Mt Man Folder II

[Gene Chapman]

Starting a new thread so it will open faster because of images.

This is Gary's folder, he traced the handle on paper, used a compass to determine blade length, penciled in a blade, cut it out, made a cardboard one to see how it fit, then made a sheet metal one (oversize). The sheet metal one seems to work OK.

All that just to see what shape a blade could be. Anyway thats how it's being done here, almost live, here in Puget Sound, dang another sunny day, will it never start raining so I can get back to forging.

[Dana Acker]

Lookin' good. Can't wait to see the finished project. Good impromptu tutorial. Thanks.

[Raymond Richard]

Bitch, bitch, bitch, will it ever stop raining. Bitch, bitch, bitch, will it ever start raining. Light the forge, it ain't that hot. You darn Northwestener's never stop complaining. Thanks for the information!

[Gene Chapman]

Ray,

[Raymond Richard]

[Gene Chapman]

Here is the folder I started, Sanbar stag handle, it's slotted, a cardboard blade was made from a paper tracing of the drawing, then sheet metal one cut out, scraped some more, filed the sheet metal till it folds in the slot. The actual blade will proably vary in size and shape.

Next is the spring, hey wouldn't that small tip make a trick minature folder??

[Keith Montgomery]

Wouldn't it?

I sure am enjoying these instructional threads Gene, thanks.

[John]

Originally posted by Gene Chapman


Next is the spring, hey wouldn't that small tip make a trick minature folder??

I like to drill a hole in the end about 1/4" deep and glue in a leather thong, then make a lanyard out of it then glue another one on the other end.

[Roger Gregory]

Great threads Gene, I really enjoy seeing all the 'how to' stuff. That's going to be a really nice little knife.

That antler tip would make a great toggle/button for a pouch or bag.

Roger

[Chris Daigle]

Great looking Gene! Can't wait to see the finished folder/s!! 8o

Chris

[Jeff Higgins]

I love it when we can get a good info thread rolling! Some forums are way to busy showing pics of their wives and kittens to get serious about making knives. I love CKD!!!

[Gene Chapman]

That antler tip looked so nice, began slotting it today, the holders are 3/32 welding wire and drill rod, easier than making a fixture but not as rigid.

[Gene Chapman]

Crummy pic but shows the size.

[bkitchen]

Hey Gene when making the blade do u want the back part that swivels to be squared off like that? I assume that is to catch the spring better? I'm trying to make one too as you go along.

[Gene Chapman]

The tang can be square with rounded corners or more of a round shape. I have junked a bunch of worn out folders over the years. the older ones usually had a square tang (with rounded corners).


Forging the spring is next, it's a lot of hurry up and wait, meaning forge, let it air cool, see how it looks on the antler, forge some more, air cool, eyeball it some more, forge, air cool, etc. Note all the air cool cycles. Never cool a spring in the slack tub water.

This project will take a while, there are three of us making folders now, my son, Mario and I. Doing it in our spare time.



Some old blades, one has a round end. Note: the distance from blade pin hole is greater to the back (round or square end) than from the top and bottom of the tang (back square and tang front).

The stuff in the (---------) are the cutlers terms for areas on the folder tang, from "The complete book of Pocketknife repair", by Ben Kelly Jr, circa 1982.