ano, I always preferred more of the hinderer style. Ano a spacer, pocket clip, thumb stud, or standoffs. The whole knife is usually too much for me. I like mirror polish on a high end gent folder, usually cause I wont cut very much except someones present, or paper when out on the town. Now my users, I like stone wash, black g10 or carbon fiber.
 
Orange peel Ti scales.

Bolsters, meh.

Acid wash blade finish, the type that is greyish with lots of "scratches".

Some milling on the frame, finger grooves..

No poon on blade profiles for folders.

Spine fuller. O_O

Crazy super steel high RC stuff.

Non commercial pivots and fat backspacers.

Bearings.
 
stone wash or combo stone/acid wash blades
ctek or twill scales (I really liked that blue twill that you made a while back)
m390 material
mokume for standoffs or pocket clips or other smaller parts
 
I really like bolsters and have them dovetailed.

Inlays. Either Lake style of the entire frame or just a small diamond of ivory like a Winchester model 12 high grade.

Jeweled insides of the scales.

Small file work around the edges of the scales.


That's all I can think of for now.


-X
 
That S7 compound grind on both sides.
'poon.
holes in the Ti.

any other embellishments would be superfluous, as the blade would outshine anything else.

That's pretty much the one. really.

The ONE.
 
I like what you have been doing. But here is my list of likes and don't like.
I like stonewash finished, machine finish on the bevels, black etched blades, black pins on wood handles, pops of anodized hardware on folders, San mai blades have caught my eye lately, I like some jimping or sutle half round file on thumb areas and where you pinky grips the handle, flared tubes for handle pins.
I don't like a mirror finish, elaborate file work, bolsters, brass guards, a bunch of pins in the handle, any of the mother of pearl or that look of handle material, scrimshaw.
I think alot of it is when you were born I'm 32 and this is just what "I" like.
 
Thanks again guys, I really appreciate the input and have been going over everything! You guys have given me some great ideas and also reminded me of some things I have wanted to try.
 
Thanks, Kevin.
I mean, if a knife is going to be used, why spend all that time to pretty it all up before hand?
Try one, Daniel.
 
Rolf, you'll like the Hartsfield inspired Tanto i'll have up later today... brushed Ti finish with stonewashed bevels! It's my first brushed titanium ever.

One day I'm going to leave the mil spec certs on the Titanium... I really like the way they look at that point.
 
Yes.. I agree.. TRY to make a $200 folder... One side Ti, one side G10, 3in blade in D2. Slightly rounded edges (I know that means time and time is money, but 90degree edges = suck). tumbled finish on all steel/Ti.

DO IT! You will rake in orders.. so water jet all parts; blade, G10 and Ti. Backspacers too, in G10 or your own micarta would add a sweet "custom" feature.

DO IT DO IT DOT! er DO IT! :D
 
Thanks, Daniel!
Sloth is on board too for the bare-bones knife... I think???
:D
 
Konok said:
I alwayls liked the finish on your folders. But to mention someone else. I like the works of Peter Rassenti too.
You too are great examples that sometimes "less is more". A gentleman folder on the other hand is a different category. But for a knife what i youse every day, keep it simple and clean, Usually i use my knives as a tool, so they sohould look like a tool too.
Click to expand...

Hey thanks Konok!

I really appreciate hearing that, it means a lot. Peter's work is truly impressive!

I agree on the art knives too, I come from a lapidary background and I'm usually thinking all out on the art knives. I haven't mentioned it but I have about 100# of stone slabbed up for knife handles. All sorts of Jade, Dinosaur Bone, etc... gets me thinking! :D William Henry is a bit of an inspiration even though I haven't made anything like that yet.

I think function will always be key with my knives, I have a hard time adding a lot of "features" to my knives... no "NASCAR knives" here! :D I like a clean aesthetic.

I think I got into this when I sold jewelry, I never liked the busy pieces. Same with tattoos, I feel detail can oftem be too much when it comes to the big picture.

Thanks again, it's fun talking knives!
 
First of all sorry for my bad english (I'm from Hungary)

So,

I think everything witch is beeng used, not just viewed, should get its form from its function. So i dont like knives witch are designed like: Ok draw something. Done. Weel it looks good, but lets find out what this curve is good for... And this applies to a lot of things.
For example: (sorry for the example but im a VW guy :) )
bigstick.jpg


Its a VW golf mk2 OEM rallye shifter tower. Used by the factory team. Its super sexy, But just as complicated as it should be. Built from materials witch are the best for their task. Like your folders.

Sorry for the long post...
 
Your English is better than mine!


Good stuff there, I agree 100%. Form follows function.

With Framelocks I always want:

- strongest lock possible with no compromise

- excellent blade to handle ratio (so far each design keeps getting better there)

- Excellent Ergonomics

- Top Notch Blade Edge Geometry

- little "design loss" - this means no wasted space anywhere, I want my hand close to where the blade starts without an unusable gap, etc

- top notch materials all around

- purpose driven features! I'd also rather take away than add if that will work better.


My folder designs generally have 100+ hours into the design alone... usually I can get my idea to paper quickly then spend most of the time on small details.





Konok said:
First of all sorry for my bad english (I'm from Hungary)

So,

I think everything witch is beeng used, not just viewed, should get its form from its function. So i dont like knives witch are designed like: Ok draw something. Done. Weel it looks good, but lets find out what this curve is good for... And this applies to a lot of things.
For example: (sorry for the example but im a VW guy :) )
bigstick.jpg


Its a VW golf mk2 OEM rallye shifter tower. Used by the factory team. Its super sexy, But just as complicated as it should be. Built from materials witch are the best for their task. Like your folders.

Sorry for the long post...
Click to expand...
 
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