Love to transition to Folders, but confused

[Bob Katilus]

Well, like many other knife makers, I am dabbling with the idea of transitioning from strictly fixed blades to folders (and fixed blades too). I read through Ray Rodgers walkthrough on how to make a liner lock, which was very good. I am still confused as to what the necessary parts are, especially regarding the pivot point. I assume a tapped pivot pin, with 2 screws are needed, along with a single washer (Teflon or bronze) in between the pin and each liner. Is this correct, or does the pivot pin need to go inside a bushing of some sort (K&G sells both Pivot pins and bushings, but the sizes do not seem to be compatible with each other). Because I haven’t made a folder as of yet, I am looking to start simple… I am afraid assisted opening features are not in my very near future. Any recomendations would be appreciated.

For the screws, which size and style do most people prefer? I was thinking about ordering 2-56 sized screws because I am looking to start with normal sized folders, but I won’t know if this size is normal until I get them in the mail. Button head vs. flat head, Phillips vs. Torx, dilemmas, dilemmas…

 

[Arthur Washburn]

I use two sizes of pivots 1/8 and 3/16. with the 1/8s get 2-56 button head torx and the 3/16s get 4-40 button heads torx. I use a barrel style like K & G sells. I make my own these days. I purchase stainless dowel pins (MSC lists them as 18-8 stainless) and drill and tap them on my lathe for the proper screws. I use a washer on each side between the blade and liner.

When it comes to the screws I hate allens because the smaller sizes just strip to easy. Whenever possible I order either a torx or spline head. You can usually get socket head, flat head and button head screws in the torx or spline configuration. On small knives I like a 0-80 socket head for the scales and blosters and to hold the frame together I use 0-80 flat heads with an 82 deg countersink. On large knives I like a 2-56 socket head for the scales and blosters and to hold the frame together I use 2-56 flat heads with an 82 deg countersink.

 

[joe9knives]

try jantz supply. their newest catalog has lots of screws. I use 2 56. I tried liner locks but mainly I do slip joints. I think they are slightly easier.

 

[Kevin Wilkins]

Get Bob Terzuola's book on making folders and save yourself a LOT of headaches! Mr. Terzuola lays it all out in plain text and pics.

 

[jhiggins]

Well, like many other knife makers, I am dabbling with the idea of transitioning from strictly fixed blades to folders (and fixed blades too). I read through Ray Rodgers walkthrough on how to make a liner lock, which was very good. I am still confused as to what the necessary parts are, especially regarding the pivot point. I assume a tapped pivot pin, with 2 screws are needed, along with a single washer (Teflon or bronze) in between the pin and each liner. Is this correct, or does the pivot pin need to go inside a bushing of some sort (K&G sells both Pivot pins and bushings, but the sizes do not seem to be compatible with each other). Because I haven’t made a folder as of yet, I am looking to start simple… I am afraid assisted opening features are not in my very near future. Any recomendations would be appreciated.

For the screws, which size and style do most people prefer? I was thinking about ordering 2-56 sized screws because I am looking to start with normal sized folders, but I won’t know if this size is normal until I get them in the mail. Button head vs. flat head, Phillips vs. Torx, dilemmas, dilemmas…

Hey Bob. Believe it or not, some of the finest folder-makers nowadays got their start from making kits. I recommend this if you are still struggling with the "innards" of a folder. I did a few back in the day. It really helped me get a good working knowledge of how a liner lock worked. I also recommend Peter Atwood's videos. He has a wonderful teaching style. He told me once that he didnt even have a script for his first video - it was totally off the cuff! Hard to believe, because I thought it was pretty good.

Oh, and most of us have spent our cash wisely in buying knives just to disassemble and scrutinize!

 

[fitzo]

.......I also recommend Peter Atwood's videos. He has a wonderful teaching style. ......

I agree both the folder and anodizing vid were excellent and enjoyable. I contacted Peter last week and unforunately he is no longer selling the vids.

 

[messinger]

I agree both the folder and anodizing vid were excellent and enjoyable. I contacted Peter last week and unforunately he is no longer selling the vids.

Wow. That's a shame! I'm very glad to have his framelock video. Every folder newbie should be so lucky as to have it.

-Ben

 

[Bob Katilus]

Thanks for all the input- great feedback as always. I was thinking about buying a kit, to do exactly what you were talking about Jeff. Looks like this will be in my future. Also, the Jantz catalog and Bob T.'s book were great to know.