Hi guys,
I would like to share my first, just completed, "completely made from scratch" folder project with you. As a hobbyist knifemaker, I made some knives and swords over the years (mostly historically inspired and mostly with blades I bought, except for a few small ones). Just recently I got into folders, and back to this forum, after buying a strange old Shrade unfinished blade at a garage sale (which is a separate but interesting story, if curious see this thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ed-Ellenville-factory?p=14253183#post14253183 ).
Anyway, back to the subject. I live in NYC and got into trouble several years ago for carrying a typical modern folder (it was clipped to by jeans front pocket, police happened to see it while I was on the subway, and I got suddenly introduced to the fact that NYC enforces state knife law the way it was never meant to...).
So when I recently discovered friction folders and read up on them, I saw an opportunity to design and make a folder that I could EDC absolutely legally, even considering all the unreasonable extra-legal limitations enforced by NYPD.
Design criteria I decided to follow: there should be no way to flip the blade open (ideally it should be strictly two handed opening); non-locking blade; under 4" blade; general "nice and non-threatening" look; fully concealed carry even in summer clothes (which for me means mostly front jeans pocket, and absolutely no "printing" of knife outline through the pocket).
Here is the album with pictures of the knife that came out as a result:
http://public.fotki.com/aindman/friction-folder/
Vital stats:
- handle 3 7/8" long (4 1/2" with the blade's "tail"), 9/16" thick.
- blade of 1/8" 1095 steel, just under 2 1/2" long, 1 1/8" wide at the base.
Handle material - paper based black Micarta. Decorated with brass (1/8") and nickel silver (1/16") pins. Nickel silver spacer.
The axis pin, stop pin, and the central pin in the butt are stainless steel. Brass fileworked washers. Axis pin is tight enough to require significant force to open the blade (I like to open by pushing on the "tail" with my right thumb, while holding handle's butt between left thumb/index). Blade very solid when open, no lateral play at all and again requires a good push on the back to close.
The "tail" and part of the blade's back that goes into handle in open position is also fileworked, both for decoration and retention (it extends about 1/16" over the handle's back surface, so the thumb actually presses on the "tail" when properly gripped).
The blade is probably the sharpest I ever made, almost like a surgical tool! It is basically flat ground, with slightly convex edge flowing into the flat.
Finish is practically mirror polish. I tried out on it the leather honing belt (with some white compound) that I just bought for my new tiny 30" belt sander. Worked very well both for surface finish and honing the edge.
I also made this weird looking leather "pocket pouch", to completely eliminate knife printing through the pocket. The usual narrow pocket sheaths I often see with friction folders would still print somewhat suspiciously. They also (like a bare folder) would tend to turn across in the pocket rather than stay vertical.
My pouch is about the size and shape of a wallet (see in the album a picture of it side by side with my wallet), so it prints like a wallet, or maybe phone, but definitely not like a knife. It also stays vertical, and stays in the pocket when I pull the knife out by the blade's "tail".
So, how do you like it? Any comments?
Alex.
I would like to share my first, just completed, "completely made from scratch" folder project with you. As a hobbyist knifemaker, I made some knives and swords over the years (mostly historically inspired and mostly with blades I bought, except for a few small ones). Just recently I got into folders, and back to this forum, after buying a strange old Shrade unfinished blade at a garage sale (which is a separate but interesting story, if curious see this thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ed-Ellenville-factory?p=14253183#post14253183 ).
Anyway, back to the subject. I live in NYC and got into trouble several years ago for carrying a typical modern folder (it was clipped to by jeans front pocket, police happened to see it while I was on the subway, and I got suddenly introduced to the fact that NYC enforces state knife law the way it was never meant to...).
So when I recently discovered friction folders and read up on them, I saw an opportunity to design and make a folder that I could EDC absolutely legally, even considering all the unreasonable extra-legal limitations enforced by NYPD.
Design criteria I decided to follow: there should be no way to flip the blade open (ideally it should be strictly two handed opening); non-locking blade; under 4" blade; general "nice and non-threatening" look; fully concealed carry even in summer clothes (which for me means mostly front jeans pocket, and absolutely no "printing" of knife outline through the pocket).
Here is the album with pictures of the knife that came out as a result:
http://public.fotki.com/aindman/friction-folder/
Vital stats:
- handle 3 7/8" long (4 1/2" with the blade's "tail"), 9/16" thick.
- blade of 1/8" 1095 steel, just under 2 1/2" long, 1 1/8" wide at the base.
Handle material - paper based black Micarta. Decorated with brass (1/8") and nickel silver (1/16") pins. Nickel silver spacer.
The axis pin, stop pin, and the central pin in the butt are stainless steel. Brass fileworked washers. Axis pin is tight enough to require significant force to open the blade (I like to open by pushing on the "tail" with my right thumb, while holding handle's butt between left thumb/index). Blade very solid when open, no lateral play at all and again requires a good push on the back to close.
The "tail" and part of the blade's back that goes into handle in open position is also fileworked, both for decoration and retention (it extends about 1/16" over the handle's back surface, so the thumb actually presses on the "tail" when properly gripped).
The blade is probably the sharpest I ever made, almost like a surgical tool! It is basically flat ground, with slightly convex edge flowing into the flat.
Finish is practically mirror polish. I tried out on it the leather honing belt (with some white compound) that I just bought for my new tiny 30" belt sander. Worked very well both for surface finish and honing the edge.
I also made this weird looking leather "pocket pouch", to completely eliminate knife printing through the pocket. The usual narrow pocket sheaths I often see with friction folders would still print somewhat suspiciously. They also (like a bare folder) would tend to turn across in the pocket rather than stay vertical.
My pouch is about the size and shape of a wallet (see in the album a picture of it side by side with my wallet), so it prints like a wallet, or maybe phone, but definitely not like a knife. It also stays vertical, and stays in the pocket when I pull the knife out by the blade's "tail".
So, how do you like it? Any comments?
Alex.
