Posted: 6/28/2017 12:47:03 AM EDT
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I started making folding knives and so far am enjoying the challenge. Folding knives are pretty hard to make look good compared to full tang knives. Lockback knives are pretty tough depending on the lock mechanism. Thought I'd try a butterfly knife (balisong).
Blade is 1080 steel in a tanto style. I purposely leave it rough looking like i do all my blades. The edge is a little over 3" with a 1/2" tip, and is 3/4" wide and a tad under 1/8" thick. 
I made micarta scales out of construction paper and fiberglass resin. I alternated black, blue, cyan, and white. The scales are a hair over 1/8", and this will be important later. I glued 1/16" nickel silver and drilled holes. They are 5/8" wide starting out and 4&5/8" long. 
I will use the >1/8" piece of micarta drop offs to space the end of the handles. This will allow the blade to easily slide into them. 
I'll use some drop off pieces of the nickel silver and cut a 1/16" slot in the nickel silver about 1/16" from the edge. This will keep the blade from coming out when closed. Putting them close to the pivot will prevent the edge from dulling over time since up close to the pivot the edge never gets really sharp. 
I put all 4 handles together with pins and hand sanded them together (and a little individually) until they fit perfect open and closed. Have to keep track which handle goes where! I'll have to taper the handles close to the pivot, and round it off, but I'll do that later. 
Hope to finish it off tomorrow afternoon |
Here's a youtube video on making a balisong from a wrench. I think he does a pretty good job. 
How to Make a Balisong / Butterfly knife from a Wrench (NO FORGE METHOD) |
I cut the slot in the handles and cut the piece that stops the blade from coming out of the handles when closed.
Cutting the slot with a dremel is tricky stuff, but it fits perfect and does indeed keep the blade from coming out when closed. 
Next step is to glue the blade stopper pieces and the spacers, and peen the pins. Then just final sanding of the handles and sharpening the blade. I can't peen the pins yet since my wife went to bed early and she said she would literally come out shooting if i made any noise 
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Got the pins peened. This is the last time i peen, it is pivot pins from here on out. I always bend the pins slightly when peening and as you can see the handles aren't exactly parallel to the blade, but it isn't bad enough to scrap.
Flips open and closed very smoothly. It desperately needs final sanding. |
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Quoted:
Nice. Though my preference is for longer and more slender looking. Less chodish  The part of the blade with the holes should be about half the length it is now. That would add a half inch to the blade. I would also make the blade about 5/8" wide instead of 3/4". Those two things would make it look much more proportionate. |
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Quoted:
Keep at it OP , folders get easier the more you do. 
http://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/78788/DSC07618-medium-238869.jpg 
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Quoted:
Wait a second, CCL applies to knives?!?!   Check your state laws. I cannot pass my balisong off to my dad and have him stick it in his pocket legally, but I can carry it all day long. He does not have a carry permit. |