Update on friction folder project...

Well, I sent my friction folder blade to Rob Simonich after I found that heat treating it at home wasn't working. He burned it with a batch of other L-6 blades and it turns out that it only came to an Rc of 50, using a Wilton tester. All the other blades turned out perfect, so apparently my free peiece of steel wasn't L-6! Either that or somehow my attempts at heat treating it (which also left it too soft) somehow destroyed it. Interestingly, the knifemaker that sent me the steel said that he has sold many blades made from the same piece, and every customer has been happy, plus the blades harden properly. Who knows?! Interesting twist to the story, though, and it was easy stuff to file and grind so I got a lot of good practice.
I think I'll probably go ahead and still finish the knife, though, as it will be good practice. Plus it will serve fine as a letter opener or something, so it isn't like the project can't be completed due to the low hardness. Rob took pity on me and sent a nice piece of 1084 to me, too! What a guy! I can't decide now whether to split it up into a few folder blades or turn it into a fixed blade. I need another FB like I need a hole in the head, but I don't have a metal cutting bandsaw, so turning the 7" long bar into folder blades may be too difficult with hand tools. I'll probably take the easy road out!
anyway, just thought you guys would be interested to see what's happening...

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My Knife & Sheath Pages:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/frames.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
Sheath Makers Referral Directory
agocs_s@dd.palmer.edu
Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html
 
R

Ryan Meyering

Joined
May 4, 1999
Messages
534
Hello there Chiro,

You might want to take a look at the Harbor Freight bandsaw; I just got one and it works great! It was $166 shipped, definitely money well spent.

As for the folder, go for it! I'd be interested to hear how it comes out.
smile.gif


Ryan

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For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23


 
Too bad about the steel, Chiro. When I first got started in this I made some blades out of mild steel (1018) and actually expected them to work.
Unhardened 1084 isn't too tough to cut with a hacksaw, I'd go for another folder. It's just so cool to pull out a folding knife to show to your friends when you hear them doubting that you made it.

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Oz

"Over a long enough time frame, everyones life expectancy drops to zero."
http://www.freespeech.org/oz/
 
Chiro, are there pics of this project on you site? I'd like to see them. Are you still using purple heart for the scales? Maybe if you get that blade cryo treated it'll be more suitable for your needs.

Jake
 
A friction folder is a primitive style of folding knife with no locking mechanism. It relys on a tight fit to keep it open or closed. Many styles have a tang extension that overlaps onto the handle when in the open position so that it is held open when gripped. Here's a pic of the blade of the one I'm working on.
<img src=http://www.freespeech.org/oz/leafy2.jpg>
I'm using antler for the handle.

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Oz

"Over a long enough time frame, everyones life expectancy drops to zero."
http://www.freespeech.org/oz/
 
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