Primitive Folder (Sheath done)

[Lin Rhea]

I have been seeing this style knife on other medias and wanted to try it. It is a primitive or friction style folder. As simple as possible with few parts and made entirely of steel and iron forged and filed.

Here is the handle piece that I sawed out roughly but had to file and forge a little. Also the forged blade.
     

[Lin Rhea]

I don't have many progress photos since this was entirely a new process to me. I was occupied with the mechanics and things like that, not that there were many but any more than two moving parts gets me confused.   :eek:  

I felt like I had to shape the handle and make the blade fit it instead of the other way around. I cut out paper doll patterns of the blade and handle and made it get reasonably close to operating right. Everything needs to be slightly over sized so adjustment is allowed for.

Then I folded the handle, which was harder than it would seem. Then used the patterns to locate the pivot hole and to determine exact blade lines so the tip, the blade stop, and the blade swing is all accounted for.

The front two wings that are holding the blade felt to me like they need some extra strength so I used some washers disguised as blossoms. I thought this would distribute some support to a bigger area to benefit the over all strength of the knife.

Most of the critical point were dialed in before heat treating the blade. Then after the blade was done, it was time to put it together and apart about a hundred times in order to make the adjustments.

Remember, it is primitive.

   

   

   

[gudspelr]

Jeremy

[bjansen]

Looks great!

[Track]

Great looking knife. And you never see a folder with a blade like this one. Outstanding.

[halfseminole]

That's one my messed up hands could open!  I love it, you gonna try any more?

[arrowflipper]

Lin that little folder is gorgeous,i like it.  

[D.Ellis]

That's as cool as heck Lin    
Moving parts are always a challenge.......and fewer parts sometimes just makes for less chance to make up the difference with an extra piece.........don't ask me how I know   :D  
Darcy

[4est trekker]

Yes sir!     That's a beauty, Lin! My list of "have someday" just got a little longer. Thanks for sharing the process.

[tippit]

Lin,
I really, really like that little folder  

[Kevin Evans]

That is cool as hec Lin!!
I will make you grin,can't wait to see one in Damascus  

[Lin Rhea]

Thanks everyone.    

[Ray Hammond]

               

[KSCATTRAPR]

Just simply awesome.

[jpsowers]

Lin, this such a great piece. Thanks for making it and showing it to us.

[hickstick]

beauty Lin...did you add a spacer at the back end of the handle, or just rivets?

[Lin Rhea]

Thanks guys.

Hickstick, I added a spacer. The blade tip is so close to the end that you could cut yourself without it.

[Lin Rhea]

Here this knife is with the sheath.