Lock Bending Tool?

Brian Avila

Brian Avila

Joined
Jan 2, 2011
Messages
1,286
I was wondering if any folder makers use a specific tool that helps the bending process on their locks so that it is a nice smooth bend? Pictures?

-Brian-
 
I have only made 2 so far and I took a small piece of 2x4 to the bandsaw and cut a small slot in it and used that like a handle to bend it. I know there is a better way. Subscribed to this thread to see what it is.
 
Hello Brian. Who said it was to be a smooth bend if you meant all along? Here is how I do it. If the knife has a blade of about 3"- 3 1/2" the leaf should only be say 1 1/4"- 1 1/2" long. Place a single bend about 1/4" from the back end. You can easily do this with a slot cu in say a I/8" piece about 1/2" wide. Frank
 
I have been having a hard time finding the design relationships that I want to know about so I purchased the design video and then the basic folder making DVDs that Allen Elishewitz did with Chris Crawford. Allen used a bending tool that made the bend really smooth and it was arced.

Frank, what is the lock bar length to blade length ratio you use?
 
Page 102 of Bob T's book.

'The bend should be gradual and progressive, rather than having a kink in one spot'

The tool is the easiest part. Get a piece of wood/g10/micarta about 8 inches long, 1 inch wide and somewhere between 1/8 and 3/8 thick and cut a notch in it just thicker than your lockbar and just a little less wide.
With the liner/frame in a vice like Azbalisinging demonstrates, place the tool over the end of the lockbar and just push it perpendicular to the direction of the liner. It'll give you the smooth arc, the purpose of which is not to alter the angle of engagement of the lockbar.
 
If you use the material for the leaf - liner is about .060 or a little less doing a gradual curve will mean that when you go to remove the leaf out of the blade the curve of the leaf will come up against the scale. I haven't used scales that are thicker but I would expect to see the same prpblem created. A long leaf will also encourage this problem. Frank
 
Old time liner lock maker showed me a "T" wrench he had made . He had a slot cut in the foot of the "t"and would start at the end of the spring and gently twist a section until he got down to the base of the spring. He came out with a perfect curviture of the spring.
 
Hey, argel55 I'm a real ol' guy that makes only liner locks and I'm saying the curved leaf may work but it's also a way to make a big problem. And by the way, straightening out one of those curved leafs is a real "fun" job. To see some of my work please go to the custom knife gallery. Frank
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top