Heat treating handle components?

[PhoulPlae]

I read on a Strider thread (though I have doubts) that their folders' pivot pins are heat treated to increase the hardness. Is this a necessary or common practice? If so, would it make sense to heat treat the (steel) handles, or other metal components?

 

[Kit Carson]

Most of the "other" components of the folders I make are titanium and can't be heat treated.
I've used both hardened and non hardened pivots over the years and both work fine. If you think about it, Buck used 1/8" brass pins for pivots on the 110 for generations and most are still hanging in there.

 

[indian george]

Kit; what would you recommend for the hardness of the pin if the blade was a 58rc??

 

[Kit Carson]

IG,
IMHO, a polished pivot bolt in a polished hole, with good tolerances, will last the life of the knife. I use more hardened parts on the "Flipper" models than the regular liner lock/framelock styles.
The smallest diameter pivot bolt (thru the blade) I use it 3/16" and have used 1/4 and 5/16".
Some of the slipjoints and lockbacks I built years ago with an 1/8" pin are still functioning fine.
The "intended use" of the knife has alot to do with it.

 

[indian george]

Thanks Kit