Places to buy damascus / learning slip joints

Robert_Phelps

Robert_Phelps

Joined
Nov 29, 2005
Messages
475
The question I get asked most is "Do you make damascus folders?" to which I've had to reply no, and I'm tired of missing chances to make knives for people. I'm ordering up some materials for this learning venture, and I'm looking at Jantz prices on damascus (I just need some twist or random in 3/32 or 1/8"), and I'm wondering if there's not a cheaper place to get it. For that matter, is Jantz damascus good quality?

Also, can anyone recommend a good book on making slip joint folders? Preferably one that doesn't assume the maker has a mill or anything like that. I've got a grinder and a decent drill press.

Thanks for the help:)
 
I read that tutorial on slip joints Chris Crawford did, I was just looking for another take on it, or some different blade styles and their corresponding backsprings, perhaps...

Delbert Ealy's stuff looks really cool, but it's a little fancier than what i was looking for right now. I Definitely bookmarked that for future reference though :)
 
It expensive but a good book on slipjoints (not lock liners) is how to make multiblade folding knives. The craford tutorial is good as well.
 
Didn't want to hi-jack the other slipjoint thread, so...

I remember reading recently here that it was absolutely crucial to drill the pivot hole straight.. well, my drill press does fine for everything else, but the drilling support table..thingy gets knocked off level sometimes, and I move it back to the little dot, but I get the feeling this could screw up my slipjoint. How do I true up my table (digital level? something cheaper maybe?), or what are different ways to get a straight hole. Someone mentioned a reamer or something I think.
 
Its not the level that you need to check, you need the chuck at 90 degrees to the table. I use a dial inicator that is mounted in the chuck, rotate and move table to where it is square with the chuck all the way around. I try to get the runnout <0.005 and that seems to work fine. I also have a plate of steel with four screws that I can mount on the table and adjust. You can do the same thing with a bent stiff wire. make a Z shape. put in chuck and rotate and adjust table to eleminate any gap. When the wire scrapes the table jently all the way around you are done.

You do get to move the blade straight during assembly. The pins will give a bit before they are peened allowing you to move the liners. I clamp in this position and peen the lower pin first. This is only a small adjustment but usually enough.
 
I would like to second Delbert Ealy. He was a great help when I made my first damascus blade.

Phillip
 
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