Ohta Friction Folder

Thomason

Thomason

Joined
Nov 28, 2002
Messages
9,375
I read somewhere that the ancient Romans a few thousand years ago actually had pocket knives. They were friction folders. I figured it would be cool to own a basic knife in the ancient, simple construction style of these old knives. I kept my eyes open and found a knife just like the old Roman ones.

By "just like” I mean if the Romans had made them with ironwood scales, 2 1/4 inch blades of San-mai Damascus with a VG-10 core, carbon fiber liners, mircarta back strap and Kydex lined leather cover pocket sheath and if the Romans had possessed the knife making skills of Hiroaki Ohta.:D

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That's a beauty, Rob! Hiro sure makes a nice knife. Those friction folders of his have been calling to me, but I've managed to resist so far!
 
Nice! Do you have a shot of the spine showing the ironwood, carbon fiber, and micarta construction?

- Christian
 
WOW!

I can't make up my mind if it's simple elegance, or simply elegant!. Either way, it's mind blowing gorgeous. I love friction folders anyways, more of late with arthritis issues. But that one would defiantly find a home in my edc pocket rotation.
 
Christian, this is about the best my meager photo skills can do with a shot of the black carbon fiber liners and the black micarta spacer.

Just got it today. The more I fondle this knife the more I like it. I believe Hiroaki makes them in two four sizes, this is the smaller at about 4 inches from end to end. Thanks for the comments, gents.

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Beautiful knife :thumbup:

Just a quick question .
My only experience with friction folders is the " cheap and cheerful " Svord Peasant knife .
With those you can set or adjust the " friction " with the screws .
I see a number of top quality friction folders popping up here from time to time but they all seem to be pinned construction with no way of adjusting for personal preference or wear .
Am I missing something in their design , do they have some form of retention or tension built into them ?

Again great knife , I'd own that in a heart beat .

Ken
 
Masterful! I didn't know that Hiroaki made friction folders. I've long admired his stag slipjoints.
 
Very nice, Rob:thumbup:

I had one of his stag slipjoints, but had to sell after my thumb injury.
Thing was a bear to open.
I like his work, and need to try one of these one day.
 
Congratulations, Rob! That's a beauty. Every line and joint shows the amazing skill of the maker.
 
Very Cool! What is the pivot pin made of? Is that black micarta also, whatever it is looks very classy. Almost blended with the darker portion of that iron wood, looks killer!
 
Casey4545 said:
Very Cool! What is the pivot pin made of? Is that black micarta also, whatever it is looks very classy. Almost blended with the darker portion of that iron wood, looks killer!
Click to expand...

Casey, it almost looks like wood. Maybe a wooden plug on top of a sunken pivot pin? I don't think it is micarta but I could be wrong. I just don't know.

EDIT
Google is our friend:D

Micarta (told ya I could be wrong) cover over a stainless pin and collar.

http://homepage2.nifty.com/ohtaknives/OFF Catalog.htm
 
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What a cool knife. I've always found it odd that ironwood is fairly common on higher-end fixed blades, and quite rare on higher-end folders. As your Ohta shows, it can be done, and it can be quite stunning. :thumbup:
 
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