Minimum tooling needed for Slipjoints?

[Brian.Evans]

Well, part of my steel order from Aldo was some 3/32 A2. I'd like to take part in the madness that is slipjoint making. #I've been reading and reading and looking at pictures and various tutorials all over the Internet, but the more I read, the more questions I have.#

Today I bought an old Schrade Walden Grafting slip to take apart and use for a pattern. The blade is mostly shot, so there's no hope of restoring it. However, I can make a pretty close replica of this shadow pattern folder.#

So here's my question; what are the drill bits and assorted items I need to do this right.#
There looks to be 3/32" and 3/16" pins so I'm assuming a #43 bit and a 3/32" ream, and a #13 bit and a 3/16" ream would work? #What about a countersink to chamfer the holes so the peened ends have somewhere to sit? #Which one? #Anything else I absolutely must have? #I'm not planning on using a bushing, just for information.#

Can I use plain brass rod for the pins and pivot? #I've never actually seen anyone say. It sounds like such a dumb question typing it, but I guess I need to know.#

I'm just ready to learn the slipjoint art. It seems to combine my love of knives and mechanical stuff. #It also seems to satisfy my desire to have very difficult hobbies. Lol I figure by the time I've made 100 or so I might understand them a little.

Oh one other thing, the only experience I have peening is on straight razors and on those the rivet is rounded above the washer. On a knife is it just mushroomed out into the countersunk area then sanded flat? #I want to make sure I get all these niggling questions answered before I get going. Thanks to everyone for being so patient.

[Brad Johnson]

Welcome to the world of slipjoint making, I hope your A-2 was precision ground. If, not you may want to buy some or if you have a friend with a surface grinder that can clean it up. You need tight tolerences on a slipjoint to do a quality job.
Good luck

[Don Robinson]

Brian, have you gone thru the stickies at the top of this forum?

They will answer all your questions.

If not, read thru the slipjoint sticky and then ask any questions you have and we'l be happy to help you.

[Brian.Evans]

Don, indeed I have. In fact, it was your walk through/WIPs/online class that spurred me and motivated me to do this! I may (eventually) buy your Texas toothpick design, but for now I have three different slippies that are in various states of me taking them apart; and old Imperial boy scout knife, the aforementioned Schrade grafter, and an 84 Case three blade with two broken blades. I figure I can use any of them for patterns. I'm not attempting even bolsters right now, but rather will convert the design to shadow patterns for my first few.

I had planned on G10 for the scales, but I have to put in an order for some other stuff anyway, so I'll probably have to get some micarta. I've a serious jonesing for a Blue/green slippie.

Does it sound like I'm on the right path?

[Don Robinson]

That's about the way I got started. I didn't need to take them apart. I measured everything and then made my designs using CAD from the actual dimensions.