Update #1: An in-progress folder - an itch I had to scratch.

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Jul 27, 2003
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It's no secret that my closest and oldest knife making friend is Jerry Rados.
Jerry was my first real exposure into making knives.
Of course, Jerry is known for his impeccable multi-bar flawless Turkish Twist, and when you match that up with a full Damascus auto folder with fluted MOP and gold inlay and jewels, etc., he makes a knife that few people have even held.
A knife like that was one of the fist hand made knives I ever held.
Quite an intro into knife making. :eek:
Well, that was 17 years ago and they just seem to keep on ticking by.
Making folders is something that has been on my back burner for a loooooooooooong time.
I just finally had to make it happen.
Jerry and I are now separated by about 1000 miles, so running over to his house, like in the past, is no longer an option.
For about a year, I have been bugging Keith Johnson, here in northern Minnesota, to give me a few lock-back lessons.
Once some other guys heard about it, they also asked to join in.
So, this past weekend, Keith delivered up in spades, and four of us gathered at his shop for some instruction.
Keith only stood back and gave assistance, and we all did our own hands-on work. So everything is sole authorship.
This is not done, but I was sitting here at the computer doing some photo work and thought I'd toss this up.
I had my own plan, as far as what I wanted to make, so what you see here is all carbon steel - 15N20 frame, 1080 lock-bar and rear spacer, and a laddered Damascus blade.
Everything is all hardened and such.
I wanted all carbon steel so I could hot-blue everything.
The scales are early 20th century Bakelite.
I have so much work to do this year, I'm sure I won't get this done for another couple weeks or so, but here is the first folder from Andersen Forge - not-yet-done.
I tip my hat to Keith for his help and Jerry Rados for his never ending inspiration.







 
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Very happy to see you stretching out a bit from "the familiar." I am particularly glad to see you giving a folder a try. In the long term, I think you will be happy that you take time now and again to do new things like this, as I think that will open new avenues and vistas for you.
 
And before I forget, I wanted to be certain to say that my good friend Chuck Gedraitis has been a constant inspiration and source of information for me. Not only prior to this project, but year 'round.
Chuck is one of the good guys. :thumbup:
Thanks, Chuck.
 
I had a few moments to devote to this today and I thought I'd give a little better presentation of the direction this is headed.
Still quite a few hours of work.
I use the other 1/2 done knives for size comparison.
The blade still needs to be ground and the Damascus etched, as well as all the frame pieces getting hot-blued.
I'm liking it. :)





 
I'll be watching this. I got the same itch over Christmas. I have a few drawings but haven't decided on my final design. This is looking good.
 
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