Folders *again)

[Way-Barney]

Good morning,

How do you get the knife blade to end up in the middle when the folder is in the closed position, some of my folders(purchased ones) kick to one side or the other. I can appreciate the skill needed to grind two blades into one spring gap. but I want it dead center, is there anyway to check before assembly so that I know it will come out right? Or is it just hammer the tang until it looks ok?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

On a piece of hard wood or aluminum, hold the knife vertically on end with the pivot end up. Tilt it ever so slightly so the higher side is on the direction the blade tip needs to move. Gently tap the high side with a brass or wooden hammer. It takes some finesse, but once you get the hang of it you can adjust the tip left or right pretty easily. I suggest taking a cheap knife and practicing this.

 

[SBuzek]

The main cause is either misground blades or crooked holes. Make sure your drill press or mill is trimmed square. You can check if a blade on a slip joint is going to be centered when peened is to put a clamp around the pivot pin. If it is not centered then it won't be when peened.
Beating on slip joints to center them is just wrong. Build it right from the start and you won't have to do that.

 

[Way-Barney]

The main cause is either misground blades or crooked holes. Make sure your drill press or mill is trimmed square. You can check if a blade on a slip joint is going to be centered when peened is to put a clamp around the pivot pin. If it is not centered then it won't be when peened.
Beating on slip joints to center them is just wrong. Build it right from the start and you won't have to do that.

I think I get you Stan, clamp the liners together around the tang?
I would rather try and learn to do it correctly if possible. I have not checked the mill for dead square. I will do that tomorrow. I am going to drill from the collet rather than the chuck to get rid of those straggling thou, The grind might be the problem for me. I did think of milling it for greater accuracy, two passes each side it would be done.

 

[SBuzek]

Yes I use a 1" spring clamp with a notch filed in the center to go around the pivot pin

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I completely agree with Stan that building it right is the best way. My answer was on how to straighten one that was peened wrong or dropped and the blade moved.

 

[Ken H>]

You can check if a blade on a slip joint is going to be centered when peened is to put a clamp around the pivot pin. If it is not centered then it won't be when peened.

Good idea Stan - I'll try that later this week on the slipjoint I'm working on.