I'm still pretty new to this knife making thing...but I really wanted to make a folder. This is my 1st attempt. The blade is O-1 tool steel and the handles are 6061 aluminum, the liner is .040 stainless. The blade is parkerized (I've had some experience with that), and the handles are anodized (I haven't had experience with that.. but I'm learning). The blade is 2-3/4", O.A.L. is 6-7/8. I know...the thumb stud is missing
....I forgot to order one, it will be added later.
I'm going to redo the anodizing, it was supposed to be much darker. I used steel alligator clips to hold the pieces and they dissolved before the process was complete and the aluminum wouldn't absorb much dye. It was very challenging and rewarding to make. I really need to work on my grinding technique, the way I chose to do the blade was really beyond my present ability to do well. Fortunately, parkerizing is a very forgiving finish
.
A couple of thoughts for any new makers like me considering making a folder:
1) Buy and read Bob Terzoula's book "The Tactical Folding Knife".
2) Read it again.
3) Take you time making a pattern and try to work out as many problems as you can with the pattern, it will save you many headaches later on. I'll spend more time on mine next time.
4) I had never drilled and tapped small holes before, 1-72, I have a couple of import sets of number drills, and they are not all the same size for any given number. Try your drill/tap combination on a piece of scrap to see what works best for you. I recently picked up a small hand tapping machine...highly recommended.
5) I couldn't make accurate enough holes with my HF drill press, although I had excellent results using the Grizzly mini mill.
6) If you try anodizing aluminum at home and use a suluric acid solution, don't rely on the formula commonly available. Buy a hydrometer (battery tester, $3 at auto parts store) and mix for a specific gravity of 1.5 to 1.8 (did I mention not to use steel clips? use aluminum wire). Mix small quantities in a small container placed in a larger container filled with cold water to keep the mixture cool. (thought I was going to melt the bucket for a while
)
Patrick

I'm going to redo the anodizing, it was supposed to be much darker. I used steel alligator clips to hold the pieces and they dissolved before the process was complete and the aluminum wouldn't absorb much dye. It was very challenging and rewarding to make. I really need to work on my grinding technique, the way I chose to do the blade was really beyond my present ability to do well. Fortunately, parkerizing is a very forgiving finish

A couple of thoughts for any new makers like me considering making a folder:
1) Buy and read Bob Terzoula's book "The Tactical Folding Knife".
2) Read it again.
3) Take you time making a pattern and try to work out as many problems as you can with the pattern, it will save you many headaches later on. I'll spend more time on mine next time.
4) I had never drilled and tapped small holes before, 1-72, I have a couple of import sets of number drills, and they are not all the same size for any given number. Try your drill/tap combination on a piece of scrap to see what works best for you. I recently picked up a small hand tapping machine...highly recommended.
5) I couldn't make accurate enough holes with my HF drill press, although I had excellent results using the Grizzly mini mill.
6) If you try anodizing aluminum at home and use a suluric acid solution, don't rely on the formula commonly available. Buy a hydrometer (battery tester, $3 at auto parts store) and mix for a specific gravity of 1.5 to 1.8 (did I mention not to use steel clips? use aluminum wire). Mix small quantities in a small container placed in a larger container filled with cold water to keep the mixture cool. (thought I was going to melt the bucket for a while

Patrick