Spyderco Military Frame Lock Project

[STR]

Next up is one I've been looking forward to trying for a long time.

It may or may not pan out but it looks possible to me. We'll see. I may be walking out on a limb of sorts here trying this but I think it will work.

First tries can sometimes be a challenge.

Here are a couple of before pictures and step one which was getting it apart. Those lanyard flared ends take a bit of finesse at times.

Stay tuned.

STR

 

[Ritt]

Oh, this is gonna be good. I was thinking this morning about a Ti lock side and then replacing the off-side G10 with some of that funky G11.

Can't wait to see what develops here...

 

[alejandrino]

Well, Steve, if anybody can do it, you can !!

 

[STR]

Thanks.

Well this is where I say "oops". Slight miscalculation in what I had in the way of .125 titanium scraps but not enough to keep me from finding out what I needed to know. I just knew I had just enough for one Military but not the case.

This one could work actually and I may end up using it one day in one for myself even if the scrap end cut I had was just a tad short on making it for the full handle of this beast. I'm sure you can see where it just didn't have quite enough to cover the tail end of it. No matter how I stuck it on there I just couldn't seem to make it fit exactly so I picked the lesser messed up looking of the two possibilities and cut it out anyways.

Still this can work. If nothing else this piece can be used as a template for drilling holes in future models and pay for itself I guess.

I'll tell ya the hardest part about dealing with the factory knives at times is the flat spot pivot holes where one side is flat to keep the pivot barrel from turning. I mean how do you drill that without a laser? I managed but its tricky so in that regard a template already drilled will be a big help.

My wife informed me that she saw some metal scraps in the attic so I am planning to look in the attic of my shop where I know there is some old scraps of metal laying now, hopefully more than just stainless. Its too hot right now but I'll wait and see whats there. If I can find a piece that will cover it I'll use that and probably cuss a little for not thinking of it before cutting out this piece but I'll make this one do something.. If not I may go to some other thickness or just order some in the morning from Les Halpern.

One way or the other we'll get her done.

Stay tuned folks.

STR

 

[Bungwrench]

That looks really cool. That will make an awesome framelock when done. I actually like how your side is with less of a hump at the butt end.

 

[Ritt]

I actually like how your side is with less of a hump at the butt end.

I was thinking the same thing. Why not take down the G10 to match the Ti? The handle on the milli is enormous, I can't see the problem with the loss of that hump.

 

[STR]

Ritt, it looks like you are the owner of a fine fine frame locking Military. Its flawless! You will never miss the hump. You guys were correct on that call to my surprise.

Not sure what to do for a clip till you get back to me though. Since you didn't include it I didn't want to just randomely drill holes because it looks like the pattern for the old one was some kind of an odd ball or something. I don't remember without seeing it. I have been known to make a few though.

Anyway, here are some pictures for you. This is a nice folder my friend. Really nice! Just wait till you see this thing in person and use it. In fact if Sal made one of these right here it would be as hard sought and fought over as the Striders are by the Spec Ops and military guys. Its right up there on the top shelf! I love it! Best big knife I think I've done to date.

Thanks for letting me use yours for this. I think a lot of folks will appreciate it greatly. I expect to do more of these. I know I'm doing at least one more for myself.

STR

 

[STR]

Oh yeah. The new frame lock side is .125 6AL-4V knife maker grade titanium. Well, actually .126 but its basically 1/8" like the G10 side.

If you sand down the orginal lock side to match in the tail of the folder it can be put right back to the liner lock set up with ease. It breaks down quite simply. Every bit as easy as the original set up if not more so.

STR

 

[Bungwrench]

Dude that thing is the stuff. I love that frame lock Mili. Very nice work sir.

Any chance of seeing a picture of the lockup? At your leisure of course.

That would want to make me have both sides being Ti, and maybe a different color. Anodized green maybe or royal blue?

 

[Ritt]

That looks absolutely outstanding, Steve. I had no doubt you'd do it right, I've been carrying one of your Ti Caly Jr. ZDP conversions for the last few months, and it's as solid as they come.

I've been thinking about the clip... Definitely Ti, right hand tip up carry, one of your fold-overs. How do you think a fat-boy would look on this? Anyone else have opinions they'd like to share on a suitable clip for this beast?

I'm out of here for the night but I'll check back first thing in the morning. This is great, Steve, Christmas in July

 

[STR]

Its a super knife. I gotta tell you though its gonna be hard to mail this one home to ya Dale. I never much cared for the Millie but I'd buy/own this!

Here is a pic of the lock up. Sorry I should have thought to do that.

My bad.

Oh by the way the lock cut out relief to bend it is .069 making it a lot stronger than one done .032 like you see on a lot of these other 'heavy duty' frame locks. :thumbup:

STR

 

[flipe8]

That's awesome work, Steve! I could see you getting A LOT of work for these!

 

[STR]

Thanks guys for the comments.

Well Dale, I didn't like a fat boy pocket clip look on a long thin knife So I played with it some and found something both the wife and I like. This works great too and sits the knife down low for you.

Suns going down west some here and is kind of off behind my building now so I hope these come out ok. Hard for me to tell with this lightning struck monitor of mine.

Thanks for the feedback and positive comments on the CJ by the way. I have not been meaning to ignore you when you mentioned that to me here and in private. I am glad you like it and use it so much. I thought those were all pretty nice in the ti slabs also. I've done so many of the CJs that I probably have them down better than some other models I rarely do.

STR

 

[plowboy]

Excellent!

 

[Fairlane]

That's great work indeed, STR.

 

[Ritt]

Excellent clip, Steve, looks like it was custom-made for that knife It really does finish it off nicely, sort of a "Coke-bottle" clip with those curves. I cannot wait to get it in hand.

What's the cost going to be on this one Steve? I'm sure there are a lot of folks out there that are staring at their Militarys and their piggy banks.

 

[Vivi]

Very nice conversion STR. Did you by chance get the weight of the knife after you did your work?

 

[PartialSerrations]

STR

You never fail to impress me and that is the best coversion you have done yet. I am jealous because I don't have one. LOL

 

[Ritt]

Very nice conversion STR. Did you by chance get the weight of the knife after you did your work?

Steve mentioned on the Spyderco forum that the weight went from 4.2 to 4.4 ounces with the conversion.

 

[STR]

Thanks for the compliments.

I did get the weight before and after yes. I thought I put that in the first post but only did it in my head I guess.

According to my postal scale the Millie weighed in at 4.2 ounces before starting it. It now weighs in at 4.4 ounces, which is not a significant change at all really.

STR