Where to buy folding knife blanks?

E

Eriksen

Joined
Sep 18, 2005
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Can anyone here recommend a good place to buy good folding knife blanks, preferably with damascus blades?
 
I've never seen such a thing.

A folding knife blank seems like it would require a folding knife spring made just for it, which in turn would require liners made just for the spring, and then bolsters made especially for those liners.

That sounds more like a knife kit rather than a blade blank, and if I'd seen such a thing I'd probably already be working on building one.

The best I can offer is that Rough Ryder makes a lockback kit that you put together yourself. I bought one, but can't comment on the quality or build as it's yet to have been removed from it's packaging.

And another thing - why Damascus?
 
birdsbeaks said:
I've never seen such a thing.

A folding knife blank seems like it would require a folding knife spring made just for it, which in turn would require liners made just for the spring, and then bolsters made especially for those liners.

That sounds more like a knife kit rather than a blade blank, and if I'd seen such a thing I'd probably already be working on building one.

The best I can offer is that Rough Ryder makes a lockback kit that you put together yourself. I bought one, but can't comment on the quality or build as it's yet to have been removed from it's packaging.

And another thing - why Damascus?
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OK. Maybe I wrote it in a wrong way. I meant a folder knife without scales. I want to make my own scales and need a good quality folder. I found this site on the web when i searched "folder knife blank" Maybe that is the right for me?
 
Eriksen said:
OK. Maybe I wrote it in a wrong way. I meant a folder knife without scales. I want to make my own scales and need a good quality folder. I found this site on the web when i searched "folder knife blank" Maybe that is the right for me?
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Ok, let's start from the beginning.

First, you'll want to familiarize yourself with the forum rules, which include not posting links to non-supporting sites, before you end up cutting yourself off from the vast reservoir of information available here on bladeforums.

Secondly, the site you linked to is based out of Wazirabad, Pakistan. Not bashing Pakistani knives as I'm certain there are some world-class cutlers there but good damascus is difficult to make and usually comes at a premium price - affordable Pakistani damascus has been proven time and again to not be of good quality (unknown metals, poor heat treat, low to no edge retention, questionable toughness - just a not-good mix of mystery metals).

Finally, you didn't give any context as to why you're in the market for such a thing - but if you're interested in making knives - I'd suggest starting with a fixed blade and going from there. Folding knives, slipjoints in particular, present their own unique set of challenges that are probably best met by someone with extensive experience in the craft and the right equipment to overcome those challenges.

I'm sorry if this sounds judgemental, but in my experience, someone capable of building a quality custom folding knife probably isn't considering sourcing their parts from a site like the one you linked to.

I say either go with a good quality fixed blade blank of a known steel, which are readily available, or if you insist on folding - try searching for the Rough Ryder lockback kit I mentioned earlier. Rough Ryder, at the very least, has demonstrated that they can properly harden a blade consistently.
 
Eriksen said:
Can anyone here recommend a good place to buy good folding knife blanks, preferably with damascus blades?
Click to expand...

Let's see if I can help instead of chastise...I think you are looking for a folding knife kit. That is what you should look for in a Google search.

Here are a couple of good places to start. Everyone starts somewhere and it's not always the same place.



 
birdsbeaks said:
I've never seen such a thing.

A folding knife blank seems like it would require a folding knife spring made just for it, which in turn would require liners made just for the spring, and then bolsters made especially for those liners.

That sounds more like a knife kit rather than a blade blank, and if I'd seen such a thing I'd probably already be working on building one.

The best I can offer is that Rough Ryder makes a lockback kit that you put together yourself. I bought one, but can't comment on the quality or build as it's yet to have been removed from it's packaging.

And another thing - why Damascus?
Click to expand...
I just got one of the stockman RR kits which is still almost certainly beyond my skill level because I am pretty sure I don’t have a skill level.
 
Eriksen said:
Can anyone here recommend a good place to buy good folding knife blanks, preferably with damascus blades?
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Try finding a knife with hollow stamped sheet metal “shell construction” handles, and use that as your raw materials. Mikov still makes one, or you can get used Imperials cheap on the auction site. I have only basic tools and limited work space (and even more limited talent), and I managed to make a couple of decent knives with good walk and talk that way.

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You might want to get a small sheet of brass to make the liners - the originals will have a notch in them where the tabs which hold the handles on go. The extra pin on the Mikov is because the spring does not wrap around the butt end, so I put a spacer there. I made a handle for the leftover can opener blade, too…
 
As noted, there are several suppliers offering folding knife kits. Because someone hasn't seen them doesn't mean they don't exist.
 
If you aren't set on a slipjoint you could always buy a decent budget folder and replace the scales with ones you make yourself. Like a CIVIVI Appalachian Drifter II, or one of their Damascus liner locks.
 
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fishface5 said:
If you aren't set on a slipjoint you could always buy a decent budget folder and replace the scales with ones you make yourself. Like a CIVIVI Appalachian Drifter II, or one of their Damascus liner locks.
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I see they sell many nice looking folders on Aliexpress dirt cheap. Do you think these are of decent quality or crap steel from Pakistan?
 
If it's cheap . . . it's cheap. But you could always practice on a cheap knife, then spend more once you have gotten better
 
Eriksen said:
I see they sell many nice looking folders on Aliexpress dirt cheap. Do you think these are of decent quality or crap steel from Pakistan?
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You're on the right track: get a knife with removable scales and make new ones. It might be economical to use a cheap knife. But when you're done, you might look at your beautiful work, all the time invested, and wish you had started with a nicer knife. But if you start with a cheap knife and goof it all up, you won't be out much. Post pictures of your work when you're finished.
 
Eriksen said:
Can anyone here recommend a good place to buy good folding knife blanks, preferably with damascus blades?
Click to expand...
Saw some damascus folder blanks, Made by Raffir on Ground Flat Stock in UK
Several Damascus patterns available
I have no affiliation with GFS just passing on Info
 
Eriksen said:
I see they sell many nice looking folders on Aliexpress dirt cheap. Do you think these are of decent quality or crap steel from Pakistan?
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"Dirt cheap" and "damascus" mix as well as fire and gasoline. You should turn and run quickly from either.

Quality Damascus/pattern welded steel is expensive for good reason.

I agree with buying a simple budget folder and start by making replacement scales.

You will want to quickly familiarize yourself with wire gauge size drill bits.
 
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