help and advice please

K

KenH

Well-Known Member
Hello all - An idea I've been tossing around in my head and wish to ask if this is a good idea or no. For my next slip joint (for me!! - I'm NOT selling or giving this one away) I've been thinking of using a piece of Alabama Damascus I've got for the blade along with my usual 410 SS for liner. Does the backspring need to be Damascus also? OR - would some SS work ok? I normally use Sandvik 14C28N for both blade and backspring.

Comment also on taking it a bit more, say use .040" 410 SS for the liner with .025" copper sheet as a spacer between the liner and Damascus bolsters. How would you attach the bolster to copper to liner - low temperature silver solder? With the Damascus bolster would the backspring really "need" to be Damascus also? OR - would SS look ok since the liner would be SS?

I'm just tossing out ideas here, not sure how soldering the long thin copper between the bolster and liner would work - any tricks for that to prevent warping?

Thanks to all for any suggestions on how to make this all work..... OR - comments it's not a good idea.

Ken H>
 
You can use either for the springs, I have used both. If you use damascus you will need to figure out the spring temper temps. I have never used Alabama damascus but on my damascus made from 1084/15N20 I use 720.

I have never used copper like you are wanting to so I can't help you there. You may want to try soldering some scrap to see how it works out.
 
Ken,
A folder with Damascus blade and spring looks very nice,Don Hansons knives come to mind. But like Craig said,you will have to experiment with the Damascus to find the proper tempering temperature for a spring temper. I think the copper liners would look nice if you can pull it off. Keep us posted. :)
 
Thanks Craig 'n Calvin - I've been trying to see in my mind's eye if a SS backspring would look ok with the Damascus blade. If so, that's what I'd use because I feel so much more comfortable with SS. I think the copper would look good also, I"m just not sure about soldering the strip of copper on the liner between the two bolsters. Of course it would be a single piece of copper from end to send, but getting it to lay flat against the liner while soldering might be a trick and was hoping someone would comment with "Hey, I've done that and here's how" :)

I feel fairly comfortable on the Damascus bolster with copper spacer between liner 'n bolster, but that long strip between bolsters I'm not so sure about.

Thanks for the comments - helps give me food for thought.

Ken H>
 
KenH said:
Thanks Craig 'n Calvin - I've been trying to see in my mind's eye if a SS backspring would look ok with the Damascus blade. If so, that's what I'd use because I feel so much more comfortable with SS. I think the copper would look good also, I"m just not sure about soldering the strip of copper on the liner between the two bolsters. Of course it would be a single piece of copper from end to send, but getting it to lay flat against the liner while soldering might be a trick and was hoping someone would comment with "Hey, I've done that and here's how" :)

I feel fairly comfortable on the Damascus bolster with copper spacer between liner 'n bolster, but that long strip between bolsters I'm not so sure about.

Thanks for the comments - helps give me food for thought.

Ken H>
Click to expand...

Ken,
Ive used stainless steel springs on all the Damascus bladed folders I make.
 
Thanks Calvin - if you're using SS springs with Damascus blades, then that is the route I'll go. I'm MUCH more familiar with SS than Damascus.

Ken H>
 
Ken, here is a couple of photos to see the difference.

One with stainless springs.

W6_zps6eca7be1.jpg


One with damascus springs.

DG6_zps91df54f8.jpg
 
That Damascus backspring between the filework really stands out and looks GREAT!! I like that. How thick is your liner before the file work?

"IF" (and that might be a big "IF") I decide to use Damascus for the bolster, how is the pivot pin handled for a slipjoint? For linerlocks a screw is used, but slipjoints I've always worked VERY hard to make sure the pivot pin disappears with polishing. What about a SS pin as normal for a slippie, then use a tiny round tipped punch to make a dimpled surface on the pin? Ideas and guidance please.

Ken H>
 
Liners are between .040 and .050. You can dome the pin on damascus bolsters or peen like any other bolster. Different metals will give a different look to the pin in contrast with the bolster. A domed gold pin looks nice in a damascus bolster. I have not tried that yet but will when I make a set of damascus handles some time soon.
 
Craig - you're talking about the pivot pin? I guess a low alloy of gold is used for the pivot pin? Is it hard enough for the pivot pin? Would something like 10 carat be hard enough for the pivot pin? AND - where to get a small amount of 3/32" (or 1/8") gold pin stock?

Thanks for all the input - you're sure helping me with ideas.

Ken H.
 
You will not find 3/32 and 1/8 unless you draw it yourself. It is sold in gage sizes and you will need to change your hole size to match. You can use a pivot bushing to keep from wearing the pin. The little I have used a friend from a jewelry store ordered for me. Rio Grand has a little but not the size I want in rose gold.
 
Craig - thanks for the info and the PM. Looking at the price of gold in the size needed for a pivot pin (12 ga?) I'm thinking I might hold off on the gold..... maybe a brass pin would look good with the Damascus..... OR - from looking at your Damascus backspring with the file worked SS, maybe I'll go with something like that. That does look good!

Thanks again for all the info and ideas.

Ken H>
 
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