Kit Knife

[SteelSlaver]

A close friend wanted one of these so I reworked the blade, made a back spacer, file worked and made up some scales for it. It was fun and I learned a little about things like lining up the screw holes and working the scales. Not a fan of kits, but, not ready to do one of these on my own yet.

 

[Deweyknives]

Looks good,Jim.:thumbup: That's the only way I'd be able to accomplish a folder. May try one some day!

 

[SteelSlaver]

I have made a couple of kit knives and 2 complete lock back folders. The fit up just takes a lot of patients and time. Get a old lock back from a pawn shop or something take it apart and basically copy it. Make all the insides from the same piece of stock so the are all the same thickness and you can flat sand the blade and lock pivot a bit thinner after they are hard. they sell music wire for the spring at most hobby shops if you need some but, you can make that 2. I made the lock notch in the blade a bit small and just kept filing it a little at a time with a diamond file and putting it back together and trying it. I had glued all the pins in one side while I played with it. They were all a bit long and a bit tapered on the outside. Then when it all fit and worked I filed them down a bit and went to tapping with a small hammer.

I will do a complete button lock one day. I am just learning Jim

 

[scottickes]

Jim,
Nice knife.

I taught myself how to make folders, by buying kit knives and then instead of using them for the knife parts, I used them as patterns only.

I reproduced all of the parts with the types of materials that I wanted to use. I eventually began making minor tweaks to some of the designs and then later major tweaks, until I was making my own designs from the lessons I learned from the kit knives. I still have a bunch of kit knives still in pieces in a drawer, in case I decide to get back into folders.

Take the plunge when you're ready! I've seen your work and you'll make fine folders, of your own design, once you decide that you can.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

The work you did looks good.

 

[stephen5]

Nice job. Beautiful filework.:thumbup:

 

[SteelSlaver]

Thanks all, The main parts to make one of these from scratch would be the liners and bolsters. The button I could do with a lathe. Getting the cut outs in the liners and bolsters for the lock slide, Pivot pin, spring recess and the button holes all line up perfectly is beyond my ability right now. I keep working with my mill and I am getting the hang of it, The little slide stops cut with a 1/16 mill look difficult, I think it might be better to do them with small slitting saw. I have put 2 of these together and have learned a bit on each. Much trickier than lock backs and liner locks. I think a lock back with a button release would not be too bad. But then you also need to figure out how to put a lock on the button release. This is part takes a bit even on the kits. It is also very necessary. At Blade West I forgot to lock mine and it came part way open in my pocket and when I reached in to drag it out and show it off I really sliced the tip of my finger. (razor sharp of course. Was near Chuck Richards was there and helped me keep the bleeding down and get a bandage on it DUHHHHHHHHH Thanks again Chuck.