New to the forum. Don't have much knife making experience but I am looking to redo my grandfather's four peice folder. I have some jewelry experience and actually broke down and re-made a cheap little two bladed folder for a class in college. So I am confident I have the skills, but I misplaced one of the spring's from my grandpop's knife. I will use the remaining spring as a template to cut a new one. I have only used a jewelry saw on soft metals, so I am guessing I need to step up to a coping saw!? I am wondering what kind of steel do I need to cut the replacement from? Do I need to harden the steel? I'm am sure with a little guidance from some of you fine folks I would be able to takle the project.
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
New here! Looking for some help
- Thread starter nkante
- Start date
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith
ilmarinen - MODERATOR
Moderator
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2004
- Messages
- 38,508
Welcome to Bladeforums. Filling out your profile will be very helpful. There may be a folder maker/repairer near you who can help.
The question you ask is not an easy one to answer. Without knowing much about the knife (photos would help a lot), we can only made some guesses. Precision ground 1095 ( in the right thickness) would be a good choice for the spring.
Making it and doing the HT is a far more complex situation. You need to cut out a piece of steel, shape it and drill holes exactly, harden and temper it, and then fit it to the knife. This isn't a beginner task.
There are some good books on building and repairing folders. One of those would be a good investment to help you figure out a lot of the fine points.
A jewelers saw and a pack of #2 blades will work for cutting out the rough spring shape from the bar of steel. From there files and sandpaper will do most of the rest. A good drill press with a properly aligned table is a must for drilling the holes straight. HT should be done by someone experienced in folder spring HT.
The question you ask is not an easy one to answer. Without knowing much about the knife (photos would help a lot), we can only made some guesses. Precision ground 1095 ( in the right thickness) would be a good choice for the spring.
Making it and doing the HT is a far more complex situation. You need to cut out a piece of steel, shape it and drill holes exactly, harden and temper it, and then fit it to the knife. This isn't a beginner task.
There are some good books on building and repairing folders. One of those would be a good investment to help you figure out a lot of the fine points.
A jewelers saw and a pack of #2 blades will work for cutting out the rough spring shape from the bar of steel. From there files and sandpaper will do most of the rest. A good drill press with a properly aligned table is a must for drilling the holes straight. HT should be done by someone experienced in folder spring HT.
Thanks for the quick reply. I have experience with all the tools you listed, and I am confedent enough in my skills to tackle this projoct as a beginner. But I will need someone to heat treat it for me. I live in Philadelphia, if that helps me connect with someone. Where should I be looking for sources of steel? I am guessing Lowes doesn't sell the kind I sould use. And I will hit the library this weekend to see if they havebooks to help. Thank you
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2006
- Messages
- 1,302
I don't know if the New Jersey Steel Baron (Aldo) sells the size steel you need but I would give him a call. Peters heat treating is in PA and i would give them a call, too.
