To Fold of not to Fold?

Patrice Lemée

Patrice Lemée

Joined
Aug 13, 2002
Messages
5,703
I see many makers, beginners and old-timers alike, getting into folders?
From a beginners point of view I can understand wanting to start with them but what makes you move into that after doing fixed blades for a while? Is it for a new challenge or to expand the customer base? Or is it a natural progression?

I ask because I am tempted to try them myself (thanks a lot johnny44 :mad:;)) but I hesitate since I still have a long way to go with fixed blades. I am afraid to spread the little time I have in the shop (read almost none these days) between fixed and folders and in doing so, not really making good progress in both.
 
I carry and use folders everyday.

Except kitchen knives, that's not so true for a fixed.


Do it.
You know you want to.

You can spend lots of non shop time on drawing and dreaming and figuring...
eventually you will get one done.


I say that it does take real grinding skills to take a blade with mostly finished lock dimensions and
grind into it, knowing that tossing and trying again is several hours work lost.


How about a friction folder first?
Pretty simple.
 
i'm in the same boat... like to do folders but jeez, i get lost on the drill sizes and reamers for the pivot and stuff.. ...it'd be nice just to do a simple lock back ... (or so i think is simple ???)
-i got that Terzuola book and that smoked my confidence to try it... he's got a thousand jigs and all the nice machines

good luck Patrice... i think i might fold on this one haha
 
Go for it! I ordered a whole whack of folder components last week, and all I really have to go on is a preliminary design. I was also inspired by the same pesky person :D

Yep my first bunch of em will probably be a joke compared to the more seasoned makers but that is the fun in trying, and challenging yourself to get better!
 
I spent many, many hours scratching my head over fixed blades (and still do), but when I decided to make a slip-joint or two earlier this year, I was all thumbs. It was like I had to learn to walk all over again.

Folders require a new way of thinking. You have to constantly think about 5 steps ahead of what you are actually working on.

I think that every knife maker should, at some point, give folders a try. If for no other reason, you will have a better appreciation for those who make them on a regular basis.

Robert
 
They become addictive. It's like building a little machine. When it finally works smoothly (which can take a while on the first few) it's very gratifying. If you find yourself getting a little bored with what you've been doing or with fixed blades in general, it's a good way to challenge yourself and fun to design with a whole new set of parameters. When you go back to fixed blades, it will be gratifying as well because everything will seem so simple again.

As mentioned above, for almost everyone that carries a knife everyday it will be a folder. Same reason I like making kitchen knives, they get used way more in ordinary life for most people than a skinner or utility knife.

Tooling up for folders can make you go a little cross-eyed. Pick some simple hardware sizes to start with, like all 2-56 screws, and a 3/16" pivot and stop pin. Make sure your drill press table is square with the chuck in all directions.

I think you'd do well in folders. You seem to have the obsessive focus necessary.
 
I think you'd do well in folders. You seem to have the obsessive focus necessary.
Click to expand...

+1 - Patrice I think you under estimate your skills/potential. Go for it!

I'm hoping to make a simple friction folder later this year.
 
I'm not so sure I agree with the other guys. If you don't have fixed blades down pat (and few of us really do), then I think your progress in fixed blades will slow if you get into folders. When I think of all I still have to learn about heat treating, for example, or damascus, or desinging a fantastic bowie like Fisk, or Bump, or any of the other top tier guys, I can't see doing anything but fixed blades. If I need a good folder, well...there's always Ken Onion. Just my two cents...

Dave

edited to add: maybe a good way to get into folders is to start with kits???
 
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i love making them now and then its all about makignn your brain work a bit differently (and yes they can make you want to pull your hair out some times )
 
What do you want to do? Is it really so inportant to stay with the straight knives? And if you do when will you ever get to the point of saying "I've done it all"? I get the feeling that this is no more a money making thing for you than it is for me. What is holding you back? You were able to easily critque your own worn. That will assist you in the folder making.If you have a surface grinder, I don't, it will take a lot of the agravation out of the work. My best to you on whatever you decide to make. It's all good, you know !!! Frank
 
Make a simple friction folder Patrice, that was the advice given to me. Then decide what style floats your boat, to build a rocksolid tactical folder, is considerably less cost than to do a small heavy embellished gents folder, the makers material cost on the elegants can run into the 100s fast! And the tooling involved changes a bit! I used to get a lot of shop time with my mentor before folders, we could hang out build some fix blades, shoot the breeze, but now he's a jeweler, the music is lower, magnifying visor is always on, and when i bring up me building folders my shop time winds down fairly quickly!! Go for it Patrice, your skill set will allow you to complete it, however if your shop time is limited leaving a folder mid build can lead to issues. just my.02:) GHaile
 
What Salem said.

When you get that first folder right the self satisfaction is huge. Your confidence will build with each one and soon you'll start getting creative. Then you'll really start having fun. I made at least 6 liner-lock folders before making my first fixed blade. It's a tough row to hoe, but very satisfying. Go for it. The greatest rewards are not easily achieved but they are worth the effort.
 
I think it's the natural progression, because it seems like it'd be a lot harder to get them just right.

The average simple fixed blade is one piece of steel with a handle.

Even a "simple" slip joint or liner lock is several pieces that need to fit together within some fairly tight tolerences to work just right.

I'm actually working on my first slip joint right now, and I can already tell it's gonna have lots of room for improvement. But if I get something that even half way works, then I think I've found my new obsession within an obsession... hahah
 
Thanks for the good words guys. It's good that obsession is a plus Salem cause I can be just a tad obsessive. ;)

Folders are a little like fixed blades for me, as far as everyday use is concerned, so I'd really like to try a liner lock.

David, that's exactly what I was afraid of but like Frank said, I don't think I'll ever get to the point where I've done it all with fixed blades and I am completely satisfied. I do this for fun and not as a job so might as well give it a try. Since a big part is in the designing, planning and learning what I need, I can do that without cutting down on shop time. (So I can make some headway on that darn dagger) I'd love a surface grinder Frank, that is probably my next big purchase but in a very far future sadly.

Thanks for all your input. I think you guys convinced me. I'll let you know how it progresses.
 
Patrice, just based on what I know and have seen in your work. I think folders would be right up your alley. your attention to detail plays in your favor. I attempted a few folders but stopped in the middle, They are still on the bench and maybe some day I will be patient enough to finish them.

I still have a hard time seeing in my mind how everything fits together and works, I need to tear apart one of my lesser folders and figure it out. Most of my frustration came from not knowing where I was headed.
 
I say go for it as well. During my years as a maker, I have dabbled in folders, a few lockbacks that were not that great and 5 automatics that turned out fairly well. I never stuck with it because of the time and attention it took. I was in the throws of life being a husband, father and public servant while holding down a full time job that included a lot of travel. I just in the last few weeks developed a desire to mess with folders again and am working on making an intergral liner bolster friction folder. I am doing this for my satisfaction more than anything. I am starting with a big one (over 10") to develope the feel and technique and will then build a smaller version. I am enjoying it and it does not seem as stressful as the earlier endevors.
 
nike-just-do-it.jpg
 
BTW yougot to really fight your way through 2 or 3 then they get much easer
here are 3 of my newer ones and one older one
dsc06623sm.jpg

and here are the first 2 (first one was how/why i got into knife making ) the top one is maybe folder #5 (you jjsut cant see all the tings i still ended up hiding under things :)
dsc06858sm.jpg
 
Patrice you have the skills go for it and try it, nothing says you have to stick with it if its not for you.
Myself I've been around edged and sharp stuff all my life (and things that go bang) for me the many times a day
I reach into my pocket for something I've made that works as Salem said as a "little machine" is what its about.
From gutting deer and squirrels to the occasional dress clothes, its very satisfying.
Ken.
 
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I got into knifemaking specifically because I wanted to make folders - the paring knives and stuff are just practice for when I get the gumption to work on folders.
 
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