Framelock 100% finished

N

night man

Joined
Aug 27, 2010
Messages
199
I finished it today. It was an interesting project. I made a friction folder last year and a prototype framelock with 1080 for the lock side but never completed it. This is the first completed framelock I have made. Its also the first time I have worked with D2 and I am curious to see how my heat treating turned out.

Details

Steel: 1/4" D2
Blade length: 3 1/2"
Overall: 8"
Handles: .200 titanium and .190 G10
Finish: Blade is etched and stone washed, lock frame is soaked in oxyclean and scrubbed with scotchbrite pad
Parts: 1/4" chainring bolt for pivot, 1/4" standoff, 3/16" stop pin

I am really happy with how it turned out. The lock is pretty stiff but it is still very functional. There is some stickiness in the lock but over time I think it will break in with use, it is already getting better. I did most of this work without a mill. The only time a mill was used was for the thumb recess. The two things I would like to improve are the lock face and the lockup position. I want to carbidize the lockface to make it wear less but that will have to wait until I buy a carbidizer. I also wanted the lockup to be earlier than it is. I wanted it around 30% and it ended up around 50%. I have a stop pin that is a little larger that I could use to get the lockup where I wanted it but I really like how it locks up as is so I will leave it this way for now.

Thanks for looking!













 
Thanks guys. I would really like to carbidize the lock face on this thing to extend its life. Is there anybody on the forums who would offer this service? Someone I can mail the lock to and just have them carbidize the surface and mail it back to me, for a fee of course.

Thanks.
 
Good looking knife, especially with that chisel grind. I see a membership upgrade in your future.:D
 
Daaaang...

Really like the way you textured the blade to compliment the scale. Seriously, those could sell. Easily.

One question. Why would you prefer the lock up sooner? I'm curious because I see this debate all the time. I feel that the only good reason to have an early lock up is to satisfy the want of the customer. I see people ask about the very late lock up on Sebenza all the time. They are made that way on purpose. And considering that they have been made that way for 25+ years by the guy that created the frame lock in the first place, I'd say that's evidence of a good design. ;)

Also, on that note, the main concern that I've seen is that early lock up gives more time for the lifespan of the lock. I've opened knives 1000's of times and all I've noticed is the lock settling in.

Just a thought.
 
Strigamort said:
Daaaang...

Really like the way you textured the blade to compliment the scale. Seriously, those could sell. Easily.

One question. Why would you prefer the lock up sooner? I'm curious because I see this debate all the time. I feel that the only good reason to have an early lock up is to satisfy the want of the customer. I see people ask about the very late lock up on Sebenza all the time. They are made that way on purpose. And considering that they have been made that way for 25+ years by the guy that created the frame lock in the first place, I'd say that's evidence of a good design. ;)

Also, on that note, the main concern that I've seen is that early lock up gives more time for the lifespan of the lock. I've opened knives 1000's of times and all I've noticed is the lock settling in.

Just a thought.
Click to expand...

Thanks.

I guess i just wanted to extend the life of the knife. I am by no means an expert on framelocks or knives for that matter. If I had hardened or carbidized the lock I would not worry so much about the 50% lockup. But since I didn't treat the lockface I was hoping for an early lockup to extend the life.

But like you said maybe I will not notice the difference. That is one reason why I made this and why I will carry and use it for some time before I make any to sell. I want to evaluate the knife and make sure it will still engage properly in 2 months, 6 months, and so on and also make sure the lock works properly, no excessive blade play or rocking or failures.
 
night man said:
Thanks.

I guess i just wanted to extend the life of the knife. I am by no means an expert on framelocks or knives for that matter. If I had hardened or carbidized the lock I would not worry so much about the 50% lockup. But since I didn't treat the lockface I was hoping for an early lockup to extend the life.

But like you said maybe I will not notice the difference. That is one reason why I made this and why I will carry and use it for some time before I make any to sell. I want to evaluate the knife and make sure it will still engage properly in 2 months, 6 months, and so on and also make sure the lock works properly, no excessive blade play or rocking or failures.
Click to expand...

I would love to buy a prototype from you so I could help with data points in the testing. Carry it, use it, thousands of openings to see how the lock settles and wears
 
My experience with liner locks not frame locks has shown me the amount of wear to expect is next to nil. I replaced a blade because of use and - over - sharpening and the lock position change on the original blade was negligible. You can harden the leaf end by simply taking it up to red and letting it cool I believe. Frank
 
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