Starting my first folder...A few questions.

[Mike Davis]

Ok so i did a rough basic profile with rough shaped liners. I used 304 stainless for the liners, but since i cannot harden them..are they just templates? If so what is a good material for liners? I know ti is good but want something a touch easier to work with for my first one. I also have to order the pivot pin and the screws/spacers for the handle. I am unsure which wood i will use, but have a few choices.
Here is the rough start

Here are a few handle choices.

What do you guys think?

 

[12345678910]

6al4v titanium is what you want for liners.

I say it works easier than 304ss.

It cuts, files, grinds no problem.

 

[Mike Davis]

Thanks for the quick response.
I always thought that it would be a bear to work... Maybe i will order some and do that instead. Ok, excuse my ignorance concerning Ti, but does it need heat treated or will the lock bar stay put when bent? I just don't want it to wear out in 6 months....

Thanks

 

[peter r]

get the liners at least .06 inches thick. and the wear depends on your precision of the lockbar construction. keep everything square and flat and all should be fine. no ht is required for the liners . bending the lockbar is easy. put it in a vise and bend with vice grips. dont bend it too much. just enough so the bar touches the other liner if the blade is not installed in the knife.

 

[tryppyr]

You have some interesting wood choices there. Almost want to say you wouldn't go wrong with any of them. My personal preference is for natural colors, not the dyed stuff, but opinions vary, so use your own discretion. My personal favorites are the fourth and fifth scales from the left on the top row.