last minute cracks

Bruce Bump

Bruce Bump

Joined
Dec 2, 1999
Messages
9,910
I made my #002 slip joint and used mammoth for the scales. Everything went very well until I peened the spring pin. I must have spread the pin just a bit too much because there are small cracks on each scale. At least I'm consistent because they both look exactly alike. I think I will carry it and use the heck out of it. Cant sell it this way.

I just want to tell somebody who cares:(
 
sorry dude that sucks I hate it when you have to put in 90% of the work before the one vital task that will break it
 
Bruce,

I can so relate to this. I have had more than one piece of stone crack during the polishing phase.....
 
Bruce it is easy to fix just change the scales (LOL) im sure that entered your thought's after you noticed the crack ..yes it suck's !! but at least it cracked on you and not the customer ..now you get a couple of unexpected ivory spacers (he he ) im sure you will feel better after you replace those scales .
Ya know i have a lot of respect for ya !! you are a perfectionist so you will not let those scales stop you from perfection .. i was looking for ya at Bladewest couldnt find ya ..
 
Bruce,

My number #1 cracked - stag - :(

My number#2 turned out OK?

Keep going they are a CHALENGE...... :)

Later,

Todd



.
 
Will a little bcraop comes to us all once in a while. I had two bad pieces of Damascus in blades I was making within a ten day period. Frank
P.S. I'll just bet itwas a lovely piece of work too !!! I enjoy so much all your work even in pictures. Frank
 
At least show us the pics Bruce! *cough* College students on college student budgets would probably be okay with a Bruce Bump folder with extra character... *cough*

Just kidding; I'm really sorry to hear about this, especially with mammoth! I really would like to see pictures though, I love your work!
 
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Thanks guys, I do feel somewhat better. Its a nice folder too. I dont want to replace the scales just yet. I'll make another knife and test this one as an EDC.

Todd if you dont mind me asking...how do you prepare the holes when you have to swell the pin in ivory. This could easily happen again. I tapered the 3/32" hole and gently peened. Should I have drilled the ivory oversize to account for the shank of the pin swelling?

I will try to get a picture or two when the sun comes out.
 
Pinoy Knife said:
Bruce it is easy to fix just change the scales (LOL) im sure that entered your thought's after you noticed the crack ..yes it suck's !! but at least it cracked on you and not the customer ..now you get a couple of unexpected ivory spacers (he he ) im sure you will feel better after you replace those scales .
Ya know i have a lot of respect for ya !! you are a perfectionist so you will not let those scales stop you from perfection .. i was looking for ya at Bladewest couldnt find ya ..
Click to expand...

Hi Matt, We went to the Chicago Show and spent a fortune. It was sure fun though. Thanks for the kind words. Things like this remind me that I'm still human.
 
Dang sorry to hear about that Bruce. Nature of the beast unfortunately. I don't know how everyone else does it but I have started using NS pins in the softer materials and reaming the hole with a tapered reamer. I use it from the back side of the scale first but not a lot just enough so that the pin doesn't touch the material where it meets the liner it gives it a little bit of wiggle room. then the out side as well to give the pin some place to expand to but again not a lot. It has worked for me so far (fingers crossed). I'm working on a 2 blade trapper now with Preban scales.
 
Rusty McDonald said:
Dang sorry to hear about that Bruce. Nature of the beast unfortunately. I don't know how everyone else does it but I have started using NS pins in the softer materials and reaming the hole with a tapered reamer. I use it from the back side of the scale first but not a lot just enough so that the pin doesn't touch the material where it meets the liner it gives it a little bit of wiggle room. then the out side as well to give the pin some place to expand to but again not a lot. It has worked for me so far (fingers crossed). I'm working on a 2 blade trapper now with Preban scales.
Click to expand...

Good tip about the wriggle room. I think thats what happened is the pin expanded against the ivory. I was carefull about just filling the the area around the pin but didnt think about the pin shaft expanding too much.

These slip joints are challenging.
 
Bruce,

I have been putting the center/spring pivot under my scales and then using screws to attach the scales. this saves the scales from any peenning forces. It dosen't look stricktly traditional but it does look clean and I like it.
 
Bill Burke said:
Bruce,

I have been putting the center/spring pivot under my scales and then using screws to attach the scales. this saves the scales from any peenning forces. It dosen't look stricktly traditional but it does look clean and I like it.
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That certainly solves the problem. I was going for traditional but after observing hundreds of the the old pocket knives I see many of them are cracked from the same thing mine suffers from. The scales are bound to move around in time and cause problems. Synthetic materials would help but I love the natural bones and ivories allot.
 
Years ago, I sent an ivory handle 'sunfish' slipjoint to a guy up north. After 6 months of winter, he called and said all the pins had cracks around them. We decided to scrimshaw a design around each pin. Looked good and hid the cracks.

I use pins and screws, the screws sure do eliminate a bunch of problems.
 
Don Hanson III said:
Years ago, I sent an ivory handle 'sunfish' slipjoint to a guy up north. After 6 months of winter, he called and said all the pins had cracks around them. We decided to scrimshaw a design around each pin. Looked good and hid the cracks.

I use pins and screws, the screws sure do eliminate a bunch of problems.
Click to expand...

Well thats it, 2 mastersmiths telling me the same thing. I guess I need to use screws too. Or...learn to scrimshaw :D

Here is a couple shots of the folder. Can you see the grand canyon radiating from the center pins?



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But, a good many slipjoint buyers like pins and don't care for screws.
On top of that, they must be nearly perfect, or wont get a second look.
Ha ha, there is nothing about slipjoints that's easy.

Great looking folder, Bruce!!!!
 
Wow, it is beautiful. I'm sorry about the scalees... But someone like me would be very pleased as it is...
 
galadduin said:
Wow, it is beautiful. I'm sorry about the scalees... But someone like me would be very pleased as it is...
Click to expand...

I decided to just pack it around myself and see how it performs. If I sold it I just know it will come back and bite me in the butt someday.
 
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