Slip Joint Folders?

[L6steel]

Is it really necessary to mill a relief on the insides of the liners of a slip joint folder? I know factory folders and custom mades are totally different animals but I've seen alot of very well made factory slips that had no reliefs cut into the liners at all and they worked just fine. Thanks for any input you can share!

 

[weld]

L6 you can sand a couple thousands off your blade and your slip joint will work fine.

 

[Shotgunone]

The answer is no you don't have to relieve the liners for the knife to work. The purpose of the relief is to keep the rub marks from showing up on the blade. Look at a knife that does not have relieved liners and you will see where there are circular scratches on the blade this is due to the liners rubbing the blade as it pivots around the pin. Or due to grit (dirt, sand, etc.) getting between the liners and the blade.

As was already pointed out you can relieve the sides of the blade except around the pivot hole and get the same results.

Regards

 

[Chris Crawford]

On my slipjoints, I use .004" stainless steel washers made from double edge razor blades to keep the tang from rubbing against the sides of the liners. I make the blade .007" less than the back-spring and everything works great. I've been very pleased with the results after moving to this method.
Tutorial on making washers from razor blades.

-chris

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Chris Crawford Knives