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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Friction Folders.......
- Thread starter jacknife
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2000
- Messages
- 168
Advantages:
1. They are an old, traditional design. (This can be a big deal for historical re-enactors and other "history nerds".)
2. They are quite often relatively inexpensive.
3. They can be "different" and kind of "cool".
4. They are relatively durable, with very little on them that is easily breakable.
Disadvantages:
1. "Friction" can work both ways. Too much friction can make the knife too difficult to open. Too little friction can make the knife too easy to close, e.g. on fingers during use.
2. Friction folders very often are not as easy or pleasant to use as a slipjoint.
Should you be getting one? Why, certainly! At the very least the purchase could be justified as being "in the interests of science"!
1. They are an old, traditional design. (This can be a big deal for historical re-enactors and other "history nerds".)
2. They are quite often relatively inexpensive.
3. They can be "different" and kind of "cool".
4. They are relatively durable, with very little on them that is easily breakable.
Disadvantages:
1. "Friction" can work both ways. Too much friction can make the knife too difficult to open. Too little friction can make the knife too easy to close, e.g. on fingers during use.
2. Friction folders very often are not as easy or pleasant to use as a slipjoint.
Should you be getting one? Why, certainly! At the very least the purchase could be justified as being "in the interests of science"!
From a historical outlook, friction folders have been around since Roman times. In the 1500's to 1600's it was the penny knife, that was the low cost blade of shepards and tradesmen.
If the rivit is adjusted just right, its kind of like using a slip joint. If its too loose, the rivit could be peened a bit. I keep my Opinel adjusted that way, and for alot of jobs the locking ring never gets twisted. The dynamics of the cutting keep it open. The design is the most ancient folder there is. Thats kind of neat in itself. And they can be one hand openers if they are made that way. :thumbup:
If the rivit is adjusted just right, its kind of like using a slip joint. If its too loose, the rivit could be peened a bit. I keep my Opinel adjusted that way, and for alot of jobs the locking ring never gets twisted. The dynamics of the cutting keep it open. The design is the most ancient folder there is. Thats kind of neat in itself. And they can be one hand openers if they are made that way. :thumbup:
I've been making a few friction folders, Big ones with crown stag handles and have had no trouble with the right tightness. I put a pretty long "lever" on the blade and I do a slight concave section around the pin and add a copper washer. I leave the brass pin a bit long and peen it round. I use two friction folders almost every day for leather work and have tightened one of them in two years of daily use.
Regards
Robin
Regards
Robin
I make alot of them and also have used one as an EDC for about 10 years now.While I like doing some traditional styles, I also like some gussied up types too. Dave
Those are some nice looking knives Dave. I'll try to get some pics of a couple I have around and post them.
Robin
and have great character.
mitch13
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2004
- Messages
- 10,995
I really like friction folders. I edc my Mike Wilson friction folder a lot.
Advantages
lite in weight.
pretty easy to keep clean.
nice thick scales.
quality knife at a relative cheaper price, although I have seen 1 listed at over $500.
Disadvantage
pocket carry the stick tang can dig into your leg. I carry mine on my belt.
Cheers
Mitch
Advantages
lite in weight.
pretty easy to keep clean.
nice thick scales.
quality knife at a relative cheaper price, although I have seen 1 listed at over $500.
Disadvantage
pocket carry the stick tang can dig into your leg. I carry mine on my belt.
Cheers
Mitch
mitch13
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2004
- Messages
- 10,995
I make alot of them and also have used one as an EDC for about 10 years now.While I like doing some traditional styles, I also like some gussied up types too. Dave
Those are superb:thumbup::thumbup:
Anymore pics?
Thanks for sharing.
Mitch
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2001
- Messages
- 26,713
In addition to the historical aspect, Mitch's post sums it up for me.
I also have one of Mike's and I use it. He did a great job. I am not much on locks (meaning I do not place very much importance on them, since I do not cut with the blade spine very often
), but one other advantage is that your grip holds the knife open (rather than the spring tension that we are used too) should you need to cut with the blade spine. 
.