Working on our first frame lock

K

Kody23

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May 6, 2012
Messages
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Me and my brother have been working on our first frame lock for about two weeks now and this is what we got so far. The blade is .130 aebl, .180 black g-10 handles, .125 titanium framelock. We also made a custom oversized thumstud for it. The lockup is perfect at about 15 percent. We plan on conceal carrying the g-10 and grinding the blade tomorrow. We are thinking about doing a small batch of these in a higher end steel in the near future. What do you guys think of it (harsh critism is welcome:))? Also, what type of finishes would look good on this knife? Does anybody know of someone that would be willing to heat treat these too?
 
Looking good so far. I would suggest a but smoother curves on the blade edge and thumb ramp area as well as the butt. I just feel that it would make if flow together more smoothly. Also I would see about thinning the g10 scale to match the lock side a bit closer. This is not meant to be a slam on the knife at all. Just possible suggestions. Keep in mind you are well ahead of me having never made a folder at all.
 
Thanks for you comment. I thinned down the g10 and contoured it, beveled the titanium, and ground the blade today. I'm pretty satisfied with the results since its only my first one. I'll post some better pictures in the morning.
 
I agree about the smoother thumb-ramp area.
I also think the detent hole should be hidden when the blade is open.
I would prefer beefier screws but I'm strange because I'm sure those work fine.

Seems like your lock geometry is good. (An obsession of mine.)
Overall, I think it's a good knife, but it's the fine details that can set it apart.
 
OK so here is my critique.

Material choices are great quality and the general proportions look about right, at least in the ballpark. The construction and geometry look solid but what I don't see is any unique design qualities. It is very generic.

Now for the details. When I design a folder, I start mocking up the lines of the knife in the closed position. An attractive knife flows... lines meet up and intersect and diverge with distinction and purpose. You have several points where the knife lines just...end. The handle must be a visual and ergonomic extension of the blade. It seems your design has a blade and a handle but there is little marriage between the two designs in either the closed or open configuration.

Finally to be a true pocket knife you need a well designed pocket clip.

Again this is totally my opinion only.
 
Thanks for the comment. We mainly just come up with something that would work so we could see if we could actually make a titanium frame lock. I do admit it looks a little weird but its pretty ergonomic but with that said now since we know we can actually make a full fuctioning knife we have a couple designs we want to make that are a lot more thought out and more pleasing to the eye. That one was just a good learning process and the next ones will turn out a lot better, at least that's what we're hopping for lol.
 
Sorry I haven't posted any more pictures yet. I got the blade ground and finished the titanium (flame anodized it) and I heavily contoured the g-10. Would you guys like to see the progress so far?
 
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