Lateral folder, 3D CAD visualization

baxtrom

baxtrom

Joined
Jan 15, 2012
Messages
858
Hi fellow knife enthusiasts,
I've been playing around with a CAD tool I have at work, following the idea for a lateral folder that I briefly brought up in this thread. This is a conceptual lateral folder, currently without any locking mechanism. I imagine locking could be solved in a simple way.
Re strength in the in-blade-plane direction, I imagine it could be made pretty strong. In order to fail, the bolt would probably have to be sheared off. Regarding out-of-blade-plane direction, i.e. lateral direction, one could think about different simple but robust ways of locking the blade. And when folded, perhaps a simple magnetic lock could hold it in place.

I don't intend to squeeze into the knife business so this is just for fun. Any thoughts? Remember, be kind

Btw, working name is "Cut the crap" 🤪

Best
/D




Cut the crap 1.PNG

Cut the crap 2.PNG
 
It's an interesting concept. The issue with making something like this would be the material removal of the blade material. You would have to start with a lot more material to create the hinges. Also that area would need to be annealed so as to not be brittle when force is applied. Also you would need a one sided grind so that you don't have a sharp edge sticking out when folded.
 
Interesting.

1. You have to make one that opens for the other for the weirdos, err, lefties out there.
2. I'd vote no for magnetic lock.
3. Maybe a simple slide bolt on the outside? Find something more sleek than the knob sticking out. You could round it over so no rough edges and hide it under scales with just the finger part and slide area open.

00477466.jpg
 
Unless you are adding the hinges to the blade as a separate piece, I don't see how you make this without a lot of wasted steel. Also I don't like it because it's not even remotely symmetrical. I feel all the extra handle on one side might make cutting certain things more awkward. I get that it's fun to play with designs, but I just don't see any benefit in this particular instance.
 
baxtrom said:
Hi fellow knife enthusiasts,
I've been playing around with a CAD tool I have at work, following the idea for a lateral folder that I briefly brought up in this thread. This is a conceptual lateral folder, currently without any locking mechanism. I imagine locking could be solved in a simple way.
Re strength in the in-blade-plane direction, I imagine it could be made pretty strong. In order to fail, the bolt would probably have to be sheared off. Regarding out-of-blade-plane direction, i.e. lateral direction, one could think about different simple but robust ways of locking the blade. And when folded, perhaps a simple magnetic lock could hold it in place.

I don't intend to squeeze into the knife business so this is just for fun. Any thoughts? Remember, be kind

Btw, working name is "Cut the crap" 🤪

Best
/D




View attachment 1848808

View attachment 1848809
Click to expand...
could you use a magnet to both hold it open and closed?

one under the latch portion when it's open and one near where the blade tip rests when closed?

that's what I would do but I'm not very smart.

Very cool little knofe.
 
unwisefool said:
Unless you are adding the hinges to the blade as a separate piece, I don't see how you make this without a lot of wasted steel. Also I don't like it because it's not even remotely symmetrical. I feel all the extra handle on one side might make cutting certain things more awkward. I get that it's fun to play with designs, but I just don't see any benefit in this particular instance.
Click to expand...

ktataragasi said:
It's an interesting concept. The issue with making something like this would be the material removal of the blade material. You would have to start with a lot more material to create the hinges. Also that area would need to be annealed so as to not be brittle when force is applied. Also you would need a one sided grind so that you don't have a sharp edge sticking out when folded.
Click to expand...

I agree re the steel waste. One alternative possibility sketched below. Still obviously not symmetrical and without locking mechanism :)
Regarding the one-side grind, I think I would go for the handle having some form of ridge to protect one's fingers when folded.
Cut the crap 3.PNG
Cut the crap 4.PNG
Cut the crap 5.PNG
 
Interesting.

Locking won't be trivial. For a normal folder, the lock only takes little pressure for normal knife application. Your lock would be under pressure all the time.
 
ferider said:
Interesting.

Locking won't be trivial. For a normal folder, the lock only takes little pressure for normal knife application. Your lock would be under pressure all the time.
Click to expand...
Actually, I believe the locking mechanism on a lock back for example is highly stressed also during normal operation of the knife. In my lateral folder, the blade load during cutting is carried by the hinge as shear loads on the bolts. If used as a prying tool (i.e. sideways prying), my design is naturally strong in one direction but would need a strong locking mechanism in the other direction.
 
baxtrom said:
Aha, there seems to be a market! :)
Click to expand...

Many folks would buy one of those just because it was different, me included. It's just a neat, silly concept. I mean, a side opening knife? It's highly uncommon. The only ones I'm aware of, are the CRKT Hole in One, and Snap Lock, both of which are a tad more delicate looking than your proposed design. So yeah, it's pretty nifty.
 
baxtrom said:
Actually, I believe the locking mechanism on a lock back for example is highly stressed also during normal operation of the knife. In my lateral folder, the blade load during cutting is carried by the hinge as shear loads on the bolts. If used as a prying tool (i.e. sideways prying), my design is naturally strong in one direction but would need a strong locking mechanism in the other direction.
Click to expand...
Gonna need that strong lock for cutting too...if the knife isn't perfectly perpendicular to the surface, it'll want to buckle.
 
Quiet said:
Many folks would buy one of those just because it was different, me included. It's just a neat, silly concept. I mean, a side opening knife? It's highly uncommon. The only ones I'm aware of, are the CRKT Hole in One, and Snap Lock, both of which are a tad more delicate looking than your proposed design. So yeah, it's pretty nifty.
Click to expand...
yes I've seen the CRKT snap lock previously, it looks like some form of steam punk fantasy knife... and, like you point out, both look delicate. I want my design to be something one could use to punch through a car door or something :-D
 
jlauffer said:
Gonna need that strong lock for cutting too...if the knife isn't perfectly perpendicular to the surface, it'll want to buckle.
Click to expand...

Do you mean like if the hinge would be totally free? The intention is that when open, the back of the blade will come in contact with the handle and hence be constrained in that direction as shown below. A locking mechanism would take care of the other direction, i.e. unintended opening.

Cut the crap 6.PNG
 
baxtrom said:
Do you mean like if the hinge would be totally free? The intention is that when open, the back of the blade will come in contact with the handle and hence be constrained in that direction as shown below. A locking mechanism would take care of the other direction, i.e. unintended opening.

View attachment 1850047
Click to expand...
Right, similar to your prying example, it would be ok in one direction and need the lock in the other.
 
My folder opens laterally when I hold it sideways. But then I have to turn it by 90° to get any cutting done, so your concept is an improvement on that. :D (Seriously: pretty cool!)
 
I want to find a reason to hate this, but I'm struggling..... :)

The only concern I have is that the edge will still be proud of the handle when closed, even if it is only a mm or less. But that's enough to plane some skin off of places I don't need planing. :)

Perhaps (dare I say) a CHISEL grind, to get that edge right up against the handle when closed? Or mill a cutout in the handle to cradle the blade in a recessed area?
 
What about having the blade fold into the handle scale and fit flush so the cutting edge isn't exposed?
 
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