Folder Q: Washers vs. Liners?

F

F. Allin Kahrl

Joined
Aug 20, 2004
Messages
211
Hey, all. I'm back from CO with a new Sebenza and a headfull of ideas.

I've been thinking about lockbacks lately and wondering about bearing surfaces inside the knife. For various reasons, I'd like the lockbar to be able to withstand some sideways pressure, so it should have bearings around it just like the blade would. In this situation, why wouldn't I just make a whole liner out of something like Phosphor Bronze and skip washer-type bearings altogether? That way, there'd be lots of bearing surface for both the blade and the lockbar without a whole bunch of annoying little parts.

Any thoughts?

-Allin
 
The bronze wouldnt take the abuse that a lock bar gets in the blade lockup area. Its too soft.
 
Hello Allin,

You will find that most slipjoints and lockbacks do not use washers between the blade and the liners. If you are wanting plenty of contact between the surface of your lockbar and your liners, just make the blade and the lockbar the same thickness and do not use washers on the blade. If you are putting the knife together with pins you will want to use some thin shim stock as a spacer while peening the pins. (I use .002") Pull the spacer out when you are finished. From this point you may have to open and close the blade until you are happy with the knife's action.

I don't see why you could not use Phosphor Bronze for your liners as long as you use steel for your blade and lockbar. I usually use nickel-silver, but I've also made knives with just micarta scales and no liners at all.

Hope this helps. -chris

__________________
Chris Crawford Knives

 
F. Allin Kahrl said:
Hey, all. I'm back from CO with a new Sebenza and a headfull of ideas.

I've been thinking about lockbacks lately and wondering about bearing surfaces inside the knife. For various reasons, I'd like the lockbar to be able to withstand some sideways pressure, so it should have bearings around it just like the blade would. In this situation, why wouldn't I just make a whole liner out of something like Phosphor Bronze and skip washer-type bearings altogether? That way, there'd be lots of bearing surface for both the blade and the lockbar without a whole bunch of annoying little parts.

Any thoughts?

-Allin
Click to expand...

Wow, I think you might be the only one in the area with a sebbie!

While I like lockbacks, I find they often get gunked up quickly. Have you thought about a frame lock?

stop by the black bull sometime!
 
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