Making my first folder(s) Comments wanted.

Carl_First_Timer

Carl_First_Timer

Joined
Dec 6, 2010
Messages
1,154
I plan to make one, or more liner locks. I have a good idea how they work, and have a solid modeling program at my disposal to design and create the blade shape/geometry.

I have a few questions:

1. What are the main pitfalls you all have come across designing/making liners?

2. Is a fighting liner a bad idea even with the handle covering the edges?

3. Is there a law against a fighter blade in a folding knife? I live in CA, and folders are fine, and I did not see anything against one in the laws.

I'll be thankful for any responses.
 
My reply is have you made any knives before? You should find a work in progress (WIP) and use that. You are asking soooo much here it just can't be handled well to help you. Did you read the "stickys" at the top of the page? I am trying to help and not scare you off. I only make liner locks and would be most pleased to answer particular questions like what material do you use for the liners and how thick is is? Frank
 
I would read this book first

It's getting expensive now, it's still worth it.

613HTN5CAHL._SS500_.jpg

The Tactical Folding Knife: A Study of the Anatomy and Construction of the Liner-Locked Folder [Paperback]


http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6451165&postcount=9
 
Frank Niro said:
My reply is have you made any knives before? You should find a work in progress (WIP) and use that. You are asking soooo much here it just can't be handled well to help you. Did you read the "stickys" at the top of the page? I am trying to help and not scare you off. I only make liner locks and would be most pleased to answer particular questions like what material do you use for the liners and how thick is is? Frank
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Thanks for your reply. I have gone and committed one of my biggest pet peeves, asking for info assuming everyone knows what is in my thoughts.

Let me start off by saying, I am a tool and die designer/maker so I do have the skills and understanding of mechanisms. Along with the dimensioning, and tolerances involved with them.

As far as knifes go, I've made this only. 1095 steel.
SNC00191.jpg


I'm currently in progress working on a pair of 0-1 Chef knives.

So far I have the mechanism planned out, nothing else.
The pin will stop perfectly in both the closed and opened position.
The liner will lock in the opened position.
The detent ball should work.
 
12345678910 said:
I would read this book first

It's getting expensive now, it's still worth it.
Click to expand...

I might just do that. I didn't want to have to fork over that kind of money for a book though. How much did it used to cost?

Thanks for the PDF link.
 
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Quote: "1. What are the main pitfalls you all have come across designing/making liners?"

For me the main pitfall is the fact that I would much rather make a fixed blade knife than a folder.


Quote: "2. Is a fighting liner a bad idea even with the handle covering the edges?"

Given what I said above, yea, I think it's a bad idea but others probably would think it's a great idea.


Quote: 3. Is there a law against a fighter blade in a folding knife? I live in CA, and folders are fine, and I did not see anything against one in the laws.

What constitutes a "fighter" blade as compared with any other blade? Just call it a "friendly disagreement" blade and there should be no problem.


Quote: "I'll be thankful for any responses."

Be careful for what you ask for. That's the problem with the Internet, anyone can get on and say anything they want. I hope I've been of helpful.

Seriously, I wish you the best of luck. And if you listen to ME you'll need a LOT of luck! ;-)

LonePine
AKA Paul Meske, Wisconsin
 
lonepine said:
3. Is there a law against a fighter blade in a folding knife? I live in CA, and folders are fine, and I did not see anything against one in the laws.

What constitutes a "fighter" blade as compared with any other blade? Just call it a "friendly disagreement" blade and there should be no problem.

LonePine
AKA Paul Meske, Wisconsin
Click to expand...

That was funny!
 
With Frank Niro Offering help. I'd jump on that, If it the same frank Niro as I;m thinking about, He's a master folder maker, love his stuff
 
I lived in deadwood city many years ago, There are a couple of online tutorials a really good one in at this link

http://howellbladesmith.com/index.php?BODY=liner1

The most difficult part is getting the lock just right and getting the detent ball set. With machine skills you should be able to tackle this.

California does not care what type of knife it is as long as the blade in less than 3 1/2" and is not an auto. We have not seen the NY craze over one handed opening as of yet.

I dont know what a fighting liner is but if its what motivates you to make knives go for it.

Good Luck
 
Patrickknives said:
I lived in deadwood city many years ago.
Click to expand...

Ahh the "secret handshake" of Redwood City residents. ;)

Patrickknives said:
California does not care what type of knife it is as long as the blade in less than 3 1/2" and is not an auto. We have not seen the NY craze over one handed opening as of yet.

I dont know what a fighting liner is but if its what motivates you to make knives go for it.

Good Luck
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I meant a fighter style knife w/locking liner. I have some 440-C Annealed laying around. Not gonna use it for anything customer related.
 
I agree with The Count, get Bob T's book. Yes it is expensive but it will save you much more in wasted time and materials. With your machine skills Bob's book will make more sense than most others because his approach is very methodical. I like it that way.
Most of all, with Frank Niro offering to help, by all means pick his brain. Look up some of his work.

Sean
 
I've got the book mentioned above and have about 10 liner locks under my belt at this time. That book alone saved me soooo much aggregation.
Cw
 
For sure I will try to help if you ask here or email me at niro@telus .net but remember it's only on liner locks. You can see some of my work at the customknifegallery.com Go to Don Robinson's site. He has a book that cover several folders and another just for slip joints . I have them all. They are very good and not expensive I believe around $25.If you think I'm helpful you should know Don is a real "giver".
 
Frank Niro said:
For sure I will try to help if you ask here or email me at niro@telus .net but remember it's only on liner locks. You can see some of my work at the customknifegallery.com Go to Don Robinson's site. He has a book that cover several folders and another just for slip joints . I have them all. They are very good and not expensive I believe around $25.If you think I'm helpful you should know Don is a real "giver".
Click to expand...

I appreciate the comments and help offered. They made me pause before diving into this project. By the way, you do beautiful work. For a purely working knife what blade steel would you recommend?

I have started to read The Tactical Folding Knife, and am glad I did. I saw the part about 440-C not being so good for holding an edge. Much more reading to do, then I'll get started.
 
Well I recommend CPM154 or CPMS35VN for a knife that's to be used It grinds nicely and does the same for cutting.
There is a "newer maker" who has pretty much the same credentials as you who started off doing a folder. He did a WIP (work in progress) in another forum. He ended up with a great folder. Frank
 
Frank Niro said:
Well I recommend CPM154 or CPMS35VN for a knife that's to be used It grinds nicely and does the same for cutting.
There is a "newer maker" who has pretty much the same credentials as you who started off doing a folder. He did a WIP (work in progress) in another forum. He ended up with a great folder. Frank
Click to expand...

If I plan to use titanium for the lock side liner, and SST for the opposing side. What thickness Titanium would you recommend?

Is there a secondary material you would use for a locking liner material?

EDIT: Is there a Blade thickness you would recommend as well? Wow, you were right so many variables and questions I hadn't even come close to thinking of.
 
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12345678910 said:
I would read this book first

It's getting expensive now, it's still worth it.

613HTN5CAHL._SS500_.jpg

The Tactical Folding Knife: A Study of the Anatomy and Construction of the Liner-Locked Folder [Paperback]


http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6451165&postcount=9
Click to expand...

I bought this book this year, think it cost me $35/shipped CND from chapters.ca, but they are sold out now. I just did a search and the cheapest I could find it was $114 USD. I am glad I got mine when I did, and I read it a couple of times every few months so its not for sale yet, but with these prices I just may be tempted:eek:
 
12345678910 said:
Was $16.95 US..., now $ 175 for the stock remaining
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HOLY *&%#!

I paid around 16.95. This is an awesome book on making a liner lock. I don't know if you want to spend over $100 for it. There are a few tutorials online about making liner locks, but doesn't compare to this.

I might also recommend buying a liner lock and disassembling it.
 
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