Sliplocks, Pivot pins, and Pearl..Aaaarrggg!

J

John L

Joined
Oct 28, 2004
Messages
1,330
I make folders regularly and have not had this problem previously. In a sliplock floder the top pin on the spring peins to either side of the scales and in this case...pearl. You can really bear down on the bolsters while peining and be very successful. However, how in the heck can you pein and not split the pearl. I was very, very careful, just barely doming the pin holding the spring halfway between ends of knife. They still managed to split. One completely across and one just the small amount from spring side to the pin. I had already epoxied these scales to the liners and peinned them top and bottom with 1/16" solder..just for the look knowing that pinning was problematic. Should I just epoxy the pin in and not pein at all? Thanks for any help.
 
That's how I understand it's done with delicate materials. Kerry Hampton has answered more than a few folder questions for me. Maybe he'll chime in.
 
An easy solution is to peen the pins to the frame. Then sand them flat and attach the scales on top with 2 screws.

Like on this John Fraps knife.

fraps24.jpg
 
If you can find an old set of feeler gauges, take them apart and use the pivot hole through them as a guard when peining. Slip the hole in the feeler gauge over the pin and pein away. Gently. The feeler guage will spread any slightly missed blows over a larger area and protect your material. As the pin gets closer, drop down in thickness on the gauge. You can use the same technique on your blade pivot pin to protect the bolsters from hammer marks. I learned that one from Goddard.

Gene
 
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