Small copper locker.

[I'mSoSharp]

Had a go at making a small lock-back with copper liners & bolsters, now I know copper isn't the best material for a pocket knife but I'd been wanting to make a knife from copper for ages so thought I'd give it a go. Blade is O1 & scales are Briar.

Pretty small at 3" closed, blade 2-1/8" & OAL of 5".

I imagine this is going to tarnish like crazy but that's part of the appeal, it is for me anyway

Blade & lock-bar pivot pin sleeved in steel, pic below early on in the build.

First lock-back I've made & I've slipped up as its ended up with a tiny bit of vertical play in the blade

Think copper is out of my system now.......

 

[Wurrwulf]

I love the copper! It looks fantastic, and I hope to see a future picture of the patina.

 

[rarreola]

nice looking little knife

 

[Peregrin]

Cool little knife. Keep us up dated on how it looks after a bit. That is, if you decide to let it patina.

 

[Gevonovich]

It's a little art piece !!! I really like it a lot

 

[Nature Boy]

Sweet little lockback! Keep us posted!

 

[glennbad]

Looks neat. I like the design. I'd like to hear how the copper pins hold up. I've had bad luck with copper liners, bolsters, and pins so far.

 

[moonman]

Looks nice!

 

[I'mSoSharp]

Thanks for the nice comments, I will post another photo when it changes colour which I don't think will take too long!

Looks neat. I like the design. I'd like to hear how the copper pins hold up. I've had bad luck with copper liners, bolsters, and pins so far.

Yeah, there's a reason you don't see many copper bodied knives .

Copper being relatively soft is the reason why I made it small, & it isn't going to be abused. The pins for the pivots are in steel liners so hopefully they will stand up OK to normal usage, & I made it a lock-back so the pins are under less opening & closing stress than a slipjoint.
It's something I've wanted to make for a while & also a bit of an experiment, time will tell.

Next is a folder made of cheese

 

[joeradza]

Beautiful design, with everyone's favorite blade shape. Reminiscent of the GEC 25 drop point. Build it and they will come.

 

[meako]

Going to be Jack cheese?

jack knife....cheese.....
Sorry.
Maybe gorgonresolza?
My jokes are cheesy but your copper lock
Is great.
Cheers.

 

[Ernie1980]

I love the look! If it ages nicely have you considered building a similar knife with just copper bolsters and brass or steel liners?

 

[Ramrodmb]

Looks well executed! Nice job!

 

[abcdef]

Very nice. Reminds me a little of some of the old Schrades.

 

[I'mSoSharp]

Thanks again for the nice comments gents.

I love the look! If it ages nicely have you considered building a similar knife with just copper bolsters and brass or steel liners?

Yes, maybe a bigger "normal" size slipjoint.
I made this slipjoint a while ago, along similar lines but not quite as nice visually in my opinion - https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/brass-briar-slipjoint.1518614/

 

[Ernie1980]

That one was similar, I remember seeing it when you first posted that thread. The copper on your most recent does set it apart, I agree.

 

[edbeau]

I also would like to see the knife as the copper darkens.

 

[I'mSoSharp]

I also would like to see the knife as the copper darkens.

Today, two days after polishing it's already turning a little mottled dull, but not really worthy of another pic yet.
But I'm sure it will be soon!

 

[I'mSoSharp]

Happy Christmas everyone!

Tarnishing a bit now.

Shot glass, knife complete with pocket fluff.....


.

 

[solphilos]

Good choice of wood with the copper. I think this will age nicely, I'm a huge fan of copper bolsters and wished it was offered more on production knives.