Make what you carry

[Brent]

I heard this phrase ( make the knife you carry) the other day and it kinda changed what i was thinking about making a folder. Even not making one nice enough to sell i could at least carry it and use it or give one to a friend. I like trying.
All these knifeblades, except the friction folders, are premade. I can buy the solgin blades for $1-$2 each. The first folder i finished, looked good and i told my wife it even works like a real knife. I have trouble with the springs. The two larger knives were a little harder on making the springs. One is tight and the other is a little loose. One i used scraps; steel for the liner and walnut. The last large folder has brass liners and peruvian alder handles. I hope the pics are decent. I also tried my hand at file work.
I bought my grandaughters a tackle box with fishing stuff in it for Christmas. I made each one a fixed blade for the tackle box.
Use what you make and make what you use. Thanks for looking.

[Diligence]

Excellent creations Brent. I really like the mosaic pin inset on the first one.

Why don't you tell us about your spring making adventures? I'm sure somebody will have a tip or two to offer you.

Cheers,
D

[gmusic]

Good job......looks very functional.

Yea, those back springs are a little tricky!

[Brent]

i tried cutting the springs straight and then bent them a little for a tighter fit. the book shows cutting sort of an arch. I also tried hardening one and it broke. any secrets out there would help. they are functional but the more i do the better things seem to work. thanks

[justacowboy]

I've only made a few but they ended up working well.
When I make one , make sure that the tab like piece that rests against the blade is a little oversized.It will stick up beyond the liners a tad. then slowly file it down till it fits good and snug.
As far as hardening and heat treating , ten people will give ten different answers.
I heat it to just beyond the point where a magnet no longer sticks - oil quench ,then using a small hand held torch slowly (very slowly) bring it up to blue. air cool and your all set.
Never had one break.
Some prefer to temper it in the oven , and one knife maker told me he keeps an old cast iron pan 1/2 full of lead alloy. He puts it on the stove and heats it slowly until the lead melts. once it's melted it won't stick to the spring. soak it for about 5 minutes ,remove and air cool.

[gmusic]

Cowboy gave you some good advice.

Hardening is one thing, but you must then "temper" the spring afterwards. Try what he suggested with the torch. Blue color only no hotter, or you will loose the "spring" from the steel.

[Brent]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the help. I didn't do the temper part. I'm sure it makes all the difference. when i give it a shot i will let you know how it turned out. thanks, again brent.

[Hukk]

Gary is right about the blue color, it can be done on an electric stove top - a hot plate set to 450 even (30 min I think, but I would have to check my heat treaters guide for each steel), but not hot enough will leave it brittle. If you have access to a camp stove the lead in a frying pan is just about fool proof - the melt point of lead (~620F) is close enough to make a servicable spring at 4-5 minutes. I would only use lead outdoors or with GREAT ventilation!

[brady806]

brent that file work is great ----------------brady