A day with Gary Crowder

[akaboomer]

Its no secret that I love traditional folding knives. So when I met Gary Crowder at Jerry Fisk's shop visit I was sure to pick his brain on the construction of a slip joint folder. We had talked just a few minutes when Gary handed  me his card and invited me to his shop to see how he does it. I made arrangements to be there Saturday.
Gary had cut one out and got it to the point of being heat treated so we could focus on the construction. We started at about 8:15 by cutting out the same pattern as the one Gary had started the day before.
 
Then rough grind every part to shape.
 
Time to drill some holes using the pattern.
 
I was so focused on learning that I forgot to document some of the steps. but next the bolsters were spot welded on to the liner.

I am breaking this up in sections because I had it all done up twice and hit the post new topic button and it was gone  

[akaboomer]

After the bolsters were welded and everything flattened again the holes were drilled in the bolsters using the holes that had been drilled in the liners. Then Gary put the liner/bolster assembly on the mill and relieved the area around the pivot pin .005 to minimize the chances of tang scratches. In between all the steps the pieces were re-flattened on a granite block.
the two liner assemblies are put together with temporary pins and profiled.
 
Time to start getting the blade and spring fit up. Here is where we switched to the pieces Gary had heat treated. The pieces are assembled and disassembled many times to get fit up close. Time to grind the bevels. This was done  after marking center lines and while the pieces were assembled.
 

[akaboomer]

Gary picked out some handle material and shaped it to fit liner/bolster assemblies.
 
The pieces were cleaned rechecked then glued and clamped. While the glue was drying Gary and I went to a BBQ joint that had some of the best ribs I have ever had. After lunch it was time to profile the scales.
 
The blade got a hand rubbed finish to 600 grit. The scales get pinned to the liners and re-flattened and the parts are assembled again. The bolster to scale transitions get cleaned up and blended.
 
The knife is sure moving along. It gets disassembled and all the parts get a good once over. Time to pin it all up and sharpen, again so focused on learning I forgot to take pics. After pining everything behind the blade gets a 400grit belt finish and its time to get Gary's mark.
 

[akaboomer]

When the knife was done at 1:00Pm Gary handed it to me and said there is your knife. I cant say enough for Gary's kindness, hospitality and generosity. Gary is a true craftsman with a love for knives like we all have.
 
 
 
Just wanted to share my Saturday with you fellows. Hope you enjoy

Chris

[kbaknife]

That is a very, very beautiful knife.
I'm often amazed at how so many of us are willing to give away what we have learned and "ask" little, to nothing, in return.
Know why? Because we've all been given so much, already, for free.
It's our way of giving back.
That report you just gave was fantastic.
Now I hope you start posting up some of your new slipjoints from your shop!!

[4est trekker]

Great story, great guy, and great knife!  

[Lin Rhea]

This was most enjoyable. As with a lot of things, when you break the process down to basic steps, it is not so complicated or intimidating.

As Karl said, I look forward to seeing some folders from your shop.

[Kevin Evans]

That is very cool .
Look forward to seeing your slip joints.

[akaboomer]

Thanks gentlemen.  I have been on the receiving end of that help and generosity by many on this forum and in other places also. I do hope to be able to repay each act of kindness at some point. I offer my help to those I can help but what I know was possible by the help I have received from others.  Lin has tought me and helped me more than I can say. Karl has been helpful in the questions I have thrown his way. Kevin has gone above and beyond to help me, a guy he has only met on line and in phone conversations. That help has been much appreciated.  Kevin, I will call you in the next day or two.

Thanks
Chris

[allen newberry]

I have been wanting to get over to Gary Crowder's shop for for a long time.  Thanks for posting up your visits for us.