Recent content by RandyR

Keith, I put threaded studs in the top and bottom bars and then threaded the anvils before I heat treated them. I just bought a piece of 1 inch round A2 to make them from. I have tried various shapes and find that a very slight concave surface slightly larger in diameter than the pin works best...

I made one after seeing the approach Boss took. It has replaceable anvils, guide rods and springs to help release pressure when needed. It works very well on bolsters as long as I do my part. Randy

Just for information, I have had the process work well on CPM 154 and ATS 34. It can definitely take several cycles and you will waste your time if you don't get back to your original tempering temperature. Randy

I am in the process of designing my first flipper style folder. I have built lockbacks and a couple of liner locks so I do have some (limited) experience in building folders. However, I would like to use thrust bearings such as those sold by Tracy and and AKS. I believe I understand basically...

James, I have a lot of it so it would be no problem to send a piece to you. The stock is about .220 thick rough and I have been taking it down to about 3/16 before grinding. It is 1 1/2 inches wide. Just PM me with how long a piece you want and where to send it. Randy

All, When Tracy asked to see if I had some with heat treat stamps I went out and removed the last three bars from the shipping container. What I found was two bars clearly marked 154CM and the other had no markings. However, they all have the same color code on the end. The two inch bars I have...

Tracy, I did not get it from you and I am reluctant to say on the web where it did come from. If it helps, I bought it about 1 1/2 years ago. I have also had generally good experiences with it but this last batch is definitely a problem. I wish I did not have so much of it. Everything I can...

Rob, It is possible I did mix up knives from different bars and the one that looks good came from another piece. I am very careful not to mix up steel types but I could certainly have mixed up pieces from different bars of the same type. I made batch of about 12 blades with most from one bar...

All, I could use some insight from those that have used CPM 154. I have made a few blades from it and most were finished with a 400 to 600 grit satin with a couple to 1200. Today, I was attempting to bring a blade up to 1200. When I hit 600, I began to see a strange looking texture on the...

Delbert, Depending upon how the knife was loaded, the handle material and how it is attached could certainly be a factor. It the case brought up above, the point of the knife would be imbedded in something and then loaded with someone standing on it. In that case, as I indicated above, the...

It seems I almost started up the bend test discussion again and that was not my intent. I do have strong beliefs based upon my technical background but I honor everyones right to have their own and disagree with me. I agree with Ed about carefully considering making something for someone who...

Ed, I believe there is a bit of a misconception here with respect to the strength of a tapered blade versus a straight one. I say this with all due respect to your incredible talents and skill as a knifemaker, far exceeding mine without question. I was a practicing mechanical engineer for 30...

Thanks Dwane. I do believe straps have their use and sometimes design or need makes then very appropriate. However, they have given me trouble over the years. I am sure how they are put in has a lot to do with it and many guys are very good at designing them so they work well.. Randy

Guys, I probably did not do a very good job describing how it actually works. The locking area of the welt is not sewn down and actually moves away from the blade as the knife goes in and out. Just slight finger pressure on the extended tab moves it so the blade does not contact it. Certainly...

Unfortuntely, I have not seen any of the other versions. I have seen designs where people basically build a "bump" in the welt intended to lock over the guard, mostly in pouch style sheaths. They had a fixed welt and in a short amount of time they no longer engaged. In fact, wet forming would...