Friction Folders

[Black Hand]

I know that friction folders date back quite a ways. My question is with blades having the extension that comes to rest on the top of the handle as a stop. I've done some looking, but I am unable to date this feature. Any suggestions?

Help is appreciated,
Albert

 

[LRB]

French "penny" type knives are friction folders, and that's how they normally made a blade stop. The stop was a forged small "thumb" plate on the top of the tang. Much would depend on you're wants. This is how I do mine, when I make one. You can also add a pin through the grip that makes a stop. Look close at mine, and you'll see a cut out for the looped rear tang. I prefer something like I make in the photo, because the longer tang gives a safety measure when working with it. This knife in the photo is my deer dresser. It is seldom used for anything else, and stays in a pocket in my shot bag. I'll try to find a pic of a French folder.

 

[LRB]

Sorry Black Hand. I can't find a good pic for you, but just picture a small forged tab on the top of a maybe 1/2" tang, looking like a lollypop from a top view. These would at least be 17th c. Probably earlier, and are still available in France. I just remembered something. Go here.
http://jean-luc.soubeyras.pagesperso-orange.fr/coureurs.htm

 

[BillinOregon]

Wick: The things you can do to a piece of steel simply stun me.
Thanks for that link, too. The knives at the top look like they would make fabulous skinners.

 

[Black Hand]

Thanks Wick!

 

[Macon Due]

Wick
Sending you a PM in reference to this knife.
Thanks.......Macon

 

[Andrew smith]

Wick, that is a pretty sweet looking knife there. How do you cut the slot for the blade?

 

[Nifeman]

Wick, that is a sweet knife...Bud :thumbsup:

 

[lonehunter]

If he ever lay's it down, And turns his back,
Its mine! :wink:

 

[LRB]

The slot is a problem for me. I used to cut them freehand with an abrasive saw blade mounted in a bench grinder. I would screw up about one out of three, so I stopped making them when the India stag got scarce and expensive. I prefer them to be the India stag because most of it has a solid, to near solid core. So does some of our whitetail, but the color and texture is a bit drab. I have an idea for a wood jig to hold them while cutting, but have not found time to try it yet.