Making a folding knife with little tools?

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Minibear464

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Jul 14, 2011
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Is this possible? By little I mean a file, sandpaper, a drill, some bits, and a saw. Nothing fancy. If it is possible, what kind of folder would be the easiest to make? I'd prefer locking, so that rules out a friction folder. Also, what will I use for the pivot? A regular old screw? Thanks for helping.
 
pivots are sold at usaknifemaker, jantz, etc you might find something at your local hardware store.
 
They were making folders before they made electricity..................... so it's possible.

I think you might wanna include some way to hold this sucker while you file away on it, which you'll be doing for awhile. A vise would be nice. Or at least a couple of clamps or vice-grips to hold your blank to a knife block.

I'm MORBIDLY curious here. Have you made a straight knife this way before? That ( or a knife kit ) might be something to consider given your stated tool selection. Folders are more ambitious then straight knives to start with IMHO.

You might wanna watch this video:

http://www.youtube.com/user/MrIronman1979#p/u/27/n4fXt9hWvRE

Good luck with this - Some work in progress pics would be encouraging to all the would be makers in here.

Syn
 
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I've never made a knife before, and I'm just locating the materials right now. I'm going to order them in around two weeks, so they'll be here the moment finals is over. I'm thinking of buying from sheffield's knife supply- heard good things about there.
 
If you look back in the early 90's Randy Whittman out of Seymour , Mo. was making folders by hand. He is Amish and he forged his straight knives with BBQ charcoal and filed and used sandpaper to finish his work. He also did some slip joints and at one time even his daughter had made a few.
 
It can be done, and it isn't much harder than with all the fancy tools. It takes a little longer but not too bad. I did a framelock a few months ago that way just to show that it could be done.


http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/879116-Frame-lock-WIP-how-to.


A linerlock would probably be a little bit easier just because thick titanium is kind of annoying to file. Or leave the handle slabs flat with rounded edges like more sensible people do :D I chose the design I did specifically to be a difficult knife to make with hand tools. A smaller, simpler knife would be much much easier to make this way.


If you are good with your hands and very patient you should be able to make a usable folder the first time. If you aren't super confident in your skills though, it's probably best to make a few fixed blades first to get your feet wet.


Good luck and have fun!
 
My first folders were done with nothing more than a drill press and files. Of course it was slow going, and would have helped if I'd had some basic knife making skills to start with.

Out of all the folders I've tried, I like liner locks the best, there simple and strong, and easy to clean and maintain, and I hesitate to say easier to make, but they are a simple action. If I can make a decent one, anybody should be able too.
 
Pivots don't have to be screws. Pins work as well, or better. A common finishing nail will work fine
 
If I use a pin for the folder, most likely it'd be made of brass. How would I secure the pin? By gluing it to the outside scale? Or by peening it in place? (And peening is just tapping the pin with a hammer so the head expands, correct?)
 
Pretty much. First ones I did were more of the traditional type slip joints and a few lock backs. I used brass brazing rod. Peen in place. Basicaly you counter sink the bolster slightly and use the peen end of a small ball peen hammer and swell just the ends, too much and you coin the blade into the liners, or lock the blade in place.

Best thing is to get a book on folders, I think the one I started with is "how to make folding knives" It's all about lock backs, but got some really good info in it.
 
Pivot pins should be peened in place.
Yes, you expand the head by hammering-gently.
 
Thanks for all the responses. Also, for the knife, I'm to use titanium scales right? (I'm thinking frame lock right now.) How would I cut the titanium, cut out the lock, and where would I buy the titanium?
 
Minibear464 said:
Thanks for all the responses. Also, for the knife, I'm to use titanium scales right? (I'm thinking frame lock right now.) How would I cut the titanium, cut out the lock, and where would I buy the titanium?
Click to expand...

Read this book.
Its out of print, but you can buy used ones & also see an E-book here
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-making-books-on-Google?p=6451165#post6451165


attachment.php
 
Thanks for all the replies. Especially the book, it really helps a lot. One question though. Supposing I can't get titanium, would it be possible to make a liner lock out of 1/8" thick 1084 steel? If so, do I need to heat treat it, or do anything special?
 
It's up to you to decide on thickness.

I like thin liners, but thick frame locks are really popular now.

Titanium can be cut drilled, filed, hacksawn and worked by hand with no problems.
 
Thanks for all the help! Except you have to order $25 at AKS... haha it's okay, I guess. More materials for me! :D

Also... brass wouldn't work for a stop pin, would it? What should I use for the stop pin instead?
 
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Sorry for the bump, but I need help with the material for the stop pin. Right now, I'm ordering from AKS and Sheffields.
 
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