sebenza of the slipjoint world

[David Morgan]

By the way, what are these Sebenza's everyone keeps going on about? (I'm just an ignoramus who heats metal up and hits it untill it's the right shape.)

[Chux]

Heresy!

Look and learn. Not that they're much to look at.

[The General]

Neither is a Katana till its finished...

[David Morgan]

Hmmm.... they look okay I guess. Although I'm not sure if you can really call something a blade unless it's been beaten into shape by a large man with a beard.

[Chux]

What about a small man with a beard? I hear they make great Mithril shirts among other things :p

[mloc]

i have a lot of slipjoints but the one's i keep going back to are my sak electrician model or my converted crkt mo'skeeter. i dont like using slipjoints everyday because they usualy bite back

[Chux]

I have the same mistrust of slipjoints (got bitten recently). However my Camillus Stockman has one of the sturdiest backsprings I have yet encountered (SWMBO can't close it). Inspires confidence at least.

[David Morgan]

What about a small man with a beard? I hear they make great Mithril shirts among other things :p

Are you suggesting that dwarves are small? Don't make me quote the Dungeons & Dragons Player's Manual at you!

[David Morgan]

BTW, I should probably condense my previous posts now that eveything seems to be working; yes, I do my own heat-treating. I've been useing relatively simple steels, no stainless or exotics. The equipment I've been useing for the folders is the same as for the forged fixed blades, except for the pillar drill, which seems pretty much essential for folders. I've been useing a combined belt/disc grinder for speed and convenience, but files will do fine. My construction is based on a tutorial that's out there somewhere, but I'm doing it from memory. I think there's a link from Don Fogg's forum, I'll have a look for it as soon as we have access again.

[David Morgan]

www.chriscrawfordknives.com. Look under tutorials. As far as I can tell I've simplified the process greatly (using solid slabs rather that bolsters/liners/slabs to start with) but most of the basic steps are the same. The major differance is that instead of making the blade and spring to match, I've made the spring, affixed it to one slab, complete with pivot pin, and I'll now make the blade to be a tight fit with the spring. Then the second slab will be then be affixed and the shape refined.

[Basemetal]

Thanks for that Dave...I'll certainly check out the links. I like simple steels too -especially ones that show signs of use and develop a patina with time and care.


I gave up last night before the board service sorted itself...

[fluffy]

i have a lot of slipjoints but the one's i keep going back to are my sak electrician model or my converted crkt mo'skeeter. i dont like using slipjoints everyday because they usualy bite back

RAVE FROM THE GRAVE THREAD

I was nibbled by a lovely two bladed slippy I got from Schlaegel this weekend.
Described as a "Custom 2-blade-slipjoint-gentleman-folder made by A.M. Mayhall" it nearly tore my nails off trying to open it and I banged the side of my hand on the smaller blade while doing some cleaning with the knife open. It has been officially blooded.
Can you slacken off a ferocious backspring or is it a case of sending it off to the more manually adept knifemakers here?

[daveathall@btin]

Hand exercises may help, nails? get em bitten ya southern softie.

[fluffy]

Ok, nail stubs then.
Wouldn't try my falsies out on this monster

[daveathall@btin]

That looks stunning mate, have you got any more pics that will give some indication of size, looks a cracker though, have to admit I dont bite my nails anymore, it pulls me false teeth out.