hmmm folders..is it possible?

B

Bart student

Joined
Nov 17, 1999
Messages
676
Hello folks,

I was browsing down Bladeart -great site BTW- and then I saw it..
the 7.5 inch dagger ground Mad maxx .. hellish thing.
Now has a crush on me...

but.. I can't afford it by a long shot - unless I sell my kidneys or something - . Story of my life.

Anyway.. I started making knives in the first place because the ones I wanted to buy were too expensive.

Is it a possibility to make folders too, preferably framelock folders?

I'll list up what i got tool-wise.

Drill press - big and perfect condition, 42x1 grinder, 10 inch discgrinder, dremel, a few more high-tech toys. including carbide drill bits in lots of sizes.

I got no acces to a mill of a lathe.

I'm willing to spend about 100 $, should I need extra tools.
I got talonite coming in, so blade material is no problem :D
Titanium i can get too.

Soooo .. Mr Mayo? Mr Ralph? can it be done with loads of patience and these tools?


Thanks for reading

greetz and take care, bart.
 
Well you wouldn't be the first guy to make folders without a mill or lathe. I'd be lying if I said I had any real success stories with it so far, but I don't think I'm too far from getting decent results either.
I'd say if you want to make them to sell, you'd better get the equipment, but otherwise you just need patience and some attention to detail.
I don't know about the talonite though. The sticking point with it is going to be the locking face on the tang. Your not going to file that very easily, diamond files might do it but not your average needle file set. If you can get it shaped properly than you can fine tune the fit up by working on the liner.
For tools, you'll want a good micrometer. Dial calipers would be better, then you can take inside diameters of holes as well as the normal measuring stuff. A good set of needle files, a good set of taps, and a center punch.
Make sure you've got some gut off discs for the dremel too.
 
Okie ... it's basically the idea that I can make my own carry folder, not selling or anything. I see loads of folders, but the ones in my price range for buying never have D-2 or talonite blades. Leave alone 52100 blades.

I just want to make a framelock folder, no frills, no fancy anodizing, no bolsters, maybe a set of scales but that's max.

Oh ... I got a measuring thingy that is accurate till 1/100 mm.. will that do?
I got taps, needle files... the whole thing.

The only problems I forsee is getting the stuff perfectly flat, especially near the pivot, I got plenty of tiny torx head screws, I even got a few of those little thingies for ball-bearing detends or something. And off course.... getting the blade to be centered :D

Does anyone has a few pivot pinns with srcews and washers too much?????

You can always send them here insted of losing those darn smal things on your overcrowed bench and rediscovering them five months later after you clean away all the junk and dust because you had trouble finding your bench in the first place.

Darn... that's the longest English sounding sentence I ever typed :D
No-offense, my bench top isn't excactly nice either :D

greetz and take care, Bart.
 
If all you want is a personal carry, why not find an import with a good handle, ie. sound lock and frame, and change the blade out? I've done that a couple of times to test blade steel while working in construction.

Or you could get the new Darrel Ralph linnerlock kit.

I've made maybe 6 or 7 folders, not a one I would want seen much less try to sell. The most important thing I've seen is to keep everything flat and all the holes square.

I don't have much more in the way of tools than you, and untill I can get at least a surface grinder, no more folders, too much agrivation for me. It can be done though, my first was with nothing more than a hack saw and some files.



Good luck,

William
 
Bart, you can make a good folder with the tools you have. Just buy precision ground 1/8" steel for the blade, precision ground 5/32" steel for the back strap, and use .015 teflon washers between the blade and liners/frames.I just bought some 440c and ats34 in the sizes I mentioned. Gonna use the 440c for the back strap and the ats for the blades. Being able to buy the precision ground steels in these thicknesses gets rid of the need for a surface grinder.As long as your drill press is set up square, you don't need a mill and you can buy pivots and thumb bobs so no need for a lathe. You'll atleast need a dremel for cutting the lock tab slot. The best tip I can give you is hand sand the flats of the folder parts on a hard flat surface. It's the only way I've found that doesn't roll the edges.If you need any help shoot me an email anytime.
 
I'll be damned L6 ... you just solved the whole how to get it flat thing.. it get's even better.. I have 5/32 D-2 and 440B, and I have 1/8 D-2 and talonite.
I even have the washers :D

Hmmm never looked at it that way.. just use a thicker spine, compensate for the blade and washers... Darn. That should be very excact fitting if the precision ground is as it should be.

Okie.. after a few months (weekend work only), you'll have me posting a folder pic.. It'll be ugly, but it'll work :D .

Thanks all ... if someone has more tips, post 'm .. L6 just made sure that I'm defenitely gonna try.

Thanks all. I really appreciate it.

greetz and take care, Bart.
 
Bart:
When I get your package and send out your knife, I will include a pivot and screws for you to use in your folder project.

Marcel
 
Hiya Marcel, Thanks in advance,

I added some extra stuff, as well as top-of-the-line chocolates (don't tell, they're on forbidden-to-export list).

I found out my washers are Stainless steel.. is that bad? I can always go and buy one of those POS liners, thay usually have teflon spacers.

Greetz and take care, Bart.
 
I think its more the size than the material that matters with the washers. Teflon is popular because it reduces friction. Phosphor bronze is also used. Whats really important is that they're the right thickness and the right inside and outside diameter.
Have fun.

Oh yeah, I started making knives for the same reason you did. Good knives cost a lot more than good materials, and besides they're fun to make. I could probably have bought a pretty nice folder by now for all the screw ups and final products that weren't quite what I wanted ;) but its going to be worth it.
 
Bart
Knifekits.com is the easiest way to learn. Make a kit , then redesign the knife you want after seeing how they are made.
Just a thought.
Most locking liners can be made with a dremal tool and a drill press if
you have the time time invest.
 
Yep, you can surely make a folder with what you've got...a copy of Terzuola's book (aka the "bible") will show you how he does/did things and is worth a read. I got started thinking that for the same price as a custom folder I could get set up to make my own....bwahahahahhaaaaahahaaaaahaaahhhhhaaaaha....ha....sob. :D
Feel free to mail me too if you get stuck or whatever...
 
Hey small furry one, what number are you on now?? I have number 6 thru 14 or 15 in the works. Muahahahahahahahaaaaaa!! :D
 
Heh heh, have stopped counting but have 10 to do to complete current orders...must take more time off work soon...
 
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