tired

m. wohlwend

m. wohlwend

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Apr 21, 2007
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I have always had a love for slipjoints. Now I am stepping away from fixed blades for a while to make a serious effort to make the knives that I really love. My grandfather was a slipjoint man. We hunted for hours on end, and I never remember him with a sheath knife, just a slip joint.

I think I understand now why alot of makers don't try this. Tonight, my brain hurts, and I am tired, and little flustrated. But I think I am making some progrees. I have worked all week and still don't have one together. Lots of handmade parts that just quite don't work laying every where, but I think I am learning a little.

I did get a small blade and spring to work today quite well, so I saved it for a pattern and made another small spring and blade that worked....so progress. I will keep you posted on the results if you like. Hope to get in 10 hours tomorrow so off to bed..... :( wish the days had more time.
 
Please keep us posted. :thumbup:

Maybe even post some pictures some we can see and share the learning process as you experience it.
 
Maybe do a 'Work-In-Progress' thread here, and get input from folks like Ken Ericson, and others. Might be good to get some input and not have to learn the same mistakes, and save some time.

Besides, we all love those WIP threads. Very informative and entertaining. :thumbup:

Good luck, and keep going.

thx - cpr
 
Definitely keep us updated, with pics :D
I seem to remember a pic that Ken Erickson posted that showed a large pile of pieces that didn't work out like they were suppose to.
Trial and error...

I've never attempted to make a knife, but have built numerous race cars and show cars. Go at a pace that is comfortable for you, and if you are frustrated and not having fun, its time to walk away from it for awhile..
A good craftsman in anything should never feel like he is being rushed .
YMMV
 
Mark, it's easy to waste your time teaching yourself about how to make slip joints. There are lots of resources and guys with knowledge that have already been there and done that. The best advice I can give you is start with a working pattern rather than trying to design something. Make at least 15 of those before you venture out on another pattern or "new design". Also, a word about new design...it's already been done. :D
 
You can tap into a couple hundred years of handmade slipjoint knowledge and experience and thousands of patterns -- it's as simple as getting a few old antique junkers that still have some snap and taking them apart for patterns. There are plenty of complications to be had making slipjoints without trying to recreate everything from first principles -- it's not like you'll run out of challenges. :p And if you get bored, as Tony says, just add another blade.
 
I made some progress over the weekend. posted a link to a photo below. Knife is still in the rough, but its coming along.
 
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Love the blade on that! If the walk-n-talk is right it will be a sweet user once the handle is cleaned up.
 
fishface5 said:
Love the blade on that! If the walk-n-talk is right it will be a sweet user once the handle is cleaned up.
Click to expand...

I think I might need to add some washers. When I tighten it to take out the side to side play, then I loose my walk and talk. Something is dragging. I did relieve my bolsters but they have drag marks on them. I am headed over to local MS this weekend, so I left the front studs sticking out of the handle with the screw slots still exposed so I can take it apart. I learned some things on this one for sure and I am also happy cause UPS just brought me a nice bar of 0-1 that is 3/32 thick. And some thiner micarta... round two coming up!
 
m. wohlwend said:
I think I might need to add some washers. When I tighten it to take out the side to side play, then I loose my walk and talk. Something is dragging. I did relieve my bolsters but they have drag marks on them. I am headed over to local MS this weekend, so I left the front studs sticking out of the handle with the screw slots still exposed so I can take it apart. I learned some things on this one for sure and I am also happy cause UPS just brought me a nice bar of 0-1 that is 3/32 thick. And some thiner micarta... round two coming up!
Click to expand...

The pivot hole in the blade may not be drilled perfectly perpendicular - meaning your blade is actually sitting at a small angle - works fine when loose, tighten up and it binds.
 
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Mark - If you need someone to test one of your early models for, say, a few years, I would be willing to take one for the team!
 
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