Playing with something new--Friction Folder

[Brian.Evans]

While I wait for my slipjoint book to get here, I'm trying my hand at a friction folder. The steel is Aldo's A2, the scales are 0.122 blue G10 from AKS. Pins will be 3/32" brass on the spacer and 5/32" brass for the pivot and stop.

The spacer is a piece of the steel because I don't have any .093" G10.

The spacer is going to be flush with the tail of the blade. It's a precision goal I want to achieve. I decided to do that after I drilled the first set of holes, which is why there are three holes. I think I'm going to have to drill two more holes though. I need another 1/16".

I have already learned so much just by messing with this today. I really like folders! (at least friction folders, ask me in a month after trying to build a slipjoint)

I am going to file the flats instead of grind them, mostly because I am out of belts for my grinder and I don't want to mess this blade up using crappy belts. I was thinking a full flat grind.

I can't seem to find the 3 feet of 5/32" brass rod I know I have, so I had to use a drill bit as the preliminary pivot just to check clearances. Once I get more rod, I'll do the fine tuning of the pivot area.

Opinions, comments, critiques, and/or advice solicited and welcome.

 

[kevin -the professor]

more power to you!
kc

 

[Brian.Evans]

I guess I don't know how to take that, so I'm going to say thank you!

 

[Brian.Evans]

Got a lot more done tonight. I learned so much doing this little thing. I've never sanded G-10 before, so that didn't turn out so well. I placed the spacer pins way to close to the edge, and about had an "uh-oh" moment with the rear pin. My plunge sucks, it was a combination of old belt, platen not being square, and just plain sucky grinding. My flow/lines got off because of how I rounded over the scales. Oh well, it still functions fine, it just isn't as asthetically pleasing.

I know my next one will be a lot better.

I need to send it off to HT. Does Darrin Sanders do air hardening stuff?

I had more pictures, but apparently I deleted them before they uploaded fully.

 

[Darrin Sanders]

Yep, A2 is no problem. Send me an email at the address below and I'll give you the details.

 

[Daniel Fairly Knives]

Cool!

That Blue G10 looks nice and you're really going to like the performance of the A2.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

 

[tryppyr]

It needs a built in laser pointer and USB storage.

 

[Brian.Evans]

Daniel, thank you for the kind words. I'm not incredibly impressed with the sanding job on the g10, but the next one will be better.

Dang it Greg! Now I'm trying to figure out how to pull off embedding a USB chip in a folder like SAK does.

More pictures!

Here you can see my almost "uh-oh" moment with those spacer pins.

Couple more of the sides.

I'm not real impressed with my grinding. I need to get a file guide and start cutting my plunges in like that.