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The Folding Knife (& Switchblade) Forum The materials, techniques and the designing of folding knives.

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  #1  
Old 02-11-2017, 01:06 PM
belfastrab belfastrab is offline
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Folder Templates / Tutorials

Hi All

I have been looking around the internet for a decent template for a folding knife but can't seem to find anything suitable at all. There is one guy that makes a wooden version of a folder and supplies a free PDF but how it goes together is as a clear as mud.

So if anyone knows of somewhere I can find a template or two for a simple folder I would be really thankful... I also don't mind paying for them they don't necessarily need to be free. Ideally a detailed step by step guide would be superb.

I have made plenty of full tangs and enjoy making knives but the geometry of a folding knife and the various little parts is what is putting me off just having a go and for my first folder I would much prefer a print and stick template which I can then learn from that as I don't really learn very well from videos or written instruction but once I see something in my hand it makes much more sense to me.

I had considered taking apart a existing knife but then realized the only folders I have is SAK, an automatic (spring assist) and Leatherman so none really would be for the beginner to try and replicate.

Anyway any help with this would be great.

Many Thanks

Rab
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  #2  
Old 02-11-2017, 06:57 PM
damon damon is offline
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go buy a cheap one..... take it apart.... use parts as template.

this still will require a bit of thinking, observing, and making adjustments on your part.

slipjoint folders are easy enough to start with.

some might say liner locks are easier.

a friction folder is about as simple as they get.

which knife kit were you having trouble figuring out?
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  #3  
Old 02-11-2017, 07:28 PM
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ATalley ATalley is offline
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http://www.knifekits.com/vcom/index.php?cPath=1



knife kits has both wood kits for kids, and fully functioning kits available, not too sure about the detailed instruction part - but they are super nice and informative if you call them with questions!

good luck sir!


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Last edited by ATalley; 02-11-2017 at 07:43 PM.
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  #4  
Old 02-12-2017, 11:11 AM
belfastrab belfastrab is offline
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Thanks for the replies.

No I haven't tried a kit I was wanting to make it entirely myself the same way I have been doing with the full tang knives I have made.. so there isn't a kit I am having trouble with just looking a template that I can print and glue onto some plywood and cut on the bandsaw to make a template that I can use and keep for future knives then use the ply template to draw the outline onto some flat ground steel stock.. cut out, grind, bevel, heat, temper, finish etc.

But now that you have mentioned kits which had never crossed my mind before I might just try one and use that as my learning base to get the awkward bits of a folder worked out and then just scale the sizes up and down as required.

Thanks

Rab
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  #5  
Old 02-12-2017, 01:04 PM
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Don Robinson Don Robinson is offline
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Thumbs up Folder designs

These are all proven designs and can be copied at any scale you wish, large or small.

All details are included and you can cut out the parts and then glue them to your material.

I have the following sets of designs available:

1. Framelock folder

2. Texas Toothpick slipjoint

3.Slipjoint Whittler

4.Trapper 2-blade slipjoint

5.Small Barlow Linerlock

6.Flipper folder

7. Button Release folder

These are full scale prints. You can copy them at larger or smaller scales to suit yourself.

$10.00 each set plus $5.00 for shipping USPS Priority mail. Shipping covers one or all.

I'll help you via email.

Please pay my Paypal account.

I need your mailing address.

Last edited by Don Robinson; 02-12-2017 at 01:06 PM.
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  #6  
Old 02-16-2017, 04:56 AM
belfastrab belfastrab is offline
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Hi Don

Thanks for your reply and sorry for the delay in getting back to you.

Ok which knife template / plans would you suggest for someone building their first folder? I would love to try the two blade design but think I might be biting off more than what I can chew and should probably start with a single blade design first.

So as I say please suggest the easiest design to start with and we can get the ball rolling.

Many Thanks

Rab
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  #7  
Old 02-16-2017, 08:17 AM
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Don Robinson Don Robinson is offline
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I guess I'd say the slipjoint whittler.
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  #8  
Old 02-19-2017, 01:51 PM
dtec1 dtec1 is offline
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Just to let ya know I recently started making folders. got the regular liner locks down ok now I have moved to bearing flippers wich I am still having trouble with. BUT ray rogers has a regular liner lock tutorial on his web site and its FREE. it very detailed. I wouldn't of had been able to figure them out so quickly without it check it out www.rayrogers.com scroll down click liner lock tutorial
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  #9  
Old 02-20-2017, 11:16 PM
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TexasJack TexasJack is offline
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By the way, Rab, Don is one of the VERY best at making folders. I went to a large knife show and the only table that made other knifemakers come by and stare was Don's table.

Don, my best to you, amigo! Stan Buzek and I were just talking about you the other day - all good things!!


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  #10  
Old 02-21-2017, 09:01 AM
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Don Robinson Don Robinson is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TexasJack View Post
By the way, Rab, Don is one of the VERY best at making folders. I went to a large knife show and the only table that made other knifemakers come by and stare was Don's table.

Don, my best to you, amigo! Stan Buzek and I were just talking about you the other day - all good things!!
Well, keep talking, my old friends. Maybe it'll make me last a little longer. Wish we could get together, but I can't travel out of town in a car.
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  #11  
Old 02-23-2017, 11:01 AM
RantNRave RantNRave is offline
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Just to add to the conversation, Don also has books on this subject. I've purchased one myself and he takes you through the process step by step. He has a link in his sig.
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  #12  
Old 02-27-2017, 11:39 AM
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Trenton Entwistle Trenton Entwistle is offline
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You can't go wrong with Don's plans or books. I've used both and had a great time with it.

I also used the tutorial linked to for Ray Rogers website. It's a great method for learning to design your own folding knife patterns.

Trenton


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  #13  
Old 03-01-2017, 02:49 PM
belfastrab belfastrab is offline
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Hey Don

Just letting you know the plans arrived safe and sound today.

Haven't really had time to look at them much but already like the half stop element of the design which even if I was making folders for the next 20 years would probably never have occurred to me.

Hopefully I can get a start this weekend on the build... although will need to convert all the measurements to metric first.

If I run into any trouble which I probably will I will give you a shout.

Thanks

Rab
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  #14  
Old 03-01-2017, 09:10 PM
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Don Robinson Don Robinson is offline
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Glad you received the design. Now I'll work with you if you can use my help.

Have lots of fun with the metrics. Email me when I can help.
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  #15  
Old 02-28-2017, 10:14 AM
tmerkl tmerkl is offline
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I can second the "Slip Joints My Way" book by Don. Here's a pretty great tutorial, http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ip...project-knife/. Also check out the one posted by Steve Culver at culverart.com. I've made several of my own templates using free software called inkscape. It allows you to rotate the blade around a specified point to see if everything fits. I posted one of them here for peer review. I'm happy to say I used it to successfully make two functioning slippies.
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