I am going to blame Jeff and Mike for this build. They got me fired up with Jeff's 123ot and Mikes Statue of Liberty builds. I went on eBay and purchased a Schrade SC524 blade and liners. I made a spring out of a lawn mower blade and put this together. I still have to buff it out and sharpen the blade but it's a prototype I had to take it apart several times to fit the spring. Now that I have a template for the spring, I can improve the handles.With all the great ideas I get from all the knife builders I can't stop
Thank for looking
Nev
Nice work!
The 123's and the 524's seem to go for a premium when they show up on E-Bay. Blades and handles are still available from a couple of sources but the springs aren't. Making one is a great solution.
Jeff
Rdubya21 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 17, 2022 12:27 pm
Great job ! I had thought about old mower blade for spring material but hadn’t tried it . Thanks for that !
Rdubya21
I tried 01 steel for a 125ot. But after 3 attempts I could not get the heat treat correct. So I had used a mower blade before and it worked with out heat treat. So I tried it again. Best thing is to find a old blade in the same thickness you need. I used a blade off a 60'' tractor deck it was thick. It took me some time to grind it to the correct thickness. Grind and cool grind and cool. Save yourself some time.
Hope that helps.
Nev
I took the spring out of the china knife and YES... it does fit.
C247B141-6D10-4616-A0D7-AB58A2DA1B57_1_201_a.jpeg
I put this one together this afternoon. I have more finish work BUT.... the spring sure seems to fit well.
2CF7AB89-DAAC-4074-9104-1A8CE498EAB7_1_105_c.jpeg
Thanks for the information. The seller of the knife parts said a China 123ot would not work. So now we know. I will keep a look out for junk China 123ots
Nev
Nev52 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 18, 2022 11:44 am
Thanks for the information. The seller of the knife parts said a China 123ot would not work. So now we know. I will keep a look out for junk China 123ots
Nev
They are out there.... a dime a dozen.
They usually range in the $18 neighborhood..... shipped!
"Life is tough.... but it's tougher if you're stupid."....John Wayne
Since I got the knife done and all the bugs out of making a spring. I decided to rehandle it in bone. Only one small issue I cracked it at the rocker pin But I think it looks alright.
Nev
Thank you, Mike,
It cannot compare to your knife. I get my inspiration from people like you and others on this site. I am slowly learning this craft, but I have a long way to go. Thank you for the encouragement.
I got the idea of this from Meridian Mike Statue of Liberty Schrade. I used Bourbon Aberdeen bone handles from Culpepper.Not really the pop I expected but it turned out ok.
Just thought I would share.
Nev
Nev52 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 12:44 pm
I got the idea of this from Meridian Mike Statue of Liberty Schrade. I used Bourbon Aberdeen bone handles from Culpepper.Not really the pop I expected but it turned out ok.
Just thought I would share.
NevLiberty knife 2.jpg
Nev52 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 12:44 pm
I got the idea of this from Meridian Mike Statue of Liberty Schrade. I used Bourbon Aberdeen bone handles from Culpepper.Not really the pop I expected but it turned out ok.
Just thought I would share.
NevLiberty knife 2.jpg