liner locks

K

knifemaker3

Joined
Dec 26, 1999
Messages
119
Hey guys!
I just got registered today for this forum. It's great!

I got a question. I am a fixed blade maker who wants to start making folders. Particullary liner locks.

Any suggestions on articles, book, etc. on how they are made?

Thanks,
Craig Blankenship
Blankenship Knives
 
Craig,
I'm sure that any of the makers, including myself, will help you in any way. All you have to do is ask the questions.
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Barry
Jones Knives
 
Craig,
Post your questions here. You will get more responses from different makers that way. The various opinions on how to do certain things will help you even more.
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Do a search in the shop talk forum on liner-locks. You will pick up a world of information.
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Hope this helps

Barry
Jones Knives
 
Some makers show how theyput their knives together in pretty good detail on their websites.
Also, go to www.spyderco.com . They have a section in their website that shows the basic pattern for a liner lock and a lock back.

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
Barry, thanks for the info. I will start posting my questions on here.

Matt, I looked up Spyderco's site. Thanks! It's cleared up alot about how they are made.

Question: I have a limited amount of basic tools, metalcutting bandsaw, drill press, and one worn out homemade sander and one small store bought sander. As I said earlier, I make fixed blades. Do I need to invest in say a mill and lathe in order to try my hand at liner locks? From the looks of what I've found so far, it is a must?

Thanks again!
Craig Blankenship
 
Craig,
I DO NOT own a lathe or a milling machine, yet I can and have made several liner-locks.
It will be long and boring for me to type out just how i did it. When I answer a specific question that you ask you will get the idea.

Barry
Jones Knives
 
I have just started trying lock backs. I don't have a mill, lathe, or a metal cutting bandsaw. Things go slowly and my work definitely isn't pretty, but I am getting by. I have found that a set of small needle files are a must, at least for lockbacks.Try it without the expensive equipment. doing it by hand will probably lead to one or two mistakes ( it did for me) but you will get the hang of it.I would try and find out what materials are the easiest to work by hand and use those for the first knife. ATS 34 is what I'm using for my lockbacks.It files and grinds pretty easily.I would try it for a blade steel to begin with.Good luck and have fun.

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
Thanks for the response and information guys. I'm going to have to get some supplies and try making a liner lock now!
Craig Blankenship
 
I have a pretty well equipped shop for making fixed blades. When I make folders, all of the precision work is done at my full time job. I use their Brigeport for making the fixtures, milling the liner locks and holding precise hole to hole locations. It is possible to make folders without lots of equipment. I would not consider making folders to sell untill I have a good milling machine in my shop.
My little Prazi Lathe does every thing I need as far as knife parts goes and it takes up very little space.
Neil

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[This message has been edited by Dr.Lathe (edited 27 December 1999).]
 
Craig,
I would recommend .050 as a minimum thickness for a heavy use knife. I have seen folders that had .080 liners.

Bruce,
You need to drill a blind hole just a hair oversize. Drop the ball into it and prick-punch around it to hold it in.

Hope this helps.

Barry
Jones Knives
 
Thanks Barry. I seen in Sheffields several different sizes and wasn't sure.

And thanks to Bruce for asking the question about the detent ball. I was wondering that myself, just hadn't got that far yet.

Craig Blankenship
 
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