Trio of friction folders - in progress

This forum thing is getting to be a habit! Everytime I get excited about something in the workshop, it ends up on here. Sorry in advance

I thought I would try to get ahead of the curve for Father's Day, especially now that my Mother's Day gift is complete), so I am working on a trio of friction folders, one for myself, one for my father, and one for my grandfather. All will be as close to identical in shape, though I am still on the fence for what to do about scales.... Another first for me, I haven't tried to make 3 at once before.

The design comes from Tim Troyer, Sugercreek Forge. I found his youtube channel and a link to his design for this knife. For those that want to know, my camp knife that was just completed is inspired from this folder design.

I am using 1/8" 1080 and will be heat treating with a two brick setup. When I ordered the 1080, I also bought some 60 and 120 grit Blaze belts, and for the first time tonight, I tried grinding steel. Wow, does it ever work fast! I cannot believe how quickly I was able to profile on these little blades. It scares me to think about beveling on it. I could screw up so fast.

Anyhow, I only profiled the tip tonight as i need to do some work on the stop pin and pivot, deciding what size to use, etc... but here are some quick photos of what I got done tonight.


any tips on beveling with the grinder would be much appreciated, though out of sheer ignorance, and given that these are to be gifts, I may file the bevels using my file and bevel jig.

Happy Grinding,

Matt

 

Looking Awesome great work!!! As far as bevelling I know it's too late now but next time could you bevel them on the stock before cutting the blade? I've done this on smaller blades and found it much easier with a lot to hold on to. I can't wait to see those finished

 

I agree with Steve. You really haven't got much to hang on to. I also use colored tape on both sides of the blade at my plunge line near the ricasso. It lets me know where to start and stop.

 

Thanks everyone. You all have me convinced to give it a try. Beveling with the stock on sounds like such a good idea, I'll keep it in mind for next time. I learn something new everyday.

I'll also tape up the plunge line as you suggested Foster.

I have been back and forth on pivots and stop pins, etc... which is what has been holding me up, but I think I have it all decided, and I should be able to continue on now. I'll post up more pics when I have them.

Matt

 

Looks like you're havin' fun Matt. If you have to drill a hole in the blade, maybe do that so you can use that hole to screw into something to hang on to.

A thing that I learned recently about ceramic belts is that they benefit from being worked hard. This breaks up the abrasive and exposes new sharp edges. I thought my first blaze was done until I jammed a bar of 416 into it and it came back to life.

Good luck. Post more pics.

Dan

 

I like your style Matt !! , folders right outa the gate !!

 

Hey guys, here is another quick update. Thanks again for the words of support and encouragement.

I took Dan's advice and made a jig with a chunk of 2x6 and some small nails to support the knife while i held it at the end.

Rob - It's pretty optimistic, I know, but hey, if I don't try, I can't find out if I can do it.
Foster - I modified your idea a little and scribed a line perpendicular to the centerline so I knew where to start.

It actually wasn't that difficult, and I don't think I made too many errors( though it's still early I know).

I still have to drill pivot and stop pin holes, but I was too excited about the bevel and got ahead of myself. It's all good, it will be ok.
here they are.




Next is the pivot and stop pin holes and working on the folding geometry....

 

Grinds are looking good. Thanks for posting the update. Looking forward to the finished products.

 

another update folks,

Today was a productive day, and I got the scales drilled and cut out. Unfortunately I don't have photos of them, but they are burlap laminate in the style of youtube and Dan's site. Fiberglass resin and a press. they turned out pretty good I hope, and i think they will turn out.

I also got the blades fitted to the scales, ground out and heat treated with my two brick/propane torch system.

Here are a few photos of the blades. There are only two because the phenolic I made yielded enough for 2 sets of scales, not three. The third will come another day this week.

I know that the grinds on the pivot hole aren't perfect, and they bug my a little, but it was the best i could do this time around. And it'll be hidden by the scales...




More to come as I finish the third blade and finish all the scales

-Matt

 

Nice to see they are taking shape well. I think the pivot holes look pretty darn good for filework.

 

Hey Guys,
I'm getting closer, and with Fathers day approaching, I need to get on things. I have one of the three the closest, so I thought I would give you guys some photos. I still need to clean things up and sharpen, but here it is.




I've got some stubborn epoxy around some of the pins that is giving me grief.... past that, they are coming together.
Cheers

 

Looking good Matt. Is that DIY Micarta? That's one handmade gift.

Dan

 

Thanks guys, it is diy micarta with loose woven jute. I followed your tutorial Dan. It works ok, but it doesn't finish as well as the professional stuff. I'll keep you in the loop as more work gets done