liner lock question

gull wing

gull wing

Joined
May 4, 2002
Messages
2,536
What thickness titanium do you use for liner locks?
I have couple of knives I am working on and am not getting a SOLID lock up.
In the past I have used .040" thick titanium with 3" long blades and have gotten good results.
I have recently received a new shipment of titanium which I thought to be .040" thick. I (after the fact) guaged the thickness and found it to be LESS than .040" thick. I suspect I need to use thicker material.What thickness do you recomend?
 
It depends on the pattern and size of the knife GW.
I tend to over do most things and make them bigger and stouter than necessary. I also generally make large folders so I use .060 ti for my liners.
The length and width you cut the lock tab will have a big effect on how strong the lock tab is. You have to balance the strength of the lock up with the ease of unlocking, thats a give and take scenario.
Did you order this ti from your usual supplier or a new one?
I only buy mine from Chuck Bybee.
Always received excellent product and service from Chuck.
 
I get mine from Halperns. Go with at least .050, I usually use .090 or even .100 for a bodacious knife.

I should add, that I have seen very nice solid work from Jot Singh Khalsa where he used .030 ti. If you are not getting good lockup then it probably is not the thickness of the material. Try checking your angle on the tang more carefully. It should be at least 7 degrees and up to 9 or so. Also make sure the lockface is as smooth and FLAT as you can get it. If you haven't already, check out Bob Terzuolas book for more detailed info.
 
Hey Peter.
Try doing a search for titanium sheet on ebay. I bought a piece .050 thick 20in X 36in and it was only $49.00. It was flat, and nice and clean, hardly any scratches. I think halpern charges $50 for 1 square foot.
 
They have a great deal going right now on some odd shaped pieces they acquired. I think it was something like $50 for 6 pieces each of which was about 1 square foot in size. The pieces were kind of crescent moon shaped, tons of good material and possibly even more completely usable than a square piece.
 
Thank you all for your input.
On a more carefull examination of the Ti, I found it does not "spring"
very well. This, I believe is the problem. If it does not spring, it cannot lock up. Plus it wobbles, not stable.
Anyway, you have convinced me to use thicker material. I will use a .050" thick piece for these knives. From now on I will check all new material. I will not use anything thinner than .040" for locks.
I suppose I could use the "other" material for clips.
In retro, I have never had Ti fail to "spring", I have even used .032" as clips and they were tough as ever.
 
I use .080 for the liners. If it isnt springy it may not be 6AL4V. Also the liner split should go in the direction of the writing and the back side.
 
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