Making an AEB-L liner lock

T

Triple Stripe Knives

Joined
Apr 24, 2020
Messages
81
Hi,

I've looked around on the forum (and used the search engine), but I can't find anything conclusive on stainless liner locks.

I saw a post by blkspade99, which opened up some questions for me:

1. When do you bend the lock bar? If you do it pre HT, then won't it get bent back by the plate quench? Will it be able to be bent post HT? I've seen oil quenched Nitro-V, so could I bend it and then do an oil quench?

2. When do you put in the detent ball? I'm planning to use 1/16 440C balls from Knifekits, so won't having the detent in during HT for the AEB-L mess up the HT on the 440C? But will you be able to get the ball to go in if the lock bar is hard?

3. Is 50 hrc about what I want for the lock bar?

Thanks!
 
But this book: https://www.terzuola.net/product-page/terzuola-book-expanded-version

It'll be the best investment you can make on liner lock knives.

A small sheet of .060'' titanium can be had surprisingly cheap if you can swing it.

On AEB-L, you'll have no choice but to set the bend after heat treat by over bending. I would shoot softer, around 42-46Rc, and drill the detent ball hole when it's hard and everything is fitted properly.
 
Titianium is very similarly priced to Aebl in thicknesses used for a liner lock. When you add in the requirements to heat treat stainless AEBL is more expensive than titanium to use in liner locks
 
Daniel Carraher said:
Titianium is very similarly priced to Aebl in thicknesses used for a liner lock. When you add in the requirements to heat treat stainless AEBL is more expensive than titanium to use in liner locks
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Where are you getting your Titanium? I'm in Canada and can't find small quantities of thin titanium anywhere. I've found 1/16"x1.5"x12" AEB-L for 13.50 CAD, and I have a friend who can heat treat for me, so I doubt I can get Ti for that little.
 
Triple Stripe Knives said:
Where are you getting your Titanium? I'm in Canada and can't find small quantities of thin titanium anywhere. I've found 1/16"x1.5"x12" AEB-L for 13.50 CAD, and I have a friend who can heat treat for me, so I doubt I can get Ti for that little.
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Alphaknifesupply sells standard grade titanium in .055”x2”x11.6” for $10.60 USD or roughly the same as you’d be paying for AEBL. .050” thick pieces are $9.60 USD. There’s lots of other sources as well
 
Daniel Carraher said:
Alphaknifesupply sells standard grade titanium in .055”x2”x11.6” for $10.60 USD or roughly the same as you’d be paying for AEBL. .050” thick pieces are $9.60 USD. There’s lots of other sources as well
Click to expand...

I've already ordered the AEB-L, and buying something from AKS requires a $50 minimum order, and the shipping is expensive. But since I can't use ti, do you have any tips for stainless?
 
If not clamped between quench plates the AEBL will most likely come out of the oven shaped like a banana. If I was doing it I would temper it down in hardness and set the bend after heat treating. Trying to keep that liner straight with the bend set would be a nightmare.
 
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