slipjoint design question

[Crockett]

Guys I notice that when you make a slip joint knife you make your kicks different than I?ve been doing it. I have had zero training in slip joints, I?ve just made a few by doing what seems right. I don?t have any specific problems, I?m just wondering if there?s any improvements I can make. I?ve been making them like the top drawing, I?ve tried to create what I see in yours with the bottom drawing. Is there a functional difference or is it just esthetic? For example I have no exposed tang for my mark so I put it on the main bevel.

I?m just looking and learning! My wife is already giving me a hard time about spending on steel, belts and other stuff. Books and videos would add to the grief I?m getting from her. I remember when I was single?(did I just say that out loud?)

Thanks
Don

[doublearrow]

I'll let the experts chime in, but I don't know that there is a right or wrong there. Mine are like the second drawing and probably because most of the knives I have seen are done that way. I can't recall any forumulas or rough dimensions for the tang so like I said I don't know that it's right or wrong. Interested in what others have to say.

[Don Robinson]

Whatever looks best to you, Don. Great makers use both methods. I try to make my slipjoints look as authentic as possible and have made my designs based on the measurements from an old knife each time. Now I'm referring to using the old patterns, not a new design.

I took direct measurements from an old Saleman's Knife for my Texas Toothpick, which is still in my bench drawer, and years ago I used a collector's George Wostenheim barlow for the dimensions on my barlow design.

I prefer a larger kick on slipjoints than the toothpick has, but that would have forced the tang and pivot downward in the handle, exposing the corner of the blade tang when the knife is closed. That wouldn't have been authentic.

[Crockett]

Thanks guys. I kind of like 'em both.

[doublearrow]

Originally Posted by Crockett

I kind of like 'em both.

I agree just depends on the knife I suppose.

[CWKnifeman]

After a while and you've made many, many folders you may deside to chose one over the other, but what those before me have said it is totally up to the maker, and the knife.
Good luck with the folder bug. And remember that the stupidest question is the one never asked, no matter how simple or trivial it may seem.
Curtis Wilson

[Don Robinson]

Don, I never start a folding knife without having made the complete design beforehand. I always design the knife blade and handle to leave at least a little exposed tang.

By cutting the front of the handle back as far as possible on the tang end, the blade/handle ratio is changed for the better.

I prefer to have the handle only long enough to cover the closed blade. Nothing extra.