Long Pulls... is there anyone who still punches their long pulls?

[Tiaan Burger]

A fellow knifemaker posted a "how-to" question on long pulls on our local (South African) knife forum, sablade.com, and Ken Erickson answered with a detailed description of how he cuts long pulls. He mentioned that in the olden days long pulls were punched. Being a former blacksmith and now making sliplocks for a living I thought about this and how I can apply it to my own knives.
The obvious problem is that the steel is moved sideways along the length of the mark. This means that the long pull can not be punched close to the spine, as the spine will bulge outwards along the punched pull. It would rather be punched about 1/4" away from the edge of the billet and the blade marked and cut to have the long pull in its correct position.
Is my assumption wrong? I would love to hear how this was done or is still done if there is anybody who still does it in the traditional way.
(I don't know if this is the correct forum for this, but I have learned that collectors often have a better idea of what is going on in the area they are passionate about than us makers, who tend to think only about the next few knives we plan to make.)

 

[richstag]

I don't know exactly. I do remember seeing a knife, maybe lanny's clip, by one of the top top makers on here (maybe KH). If I remember it had a matchstrike longpull. Again, if memory serves, I remember it being said the maker made a die to stamp it.

Is this what you mean?

 

[supratentorial]

You might be thinking of Kerry Hampton.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/565806-Kerry-Hampton-Knives?p=10883759#post10883759

...a knife with match-striker pull. I made a tool to punch the pull with a press and coaxed it with heat. The Lanny's Clip is a natural for this type of pull. The blade is 52100.

....

 

[richstag]

That's the one! Thanks Jake!

 

[lambertiana]

If you punch the pull before you do the final blade finish, you won't see the raised steel around it that was moved by punching it. I believe that is how the factory knives were done. Eye Brand still uses long pulls that have to be punched, the blades are drop forged and the long pull is put in with the drop forge die.

 

[Tiaan Burger]

Thanks! Using a press makes sense as one has better control than with a hammer. I'll have to do some experimenting.

 

[Steven65]

Thanks! Using a press makes sense as one has better control than with a hammer. I'll have to do some experimenting.

Tiaan how about posting up some pics here of your current Guild projects so the lads can see your work?

 

[Tiaan Burger]

Steven, I have to pay the membership fees first, got my knuckles rapped a few weeks ago! In the mean time I look at all the pretty pictures and read and read... way too much good information!

Maybe they can follow the link under your name...

 

[avoidspam]

There's a joke in here somewhere.......

 

[Tiaan Burger]

No joke, but I finally paid my dues via Paypal. This means some pics of old work is on its way...

 

[Steven65]

Tiaan if you want me to help you lift the photo threads from SABlade to here just PM me.

 

[johnny twoshoes]

Hey Guys, I was talking with Mr. Howard's son, Bill, he said that GEC punches their long pulls.
Just another way GEC is making a better knife.

 

[Bigfattyt]

The long pulls on my GEG look great. You can tell they are not cut. Smooth buttery edges. They are very plesant on the fingernails!