I'm having a lot of trouble and need help. Actually HELP. I cannot figure out how to make a rock solid lockup on a lockback knife. I've bought the book "How to Make Folding Knives" and I've done some internet research. Apparently there is some variety on how to make the angles. Let's discuss 4 surfaces, the front and back on the notch in the blade's tang, the front and back of the lever(rocker)'s lug. It seems that the most standard set up is a 90 degree angle for the front of the notch in the tang and then the back of the notch has a very slight backward angle (2 degree to 8 degree) slope, that is, the top of the notch is farther to the rear of the handle- so that the lug enters the notch and then moves down until the back of the lug contacts the back of the notch.
From what I have read the lug on the lever/rocker has angled surfaces both sloping so the the top of the surface is more towards the tip of the blade- such that on the forward surface of the lug the top hits against the top of the blade's notch and on the rear the bottom of the lug is more rearward and hits against the back of the notch.
I'll be okay to start but then rather quickly- after opening and closing a day or two (test fitting- I haven't permanently peened the pins in place) the blade loosens up and starts to wobble. I figured there might be slight wear taking place so I made another rocker and set it about half way in with the thought that with wear it would settled farther down and be okay but I still get a wobble. What is BUGGING me is I can buy a really cheap $3 import lockback and it locks up tight.
WHAT AM I DOING WRONG? I am totally stumped. Thanks for any help.
From what I have read the lug on the lever/rocker has angled surfaces both sloping so the the top of the surface is more towards the tip of the blade- such that on the forward surface of the lug the top hits against the top of the blade's notch and on the rear the bottom of the lug is more rearward and hits against the back of the notch.
I'll be okay to start but then rather quickly- after opening and closing a day or two (test fitting- I haven't permanently peened the pins in place) the blade loosens up and starts to wobble. I figured there might be slight wear taking place so I made another rocker and set it about half way in with the thought that with wear it would settled farther down and be okay but I still get a wobble. What is BUGGING me is I can buy a really cheap $3 import lockback and it locks up tight.
WHAT AM I DOING WRONG? I am totally stumped. Thanks for any help.
