Friction folders

[jojo]

I have made myself a couple of friction folders, using off cuts of steel and bits and pieces I had lying around.

The little one. Including the tail , the 3mm thick blade is 4" long. The pivot point is 2 1/2" from the tip. The handle is just about 2 1/2" long, an offcut of stabilised Burr Elm. Pivot is 4 mm steel (from a tent peg!) and a couple of flattened copper roves, the stop pin is 2.5mm brass rod from a model shop. Now lives in my pocket permanently!

The bigger one. The blade (4mm thick offcut) is 4 1/4" long including the tail. The tail is shorter, 35mm to the pivot so the blade is 2 1/2" long. The handle on this one is Boxwood, a very hard dense wood.

When I get some more metal in, I am going to make a "bushcraft" friction folder, with a 3" to 4" blade, with a stronger pin and probably Boxwood handle! Got it all planned in my head..

Enjoy them!

What do you think of the Bushcraft friction folder idea?

 

[zorro]

Looking good chap. A bushy friction folder? Go for it!

 

[Shewie]

Brilliant as ever Joel, lovely stuff

 

[AJB]

Those are just lovely, I so wish I had that kind of skill. And please post pictures of the next one.

Green eyed!

 

[dwardo]

They are lovely

 

[TeeDee]

Love the file work on the middle one.

Good stuff!!

 

[Draven]

Very nice work! Gotta love friction folders

My thoughts on a Bushy FF - thick, sturdy pin as you say - *** are simple enough that I don't believe they would be incapable of pretty heavy work (heavy for a folder at least!) with sturdy enough pins. Would also be nice if the tang was hard enough to use a firesteel! Should make a nice alternative to a fixed blade, a bit more native friendly

Pete

 

[jojo]

Very nice work! Gotta love friction folders

My thoughts on a Bushy FF - thick, sturdy pin as you say - *** are simple enough that I don't believe they would be incapable of pretty heavy work (heavy for a folder at least!) with sturdy enough pins. Would also be nice if the tang was hard enough to use a firesteel! Should make a nice alternative to a fixed blade, a bit more native friendly

Pete

Actually, that's a good idea, using the tang for the firesteel, saves the back of the blade, and you could use it with the knife closed. Shouldn't be too difficult hardening the tang. If I can keep the tang hard enough, we could also use that with a piece of flint...

Any other ideas welcome!

 

[addo]

They look excellent. love the materials and filework.

 

[Chris the Cat]

Love that 'little un' ( like them all to be honest,but thats my fave!)
If there was a way of using the tang for fire duties but keeping most of the filework
(which realy adds to the whole look,beauty in a utilitarian world!) then they would be perfect! Just add a neat leather belt case!!
Are you going into limited prodution on these babies? If so would you consider putting me down for one!?
My best.
Chris.

 

[Draven]

Actually, that's a good idea, using the tang for the firesteel, saves the back of the blade, and you could use it with the knife closed. Shouldn't be too difficult hardening the tang. If I can keep the tang hard enough, we could also use that with a piece of flint...

Any other ideas welcome!

That flint n steel idea would rock too

Problem, though, with getting the tang that hard IMO is that it might break if it was a conventional steel, especially since the tang is so narrow.. I think that Mike Ameling experimented with some tougher modern steels for use as a steel striker belt buckle, so he may have suggestions as to what could be hard and tough enough...

Pete

 

[Jeannius61]

Neat little knives! I really like the filework.
Thanks for showing.

 

[Justin Time]

Nice. The rounded end to the tang is a good idea. I've got a lovely wee friction folder I use for EDC and have poked my hand a few times on the squared end when searching for it in a pocket.

 

[Shinken]

very nice mate, i especially like the elm one!

 

[jojo]

Thanks for all the nice comments.

Justin. That's why I rounded it. I wanted to keep the knife in my pocket and didn't want sharp corners in there!

Shinken. Yes It's nice wood. Just a shame I am running out of it!

Draven. Yeah, I thought about the possibility of breaking the tang if it's too hard. I also thought it may be possible to attach a hardened bit of steel to the soft tang, could be riveted. The first blade won't have that, because I have already cut it, using 3mm. I'll make another one out of 4mm, and I think I'll try to rivet a hardened piece to the back of the tang. That may work.

 

[stevec038]

I'm with Chris the Cat. The small one would be very welcome in my pocket. Are you considering making to order or a small production and offer. They look to be worth odering even with any hassles of sending to the US. Great Work.

 

[lamper]

Jojo: are you gonna sell the finished bad boys?

 

[jojo]

I'm with Chris the Cat. The small one would be very welcome in my pocket. Are you considering making to order or a small production and offer. They look to be worth odering even with any hassles of sending to the US. Great Work.

Jojo: are you gonna sell the finished bad boys?

I'll be happy to make you one, gentlemen Shall we move to PMs?

 

[Big Mark]

Great stuff. Love the filework...