Friction folder?

[MetalMuncher]

Hello all. I have been wanting to make a folding knife and have come up with a small one. Nothing fancy, just slabs of iron, the blade and rivets. When I peened the main rivet(the one the blade rotates on) I peened it a little too hard. And it actually came out prety cool, because there was some friction. Now, are there any other methods that work by friction? Is there a better way? Sorry there are no pics, my camera broke. Thanks dudes!!

P.S- Any pictures or illustrations would be awsome!!

[LDW]

This is one I made after MS Terry Vandeventer did a demo. I think the hardest part of this is cutting the slot in the antler and getting it straight. This one has a brass pin and some little copper washers under the pin where it is peened.

[MetalMuncher]

Whoa dude, nice work. So it works by friction? Once again, nice work. Damascus is it?

[LDW]

This is indeed called a friction folder if you do a search you will find a lot of different styles of them. This one was made from cable. The original "pocket knife". I have only made three or four of these. Thanks for the kind words.

[ThomasPowers]

I have one I made based on a find from late 12th century England as shown in "Knives and Scabbards, Museum of London" and I've seen Roman era ones in the museum in Solingen Germany. *old* style indeed!

[MetalMuncher]

Thanks guys. That cable looks good.

[tophand]

It helps to have shim stock. I use shim stock wedged in between the blade and handle, usually bone which moves a little with humidity. When done hammering, remove the shim and that is the space you have. Shim size is dependent on material used. When I use bone, I like the joint tight because the handle will most likely shrink or swell. I have to agree with LDW on getting the slot straight. I hope I provided some insight.

Here is a pic of my first folder: a Shepherds Cross.

[ThomasPowers]

For the one I was doing "old style" I made a 1 tooth draw knife using a masonry nail sharpened to a chisel edge mounted into a cross bar of wood and cut the slot with that---tedious but it works.

[bg7m]

This is one I made after MS Terry Vandeventer did a demo. I think the hardest part of this is cutting the slot in the antler and getting it straight. This one has a brass pin and some little copper washers under the pin where it is peened.

Very good looking folder!! More pics please,,,

[LDW]

I found this pic,

[bg7m]

Thanks for the extra pic, beautiful workmanship,