Strongest folding knife !

[DrFish]

The OP claims his folder becomes an equivalent fixed blade when locked open. I'm inclined to agree, with some caveats.

There is more than one way of making a fixed blade knife. Full tang. Hidden tang. Tang welded to a rod and threaded nut. Look at Japanese sword construction. Partial tang with a pin.

In the open position, the design in question really resembles a fixed blade with a really short tang. My concerns would be with lateral strength and the overall integrity of the handle given the short lever arm of the short tang.

Is it a practical design? Dunno. It's interesting at least. If he built the knife just as a handle and a set of blades that you could fix into it with a screw, there'd be no question that it would be a fixed blade knife with interchangeable blades. This one can fold. Interesting concept.

Is it as strong as a full tang fixed blade? Heck no. Is it as strong as those old phorbis bayonets that had the welded rod on the back of the blade tightened on by a nut? Yeah, probably.

 

[Cypress]

I hate to get all autistic on you guys, but OP is a knifemaker running a gold membership. He only combed his beard when everyone was jumping ship, which is exactly what a floundering salesman would do. I’m not attacking OP, I’m merely conveying what I’ve read in this thread, and it sounds like I’m not the only one that thinks so.

Too long; Didn’t read:

Basically, “Here’s a product with a promotional video, a price, testing data, perceived market hype, and a slogan, and you guys are my test market… But I’m only asking for design input, so that makes this all legit.”

Take a look at this ! Strongest folding knife. Uses an over-center type lock. It makes a fixed blade knife when locked open

Slight implication of non-attachment to product, even though he later admits to being the inventor.

…"Fixed blade capability when all you have room for is a folder"…

Slogan.

There is FEA simulation data

This tells me it is beyond an “idea” and in the works for production

"Fixed blade capability when all you can carry is a folder"

Slogan again.

There are no washers or bushings. blade/tang to handle tang area is is mated along matching crossectional surfaces. When locked it does act exactly like a fixed blade knife along every axis.

Sales pitch, if I’ve ever heard one.

Spine load is off the chart ! Typical lockback locking surface is minuscule compared to the ffk crossectional tang area locking surfaces.

Beyond an idea again, and a sales pitch comparing his product to current models.

"Fixed Blade Capability that carry's like a folder"

Slogan again

Real simple.....Scenerio, 2 guys are dropped off in the middle of nowhere with 2 folders..... one guy has a sturdy lockback folder(you pick the brand) and the other has an FFK. The FFK will have Fixed Blade Capability, the lockback will not. Any Questions ?

Sloganing, and product comparison.

There are no washers or bushings. Blade/tang to handle/tang area are lined up along matching crossectional surfaces and collapse into each other(video). When locked it does act exactly like a fixed blade knife along every axis.

"fixed blade capability when all you can carry is a folder"

Sloganing, and promotion of product video (approaching advertising)

I'M NOT SAYING IT WILL BEAT A FIXED BLADE KNIFE OF COMPARABLE SIZE.....WHAT I AM SAYING IS THAT IT WILL GIVE THE USER A FOLDING KNIFE THAT WHEN DEPLOYED WILL PERFORM MOST TASKS THAT WOULD ONLY BE EXPECTED FROM A FIXED BLADE KNIFE.

"Fixed Blade Capability that carry's like a folder"

Sloganing.

I invented the FFK and received a patent for it's locking mechanism last year. I am still developing it. I am on this forum to get qualified unfiltered feedback on it. I appreciate and respect your comments, even though they are a-bit colorful.

Owns a patent that is ~1 year old. Either it is a provisional patent, and is soon to expire, or, more likely, it is a utility patent, and he is indeed NOT getting feedback, as you cannot revise a patent once it has been filed. Smells fishy. (I’m in IP Law)

I don't think you know exactly how this mechanism works. In particular, the abundant tang lockup surface geometry is a first. No folding knife locks up like this !
Please take the time to revisit the video on YouTube. Keep in mind that it's still a prototype.

Sales pitch and advertising, followed by a blanket statement to cover his arse from the angry mob that is forming.

Agreed......a fixed blade knife is the best choice if possible. But if it's not I want the next best thing..........FFK

Sales pitch.

If you are familiar with over-center locks then you already know there're strong. That said, yes you can whack all you want on the spine and it will hold up. Also, I agree that it would suit large knives as well.

Weak sales pitch.

We are in south Fla. Bought Elmax from Alpha knife supply. I designed them , water-jet blanks, sent to Montana for grind and HT, Richter precision DLC. Hand made carbon slabs myself. The FFK was made by a company that used their interpretation of an FFK and my CAD files. My vision for the FFK is 440C or 420V blade and handle steel, 420V bolsters, FRN handles. Price point $99. That is the goal.

Sales pitch, even provides the price.

Based on an extensive amount $ of FEA(simulation) work we did, the FFK can do what current folders cannot.

This is a product pitch, and is being backed up by tests. The OP bounces back and forth between "I have no idea what the finished product will be like" and "We have tested the knife in every imaginable way (via computer), and will not change a thing about the design."

/Autism

 

[marcinek]

We are in south Fla. Bought Elmax from Alpha knife supply. I designed them , water-jet blanks, sent to Montana for grind and HT, Richter precision DLC. Hand made carbon slabs myself. The FFK was made by a company that used their interpretation of an FFK and my CAD files. My vision for the FFK is 440C or 420V blade and handle steel, 420V bolsters, FRN handles. Price point $99. That is the goal.

I'm with Cypress. This post, to me, is not about looking for feedback on a patented locking mechanism. This is chumming the market for your completed product. Which I don't believe is within ones rights as a Gold member.

 

[sh00ter01]

yada yada yada

The guy has nothing to sell (at this point), just sharing a prototype.

Should everyone that post up a knife they've designed/made/pimped/etc. have to buy a 'knifemakers' membership level when they currently aren't selling anything?

Some of you guys got your pitch forks and torches in hand and are just looking for a witch. The guy already bought a gold membership and he's just sharing his concept. I'm sure he'll buy the appropriate membership when he plans to start selling (and if not, it can be dealt with then).

Well, should they?

 

[sh00ter01]

I'm with Cypress. This post, to me, is not about looking for feedback on a patented locking mechanism. This is chumming the market for your completed product. Which I don't believe is within ones rights as a Gold member.

So even though he's not selling anything/doesn't have anything to sell right now, he completely out of line? Guess we shouldn't discuss any knife manufacturer on this forum that doesn't have a paid subforum.

 

[Quiet]

Well, should they?

Cypress made a pretty damning case, man.

 

[Cypress]

Well, should they?

I've seen plenty of members draw up knives that they want to make, then present those drawings to the forum for input. That's peachy. This instance sees a working model that's been patented, priced, damn-near trademarked, and advertised via Youtube.

Pretty significant difference.

 

[sh00ter01]

I've seen plenty of members draw up knives that they want to make, then present those drawings to the forum for input. That's peachy. This instance sees a working model that's been patented, priced, damn-near trademarked, and advertised via Youtube.

Pretty significant difference.

He did come on a little strong but the point is, he currently has nothing to sell.

Like I said, I'm sure he'll buy the appropriate membership when he plans to start selling (and if not, it can be dealt with then).

 

[sh00ter01]

Cypress made a pretty damning case, man.

Not really, but who knows, maybe we should lash out at any new member that comes here enthusiastic about a new design they've come up with... great way to grow the knife community you know

 

[RedLynx]

I have no dog in this particular fight. But I can see based on the thread (following it since beginning) and Cypress' summary above, this could be seen as "drumming up future business" even though right now, no product is on the production line. I can't say whether drumming up business for the future could be problematic at the Gold vs. Knifemaker level, but I think it's a valid point.

Again, just chiming in, not trying to bring anyone down.

 

[Quiet]

I will say that I have less of a problem with his posts now that he's a Gold member at the very least. Bladeforums and its members are an easily and directly recognized resource, and is rightfully considered as such. If we weren't, why would knife-based/related businesses and makers bother paying money in order to market products to us (which is essentially what FFK was doing)?

At least now FFK has some skin in the game, which is all I cared about.

 

[RedLynx]

I think the Gold membership helps, also.

It's interesting to note this prototype thread has garnered almost 9000 views and might hit an even 10,000... just saying. We ARE a good customer base here, whatever original intent may be.

 

[celtic11]

I've seen plenty of members draw up knives that they want to make, then present those drawings to the forum for input. That's peachy. This instance sees a working model that's been patented, priced, damn-near trademarked, and advertised via Youtube.

Pretty significant difference.

I don't understand patents like you clearly do but one thing I noticed in your diatribe was that he has stated he has a patent on the locking mechanism. I've not seen him claim to have a patent on the rest of the knife, which is the only part of the knife he's taken advice on and showed a willingness to change.

Couldn't he have the patent you described which cannot he changed on the locking mechanism only but still make changes to the rest of the knife?

 

[Cypress]

I don't understand patents like you clearly do but one thing I noticed in your diatribe was that he has stated he has a patent on the locking mechanism. I've not seen him claim to have a patent on the rest of the knife, which is the only part of the knife he's taken advice on and showed a willingness to change.

Couldn't he have the patent you described which cannot he changed on the locking mechanism only but still make changes to the rest of the knife?

It depends on what is described in the claims of the patent. If OP could provide the patent number, I am curious to see what is claimed. A good patent is "exactingly vague", so hopefully OP dished out the funds to have a firm draw one up.

 

[Rhinoknives1]

I've seen plenty of members draw up knives that they want to make, then present those drawings to the forum for input. That's peachy. This instance sees a working model that's been patented, priced, damn-near trademarked, and advertised via Youtube.

Pretty significant difference.

OK Cypress,
You have made your case and I also think the man has come around and will upgrade as he should, when he has a product to sell. Many of us derive our incomes from fellow knife junkies in one way or another around here and think a little patience & tolerance of a new member is in order..

What do the moderators have to say?
Has there been an infraction worth closing this thread been commented? Or has the OP toned it down and purchased what is deemed necessary to continue with his thread?

 

[FFK]

Here is the link to new FFK video with much better detail about the mechanism and it's function. I will answer only questions that have to do with mechanism operation/function/materials. I look forward to your comments. Thanks, Mike


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP5x_1Ny3vk

 

[Tripton]

If you are making a folding knife to have a maximum amount of strength from side forces, why are you using such a thin blade stock? That blade would snap LONG before any kind of normal pivot would.

 

[marcinek]

And once again...its a folder. It does not have fixed blade capability. Because it folds.

 

[pnsxyr]

Do I have to manually lock the knife open upon flicking it open from a closed position, or is there a secondary locking system that automatically locks and allows it to be used immediately with one-handed opening?

 

[FFK]

Yes, after it's open you rotate over-center locking lever back to lock knife open. No secondary locking system