All About Pocket Knives

I set out last year to make a slip joint folder, I promptly messed it up and moved on.

Just last week I got the bug to go at it again.................. I started this one on Sunday, it still needs about five hours work to fine tune it. I'll post the finished pictures............

It's ATS-34, with nickel silver bolsters? (why didn't I just use the ATS) 410 liners and some really cool Sambar Stag scales. It's 8" overall, with a 3 5/8" blade. I may change the blade profile a bit before I pin it.

Anyhow.......................I'm pretty pleased with my first folder

That looks great Gary.
Pretty nice for your first folder!

Dale

That's pretty nice! If that's your first folder, holy cow!

Years from now, we can say "we knew you when"

Glenn

Thanks Dale, Glenn,

Here's the finished knife. I don't really care for the contrast between the stainless pivot pin and the nickel silver bolsters..................but hey, I can always change the pin. She's one sturdy gal, sharp as a razor and has just become my EDC. I really liked working with the ATS-34, it's pretty cool stuff.

Dale......................what can you tell me about pin spinners?

gmusic wrote:Thanks Dale, Glenn,

Here's the finished knife. I don't really care for the contrast between the stainless pivot pin and the nickel silver bolsters..................but hey, I can always change the pin. She's one sturdy gal, sharp as a razor and has just become my EDC. I really liked working with the ATS-34, it's pretty cool stuff.

Dale......................what can you tell me about pin spinners?

That is lookin' SWEET Gary!!

Pin spinners................. They are very hard to make!
I can make them but I am having a hard time getting them heat treated properly without an oven.
You have an oven for heat treating, right? We can work sumthin' out here I'm a thinkin'!

I think you have my phone number....... give me a call and we can make this work.

Dale

Gary,

Your first folder is every bit as amazingly impressive as your first fixed blade knife was.

I'm beginning to think you are a natural.

Very nice work.


Phil

Thanks Phil.......................

Other than cosmetic issues, the knife functions great! Snaps like a trap, sharp...............very sharp! Feels really nice in the hand, it's light weight, and I think it has the perfect spring tension.

I'll tote this one around for a year or so and use it everyday, gotta find the weak spots!

Looks great Gary! But then anyone who has seen your other work should not be surprised at all!

Just a simple note. When I use nickle silver material for the bolsters I normally make the pins the same.It will hold up just as well as the brass one did on early folders. Just thought that you might keep that in mind for future use.
The finished knife looks really well done.
Curtis Wilson

Thanks Smoke!

Thanks for the feedback Curtis.................

I learned as many don'ts as do's with this little project.............It was fun, challenging and at times very frustrating! I figure I can cut the time in half on the next one, and hopefully it will come out much cleaner.


Take care

PS. Curtis I don't think your link is working........................

Gary,

VERY NICE folder ...... are you making them just for the fun of it or do you plan on making some and selling them ?

I'm impressed !!!!!

Hey Gary, I think you nailed it man! I really like the way you matched the scales too.
Fantastic work period

Thanks Dean! I'm a hobby knife-maker now, maybe when I get good enough I'll sell a few. I hate to sell something I'm not 100% satisfied with.




Perry,
Thank you for the encouraging words and the feedback............you da man!

Gary, I don't know everything about knives and that is obvious but I do know great work when I see it. Little things tend to stick out to your own eye, I know you can see some things you would do better next time but it's still Super Fine work for your first folder, or my 100th folder, if I tried to make one.

Wow Gary! It's been a long time since I've had time to even get on AAPK and then I see this post of your first folder. Man you are doing some fantasic knifework!

That looks every bit as good as your first fixed blade. Fantastic work!

By the time I get time to lurk on here and see what you're up to in a few months from now you'll be famous and in the printed knife magazines!

Lookin' Good!

Thanks Craig!

Where the heck you been! I hope your so busy making and selling knives that's all you have time for.................well, sort of. A guy has to enjoy life also.

This second folder I'm working on is giving me fits.....................but I'm a patient man.

Take care

Come around more often....................lets us know what's up!

Hey Gary,
I've been busy since April. I took my small screenprinting/sign operation and moved it to a retail location. When I did I also started selling hunting and fishing supplies, guns, ammo, reloading supplies, and of course........KNIVES! The business has really kept me busy and I don't have as much time to get on here with my friends on AAPK anymore.

I have 7 knives waiting to either have handles put on them or be made from scratch and I ain't had time to do them yet. I'm hoping to get some time soon as I have a guy hired on an as needed basis to watch the store. Right now he's needed so I can come home to the knife shop and make knives! Trouble is, we have too much at the shop to get done to let me get out of there even with his help!

But, don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining at all. I'm doing much better than I expected to be this early in the start up stages of my store!

Good to talk to you again and keep up the great knifework!

looks awesome Gary, especially for your first. Careful, making folders is addictive!

It sure can Kaleb!

Thanks a bunch.........................

that turn out great Gary congrat!!
looking forward your next slip-joint

Thanks Falah!

I have one out on the bench to finish up, one has to pace himself.

Awesome job on the knife Gary!!

looks great - better than my first one! i still have my first slipjoint i built - i cut the nail pull so deep it went threw so i just went ahead and open it up all the way - i haven't made a custom in a few years but i dug out a few of my personal collection to sell - i started out making slipjoints - no one told me they were harder to build i built a few hundred before hanging it up. I still customize knive's and engrave - guess it's in my blood - here's a pix of one of my custom folding hunters - sorry about the poor pix i need to re-shoot it - tom
http://www.twhudsonengraver.com

Thanks hunter, I appreciate the compliments!


Tom, I find folders to be both challenging and frustrating.........I have had no formal training, just learn as you go. The principal is simple enough until you pin it all together and go awwwwww OK.....................I guess ten or fifteen more of these and I'll have it down pretty good......................great fun though!

gmusic wrote:Thanks hunter, I appreciate the compliments!


Tom, I find folders to be both challenging and frustrating.........I have had no formal training, just learn as you go. The principal is simple enough until you pin it all together and go awwwwww OK.....................I guess ten or fifteen more of these and I'll have it down pretty good......................great fun though!

maybe it's not so much an issue now but back when i starded building folders a lot of the guys were scared to death of building a knife with a spring - Case & most of the other factory knives Rockwell their blades at 57 to 58 but the key is to Rockwell that spring at 46 to 47 - i have built hundreds of folders & i don't know of ever having a spring brake that i know of - I have a single blade copper head in my pocket that i built & that i have carried & used every day since early 1990 and it still walk's & Talk's -

I'll repeat myself - 47/48 Rockwell C on the spring & you will never have a problem as long as you use good quality steel - i used nothing but ATS34 on every single knife i ever built - for the blades & the springs - tom