Then a spring will be cut out of the frame and brought under tension.
The tension of the spring is very important, if it is too strong the knife will not close to satisfaction. If the tension is too weak, then the movement will be disturbed. The right tension is all a matter of experience and feeling.
The rings on both sides of the ash of the folders are specially made for me, and measure 0,10 millimeter. The Bolsters and grip are attached with 1,6 mm screws, so that the knife can be at all times assembled and disassembled. The inside of the titanium liners are anodized; by use of different voltage the color will change from purple to light blue.
Looking for special materials is also a very important part of the process. Special materials are expensive and rare. You have to be careful that the material will not split when you are drilling or polishing. A misstep costs a lot of money!
Recently I added myself to Liner-Lock Folders. Just like the Lock-Back Folders I had the ambition for the highest degree of perfection.
These new style Liner-Locks are completely handmade, with blue anodized ‘hand-carved’ titanium.
-please see my blog for a closer look in my workplace.
It all begins with a good design on the drawing table. When I’m satisfied with the results I’m ready to start.
~ technique ~
It starts simple, with 2 blades of titanium 6A14V to be exact. With the help of a wooden mould I saw the frame. Working screws are used during the construction of the knife. In a later stage these screws will be replaced for beautiful gold plated titanium screws. These follow the heart-line of the knife. The screw holes in the liners have to be made with new twist drills. If the drills are not sharp enough, the titanium will harden! A new chamber will be made on the inside of the bolster, so that the head- screw will become invisible.
