thinking about making a folder has this been done before?

[clockworkfish]

I have been looking around and found some interesting knives such as the higonokami, the douk-douk and the k55k. they all use a single sheet of steel that has been folded around the blade. i then looked at my leatherman freestyle and noticed that the knife section was done in the same way. so i was wondering are there any other single sheet metal handled knifes with liner locks? or i guess they would be frame locks.

in addition to this has anyone done the folded sheet of metal handle, or this style of handle http://cf.mp-cdn.net/91/59/620e3a7e154a0c2c404042a22046.jpg but with a flipper design?

The end goal is a very very very inexpensive flipper design that has a framelock or linerlock.

 

[FlaMtnBkr]

Unless some fairly thick metal can be used for the handle, I wouldn't think a frame lock would be very strong at the thickness of the knives I have seen in that style. I would think it could be done, but it would be flimsy, and would end up a very very very cheap flipper design. I don't know what the max thickness of stainless steel that can be bent in as tight of a radius as would be required, but I wouldn't think it's very thick and would be closer to a tin can than a quality knife.

This is just my gut feeling from working with various metals and materials.

 

[cutter17]

The Cold Steel Folding Bushman is of this construction method.

Btw, the pocket bushman utilizes a Ram Safe lock. This knife has gotten very favorable reviews.:thumbup:

 

[clockworkfish]

also thinking about adding a different type of metal for the scale, also you would be supprised at how sturdy it is to fold just even mild steel that tight with a 14 guage sheet. ive been carrying it in my back pocket and its not bent anymore than what i had orrigionally

 

[Cold Kill]

The Cold Steel Folding Bushman is of this construction method.

Btw, the pocket bushman utilizes a Ram Safe lock. This knife has gotten very favorable reviews.:thumbup:

It has also gotten some bad reviews (based on the lock). The springs create a potential weak point, but after the redesign they are a lot more durable. Just remember that the Pocket Bushman is a folding machete compared to other knives (except other CS knives, they make em large).

If you are planning on a lock, you have to look at a large variety of knives with said lock, and find the pros and cons in the locks (multiple knives so you can get a feel for slight variations affecting performance).