Need some help from the folder makers

Burl Source · Sep 17, 2009

I figured you guys would be able to help me get the answers I am looking for.
Those of you who make folders and sometimes use wood for handle material I would like to hear what you have to say. I am not looking for answers of what is normal to the industry but what works best for you.

I don't see many knife making supply companies offering scales other than 3/8" thick. Does that mean folder makers cut their own? Or would there be any interest in thin cut bookmatched scales?

What are good dimensions for scales? Length, Width, Thickness?

Do you prefer stabilized? I ask because in my mind it seems like it would be real easy to saturate thin scales with CA glue as an alternative to the higher cost of stabilized wood. (Does that make sense?)

Do you prefer to cut your own scales from a block? If yes, what are minimum dimensions? (I ask this because I get a lot of pieces that are smaller than normal fixed blade blocks but still killer pieces)

Is there any other advice you can give or anything special you have a hard time finding?

I ask these questions for 2 reasons.
#1 I get a lot of cut off pieces I think would be great for folders.
#2 I would like to see what some of you folder makers could do with some of my wood.

As a thank you for your help with these questions I would be happy to send you some wood to try out if you can pay the postage and maybe post a photo or two of the finished knife when you use it. I will need to limit this to a couple dozen of you guys.

Thanks in advance for all your great advice.
Your friend, Mark

Patrickknives · Sep 17, 2009

Couple of answeres, I like to have at least 1" by 3 1/2 x 1/4 to work with dont really need 3/8 because folders are thinner. Anything less than 3" is a pretty small folder and you will still need a top and bottom bolster.

It must be stabilized, wood moves alot and that is not good for a folder. The cost of most handle materials is small compared to the work going into unless you go with exotic materials, so a couple more $ for stab is fine. I would rather get nice flat pieces rather than try to cut from block.

Probably the hardest part is since the handle is small you need a really nice piece of wood otherwise the pattern is lost.,

Here are a couple, each is about 5" long pretty big knives.

Coke bottle, amboya burl

Western Pattern African Ebony

Phillip Dobson · Sep 17, 2009

Patrick's right on as far as the dimensions go.

For materials, some of that nice redwood burl would be amazing stabilized. It has a good tight pattern that would look great in something small.

Burl Source · Sep 17, 2009

Thank you Patrick and Phillip. I wasn't sure whether folder makers wanted to cut their own or if precut was better. It's pretty easy for me to get the thickness exactly even with my drum sander. (I love that machine)
The rest of you folder makers' input is welcomed. What do you like, what you hate. Stuff like that.
Phillip, I bought a ram like yours and will be adding some scales similar to what you did. Not sure whether to use some redwood burl or some snakeskin looking sycamore I found while cleaning my shop.

h2ostx · Sep 17, 2009

Mark,

I generally look for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2" wide, to allow for some curvature in the handle, 3/16" or so thick, and 3 1/2 to 4" long.

And always a tight burl pattern due to smaller sizes and stabilized.

CA is o.k. but it only soaks in to the surface and not completely thru the material.

I have bought some blocks if I find some really nice wood and then cut it down.

Thanks,

Kelly

Bruce Bump · Sep 17, 2009

I am making traditional slip joints and use bone or ivory. I've seen wood handled ones but many of them are broken from use. I think the wood shrinks with time and cracks. Bone and stag are the norm an hold up better at least on small pocket knives.

Burl Source · Sep 18, 2009

Thank you Kelly and Bruce for your input. In the next week or so I will be doing up some unusual pieces I have stashed for you guys making folders to try out. When it's ready I will get in touch for a mailing address.

Hey Bruce,
Did you sell everything at the Chicago show? Portland was kind of slow but it went really good for me. I got a booth this time and as usual brought way too much wood. Got to meet a lot of impressive makers and was approached by one of the production companies about possibly supplying wood for a limited edition run. So all in all it was a fun show.

Bruce Bump · Sep 18, 2009

Burl Source said:
Thank you Kelly and Bruce for your input. In the next week or so I will be doing up some unusual pieces I have stashed for you guys making folders to try out. When it's ready I will get in touch for a mailing address.

Hey Bruce,
Did you sell everything at the Chicago show? Portland was kind of slow but it went really good for me. I got a booth this time and as usual brought way too much wood. Got to meet a lot of impressive makers and was approached by one of the production companies about possibly supplying wood for a limited edition run. So all in all it was a fun show.

Chicago was very fun because its new territory to explore but sales werent the best. Tactical makers did well there. I'm thinking about going back to Portland next year.