Stop pin track on folders.

[Justin Schmidt]

How exactly does the stop pin and track work? I've seen quite a few guys use them and some don't. So are they really necessary? Can you just use a detent ball and caged bearings? Thank you.
I'm just trying to figure it all out not jump ahead of the game or anything.

 

[Busto]

It does exactly as the name implies. The pin rides in the track and STOPS the blade at full open and full close. Detent ball and caged bearings serve other purposes.

The pin serves two roles one to limit rotation of the blade the other to align distance between liners/scales to keep them parallel.

They are time consuming and best accomplished with a Mill and rotary table. Not necessary but the knife design could dictate its usage.