Japanese White Steel Kiridashi Frame Lock

[STR]

I guess when looking at some old jobs I did using the Kiridashi white steel blades from Japan Wood Worker it got to me the other day because after pulling those old photos up and going over them again I could never stop thinking about them after that. I knew when I pulled those old jobs out that I had done some neat stuff in the past but this one involving the Japan Wood Worker Kiridashi White Steel blade was one of the ones I really thought stood out to me as one of the neater things I got myself into. I guess its just the blending of the old world craftsmanship of a hammer forged blade which I really like the looks of with a modern style folder that appeals to me but it may also be related to just how well these blades perform. They cut like a dream and can get incredibly sharp. At 64 Rockwell hardness they tend to keep the edge a while too so thats always good.

I tried initially to just buy or trade for the first one I did back in 2006. I contacted the customer that bought it from me and after he confirmed he still had it I made my offer but he respectfully declined after thinking it over for a couple days and told me he did not wish to let it go. Its shown in the picture side by side with the original model by the ruler in the link below to show what you get as it ships from JWW. I guess I should be thrilled that a customer loves my work enough to hang on to it rather than sell it, even if its back to me but fortunately for my situation I had other options! Anyway, this here knife is the last of the three Japan Wood Worker knives I bought and as you may notice looking it over this one is a left hand grind whereas the other two in this link http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=416785 are right hand grind models.

All of these traditional craft knives are one side grind blades but don't let that fool you. Just like the Emerson folders which are also chisel grinds in a lot of cases, they sure do cut well and come lethal sharp! Japan Wood Worker makes right or left handed ones so I tried some of each when I bought them. This one being the left over that no one was interested in when I was making them, just sat in an ammo can for the last four years or more until the other day when I got it out and decided to revamp it too! Unlike the other two that were built back in 2006 this one is done in titanium slabs on both sides. And instead of a spacer of micarta or G10 in the rear I used fancy stand offs in the rear on this one, and equipped the blade with phosphorus bronze washers, a fancy thumb stud and an early lock up.

This folder weighs in at 3 ounces for weight making it a great choice for everyday carry. The slabs are .095 thickness each side compared to .125 for those first ones and the pivot is 3/16 on this one compared to 1/8" on the last ones. The blade is 3.125" when opened for this Kiridashi folder and it has a closed length of 4 and 3/8". As you can see I equppped this one with a standard style custom made titanium pocket clip for tip up carry rather than a low rider. Its kind of funny I guess that I make a ton of low rider clips for users knives but when it comes to what I use for myself I seem to like the standard style better and since this folder is mine I set it up as I liked. As always you can click any picture here to fully enlarge it for a better zoom in of the details. The sun was going down some when I took these so I hope they show up okay for folks. Thanks for stopping by.
STR

 

[Cotherion]

I would so love one of these with your He-Man framelock setup. Any plans on making more?

 

[STR]

Actually I do want to do more of them yes. I think they are among the coolest little folders I've done personally. So, no worries. :thumbup:

STR

 

[STR]

I would so love one of these with your He-Man framelock setup. Any plans on making more?

I just got an email alert from Japan Woodworker and they now offer these in a true V grind called their double bevel craft knife. It has that hammered look on both sides and I've ordered three of them. So one of yours will be the first true V grind I've done using one of these blades. Should be very nice. Heck the one side grind ones are very cool but a true V may make me jealous.

I started your folder a while back and have it on the way as far as the build and lining things up so hopefully here before too long you'll be hearing from me that I have one ready to go out to Malaysia to pay a visit to you and your BUSSTR folder. :thumbup:

STR

 

[Cotherion]

Hope it's laminated, will be excellent if it is

The one you are almost done with, it's the one I ordered earlier in the He-Man thread?

 

[STR]

Yeah, well I wouldn't say 'almost done' but its started yes. The White paper steel blades are all two piece laminated or rather forge welded blades using a high carbon for the blade and a tougher harder use low carbon steel for the spine yes.

STR

 

[Cotherion]

In that case is it still possible to change to one of the chisel and one of the v-grind? If not I'm fine with one original and one v-grind laminate.

Low riders for both please. Tip down on lock side thanks.

 

[STR]

I'm lost now. PM sent.

STR

 

[Cotherion]

Touchdown! STR, got to say that these are as excellent as you said! Shaved arm hair and after stropping it treetopped hairs!

The forged look is really nice as well as the cool curved opposite surface. Lockup is strong and no play. Surprising with no lock relief that it's still easy to unlock. Would've expected to use a lot of thumb strength.

Very comfy handle and lowrider is... low

I'm pleased. You have any thicker blade v-grind he-mans on the works? Don't suppose they have it in laminated steel as well

I see that the stop pin in one of your folders is screwed type. Any pros or cons to that setup?

 

[STR]

I used screw type for years. Just recently went to the press fit but they are specific for size. The one you saw that had the screw type was one that I had already drilled the holes in long before switching so I was forced to use what the slabs were prepped for. I can do it either way and either way works just fine. Some peolple like the shoulder type which is why I ordered some. Others prefer screws. Its really just a matter of preference.

I have one V grind blade left and I figure eventually I will do it in another frame lock. No telling when as I'm slowly winding down from my knife making spurt here. I've made 12 here in the last two weeks just kind of going after it when I can. I can't say I'm really as happy with the actions of the V grind blades as the one side smooth models such as yours. I'm glad you got it safely and like it though.

STR

 

[Cotherion]

I'm interested in a Busstr with thick g10 scales but with a slight difference. I'd like the pivot pin to be the same thickness as for the He-man folders. I'll take the V-grind kiridashi.

Secondly if you remember I mentioned last time regarding the angle of the blade tang contact to lockbar, what was your common angle and whats ur maximum angle? I can't remember for the life of me.

I'd like the big ball bearing please. While you're at it, don't suppose you can make two ball bearings in the folder with each travelling in a different path? In time it'll wear on the soft outer layer until both balls are having same contact with the blade (basically it'll be super smooth over time).

The usual with the low rider at lock side and tip down. I understand if you have run out of steam or if the blade is reserved already. Thought I'll catch you when your still motivated

If you're game then please quote me how much it'll be. With regards to G10 i'll decide based on what you have available. Just let me know what you have in the same thickness. Shipping I'll assume it's the same as the last time.

Tq.

 

[Cotherion]

BTW, please tell ur missus that the little bag is a delight and the stitching is very nicely done. However not using it to carry the He-Man u sold me, it's carrying me MP3 recorder

 

[STR]

I'm interested in a Busstr with thick g10 scales but with a slight difference. I'd like the pivot pin to be the same thickness as for the He-man folders. I'll take the V-grind kiridashi.

Secondly if you remember I mentioned last time regarding the angle of the blade tang contact to lockbar, what was your common angle and whats ur maximum angle? I can't remember for the life of me.

I'd like the big ball bearing please. While you're at it, don't suppose you can make two ball bearings in the folder with each travelling in a different path? In time it'll wear on the soft outer layer until both balls are having same contact with the blade (basically it'll be super smooth over time).

The usual with the low rider at lock side and tip down. I understand if you have run out of steam or if the blade is reserved already. Thought I'll catch you when your still motivated

If you're game then please quote me how much it'll be. With regards to G10 i'll decide based on what you have available. Just let me know what you have in the same thickness. Shipping I'll assume it's the same as the last time.

Tq.

Actually other than the clip orientation and the liner lock this one in Ranger green is available if you want it. It has the bigger ball, and the same pitch angle as all of my liner locks these days which is right between 7 to 8 degrees. I'm not sure what you mean about the pivot because the pivot on yours in the Kiridashi is a 3/16" and so are the rest of the He-Man models. No big deal though. I did use bigger head screws on yours though that were the only two like them I had at the time. I'm not even sure where they came from to buy more of them.

Anyway, if you want the one I have done already let me know. If not thats fine too. I'm breaking from the shop at the moment but if the mood should strike again I may be back out there doing another. Just can't tell at the moment.

STR

 

[STR]

BTW, please tell ur missus that the little bag is a delight and the stitching is very nicely done. However not using it to carry the He-Man u sold me, it's carrying me MP3 recorder

Will do. She does a great job on those. I tell her that all the time. Thanks :thumbup:

STR

 

[Cotherion]

Cool, I'll wait. I'm in no rush, worth waiting for a good folder. Let me know when the STR engine starts revving up again.

Thanks again Steve.

 

[STR]

Cool, I'll wait. I'm in no rush, worth waiting for a good folder. Let me know when the STR engine starts revving up again.

Thanks again Steve.

Okay then no problem. I'm enjoying using this green one anyways.

I'll put your name on the remaining V grind blade I have left though. :thumbup:
I figured out what you meant about the pivot. Guess I was tired. Also, there is barely room for one ball in the lock on these so two is really iffy.
STR

 

[Cotherion]

Took out the kiridashi to help cut some belts for factory workers since the office got the new supplies in. First we must cut the belts to roughly correct size then send it to be affixed the metal thingys on both ends. It's the type which has no holes or pins.

Volunteered the kiridashi folder when first the scissors failed and then the retractable penknife failed. The kiridashi wouldn't stop cutting! Smooth and effortless and all it needed after was some stropping to hair popping sharp! Got many praises and admirers! Nice blade STR

 

[STR]

Took out the kiridashi to help cut some belts for factory workers since the office got the new supplies in. First we must cut the belts to roughly correct size then send it to be affixed the metal thingys on both ends. It's the type which has no holes or pins.

Volunteered the kiridashi folder when first the scissors failed and then the retractable penknife failed. The kiridashi wouldn't stop cutting! Smooth and effortless and all it needed after was some stropping to hair popping sharp! Nice blade STR

I wish I could take credit for the blade. That excellent cutting prowess is part of what I noticed when I bought my first one of these white steel 'folding craft knives' from the Japan Wood Worker Catalog. Problem was I hated the handle and lock mechanism finding the whole thing cumbersome and awkward if not dangerous to operate. The idea was there and I liked the folder thing but the handle as shipped had to go! Not only for the reasons stated but it was uncomfortable as hell in the hand to even use it the way that lock rocker arm sticks up into your palm during use and I just knew that blade deserved better. Thats when I sacrificed the first blade in my attempt to give it a new updated and improved design knowing that if I failed it meant I ruined the potential for using it. It was worth the effort I think and my new version gives that blade a much better format to do what it does best which is perform!

I wish I had bought a store load of these white steel folders back when they were still $29.95 plus shipping. Heck even when they went up to $31.45 it would have been okay. Two of them ran me $87 and some change recently so the cost has gone up considerably since my first ones but I guess thats no big surprise as everything else has gone up in price too. Anyway, I'm glad its performing great for you. :thumbup:

STR

 

[Cotherion]

Update.

I tell you this white steel kiridashi is the best. Time and time again it stepped in when the snap off retractables have failed. The chisel grind only needs some stropping occasionally and the traditional Japanese forge steel look is classy indeed.

The He-Man lock is solid and though does not possess the conventional lockbar relief cutout, it is easy to disengage

I have to say, I love this folder, cuts like a laser and framelock is reassuring and solid feeling

 

[STR]

Thank you. You know thats funny because I was just carrying and using that last one I did with the green G10 scales for the last few days and was telling my wife how well it did. I don't think I have another knife in my entire collection that has less perceived effort when using it. The thing just flat out works and I do kind of chuckle that even with a whole collection of the latest and greatest super steel blades this old world craftsmanship hand forged Japanese blade is still the best. :thumbup:

STR