My first folding knife, I call it the “Pistol Folder”

Patrice Lemée

Patrice Lemée

Joined
Aug 13, 2002
Messages
5,703
Before anything else I have to say is a big thank you to Frank Niro for all his help, putting up with my zillion questions :o and my slightly unorthodox design ideas. ;)

So here it is. Bare in mind that this is my first one and far from perfect. I won't go into the details of all that needs to be addressed (been told not to do that :o) but please see this as a prototype. I had a lot of ideas that I thought I'd try (and even some I did not get to, yet) and some worked better than others. All in all it was great fun and I definitely will make more folders. Only thing I want to point out is that I did not have a stencil of the proper size for my name so I engraved it hence the sub par mark. Lots of practice needed in the engraving department for sure.

Design wise, I love old pistols and was greatly inspired by Bruce Bump's Cut'n Shoots. Not that this is anywhere close of course but you get the idea. I imagine that I don't have to point out the obvious but I still will just in case: *this is not a functioning pistol*. I'd love to go that way someday but for now, this is it.

Here are the specs:
Blade length: 4 1/4” OAL: 9 3/4”
Weight: 11.5 oz
Grind: Hollow
Blade Steel: AEB-L
Liners: Titanium
Handle: African Blackwood
Fittings: Stainless steel, Cow Bone, Brass

pistol_folder1.jpg


pistol_folder2.jpg


pistol_folder3.jpg


pistol_folder4.jpg


pistol_folder5.jpg


It's a hefty knife for sure but it handles surprisingly well for it's weight. Not that this is an EDC but I still wanted it to be functional.

As I said before, I know there are flaws, but I'd still love your comments about it, good or bad. I hope some of you like it.

Thanks for looking
 
Patrice, this folder is absolutely beautiful! From a design standpoint, it has so many subtle features which come together to make this piece truly outstanding! Your ability to bring such a design to life with exceptional fabricating skill is clearly shown! Congratulations!
 
There have been quite a few "first folders" lately but, you have really taken it to a new level! Fantastic job Patrice! I see a lot of posts in this forum and on Facebook where makers and collectors espouse their preferences for certain types of knives, materials or finishes. I find myself drawn to "the creative". You have the creativity! I can see (not so much in the knife but, in your posts and questions) that your creativity is still limited by your skill. I say this, not as a criticism, but as a statement of excitement for your future. When you have the skills and experience to make whatever is in that imagination of yours, you will be one of the greats!

Bob
 
The handle is very interesting in all that is going on....well done..

The blade, that acute angle at the plunge line is throwing off the flow for me. I think a nice sweeping radius with a full flat grind would flow better with the handle.

It is apparent there is a lot of work in the entire knife and it is impressive for your first folder.
 
Very cool first folder Patrice. The concept is definitely recognizable as a Lemée. I particularly like the accents along the spine and the butt of the handle. I'd have liked to see a bit more crispness in the lines of the piece; but overall a win. :thumbup:
How did the build go?... versus a fixed blade? Any lessons learned?
Erin
 
Great details on this one, I'm impressed by your treatment of the spine! Props for signing it with the graver- is that a removable piece, by the way?
Not all of it, but some of it reminds me a bit of a navaja. The curviness, I guess.
 
Patrice this is very cool I think what I like about it is that it is so different nice job
 
Thanks for the good words guys.

Murray, I am sure glad you feel that way. I am always worried to take it too far. Easily done with the gremlins running around in my head. ;)

Robert, I need to hire you to do my advertisement. ;)

Bob, you are absolutely right that my skills still need to catch up. Although they probably never will given the said gremlins. :o

Avigil, I agree 100% I need to try and finish the blade first. I usually move on to the handle before it is finished and like in this case, I just don't have the “steam” left to chuck it when I made a few booboos when the knife was almost finished. My biggest problem is the very low number of blades I grind, the area where you benefit the most from practice and muscle memory.

Erin, the crispiness of the handle butt and bolsters is another point where I would have liked to do better. For the bolsters part of the reason was I was uncertain about how the different curves came together and decided to blend them a bit more...if that makes any sense. I will make a post in Shoptalk about the process and what I've learned as you asked, it would just be too long here. I talk a lot. :o

Salem, yes that is a removable piece. Might redo it when my engraving skills improve.
I do like Navaja's so it very possible that it influenced me and for sure on my ToMake list.

David, different is good. When I first started it was one of my main goals and focusing so hard on it, it didn't work, it came out just weird.

Thanks again for your good words and input guys. I do kid around a bit but believe me, it means a lot. :thumbup:
 
very cool, Patrice!
 
It reminds me of the Persian you posted a long time ago, Patrice. In fact, you slammed that one too for flaws. This is just such a great start though, you should proceed full speed ahead. I suspect you need to get the weight way down, but I really like it.
 
AVigil said:
The blade, that acute angle at the plunge line is throwing off the flow for me. I think a nice sweeping radius with a full flat grind would flow better with the handle.

It is apparent there is a lot of work in the entire knife and it is impressive for your first folder.
Click to expand...

Agree with both of these statements.

Love the piece, needs some sort of pirate-y name. Not sure if that's what you were going for, but to my eyes this has a cap'n jack sparrow feel all the way.
 
WOW!!!! That is a art. I only make "tools" that I wish to look good also, but some of ya'll are true artists!

Ken H>
 
Wow is an understatement! Very appealing to me and most impressive!

Your first folder...... anxious to see your evolution!

Steve
---------
Member, W.F. Moran Foundation
 
Thanks again for the good words guys, I am overwhelmed.

David, this is pretty much my “Full steam ahead” speed. Lol But I suspect that I will be jumping right back into folders. I do have a couple of fixed blades to do before but the pull towards the folding side of the force is very strong. ;)

Evan, I think you nailed it. I think The Black Pearl is perfect. :thumbup: :D

Joe, I had to google that one, did not know Talwar. Definitely a Navaja feel, although I did not use it to help me design. I do have plans for a Navaja inspired folder but again it might be slightly out there. ;)

And again, it's not because I always repeat the same thank you that it means any less. I really does mean a lot to me, thanks.
 
Patrice,

You have a Ready Fire Aim approach and it's contagious! ;) Damn the torpedos, I'm making it!

A pleasure to view. Keep up the skills.

Your fantastic clear photos give admiration to the package. Check.

Coop
 
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