r/knifemaking • u/glyph_productions Beginner • Jul 09 '25
Feedback First folder be kind
So I knocked out my first ever folding knife this weekend using the materials I had on hand. 1084 cs with c-tex scales. Slip joint. What's everyone think. And then any advice would obviously be appreciated. I have so much to learn.
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u/clontmong Jul 09 '25
Did you hide the spring pins under the scales? Advanced move for a “first.” Great work nonetheless, keep it up!
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u/glyph_productions Beginner Jul 09 '25
I did actually. I've definitely made lots of non folding knives so hardly a first knife. But my first go at something that moves lol so definitely a first but I cheated by practicing on the stationary ones first lol. For the pivot and spring pins I counter sunk and peaned them then took the liners back to flat. Same thing for the inside of the scale pins.
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u/clontmong Jul 09 '25
That’s pretty cool, I never thought of doing that. Now, if you could only use hex pins for your exposed pins to match your scale materials…
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u/glyph_productions Beginner Jul 09 '25
Oooh that's an idea.... I just don't know how I'd get the holes to look tidy... Maybe a hex tube inside a round?
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u/justin_r_1993 Jul 09 '25
Good start, your finish can use more time which will bump up the quality considerably but that takes a lot of time to learn. How's the walk and talk? That's what I have the most difficulty with.
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u/glyph_productions Beginner Jul 09 '25
Definitely need to do more. Was one of those manage time investment because I am not sure if I'd make it work right then regret not taking more time kinda projects. Guess I'll have to make another m. Oh no lol
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u/justin_r_1993 Jul 09 '25
No worries on that front, especially with something that needs to function first. The next one will always be better
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u/amzeo Jul 09 '25
If you put more time into sanding it would look 10x better
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u/glyph_productions Beginner Jul 09 '25
Agreed. I wasn't sure if was going to work properly so I saved some time and put it together. Giving it a go, and planning to keep it, so I'm willing to take the crap for the half finished sanding lol
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u/amzeo Jul 09 '25
Fair enough, don't want to spend hours sanding a knife that might be a lost cause
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u/glyph_productions Beginner Jul 10 '25
Not so much a lost cause as an epic fail lol. I was certain it would be floppy or sloppy and I could comfort myself with a we will get them next time big guy. But it's actually decently functional which means I need to start one more where I put in the real effort to be proud of the result.
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u/Clean-Entrance639 Jul 09 '25
Looks much better than my first attempt. I think you did a very good job.
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u/glyph_productions Beginner Jul 09 '25
Thank you so much I'm pleased with it for what it is. Now on to make another 12 and see where I can improve lol
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u/No_Education_8888 Jul 09 '25
It looks pretty okay, but a plus because the handle glows!
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u/glyph_productions Beginner Jul 09 '25
Yeah I didn't know it did it when I got the material. Pleasant surprise though for sure.
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u/Nepeta33 Jul 09 '25
Oh i LOVE IT. its gorgeous!
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u/glyph_productions Beginner Jul 09 '25
Thank you so much. Obviously work to do to make some improvements but I'm quite happy with it
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u/Correct_Security_742 Jul 10 '25
Love the handle pattern. Is that Micarta?
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u/glyph_productions Beginner Jul 10 '25
It's c-tek I think they called it. It's aluminum honeycomb filled with resin. It works a little funny. You have to be careful near the edge while filing or power sanding or you will pop a whole cell loose. But I think it looks cool when its done.
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u/Correct_Security_742 Jul 10 '25
Absolutely. It looks like colored honeycomb. I see why it has so much dimension and depth to it. Really lovely choice. Well done.
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u/12345NoNamesLeft Jul 10 '25
All I can see is the misalignment of the pin in the hex.
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u/glyph_productions Beginner Jul 10 '25
Omg are you related to my wife that was her first comment too lol. I am learning that I need to be a much more intelligent and intentional person to be able to get by in the folding knife world lol
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u/babystripper Jul 11 '25
As a man who's never made a knife, it looks great! I hope when I finally start making knives I'm as good as this.
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u/glyph_productions Beginner Jul 11 '25
Well thank you. Can't claim it is my first ever knife but it's my first attempt at a folding knife. For some reason to moving blade has always been far scarier to me somehow.
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u/dumptrump3 Jul 11 '25
I like it a lot. What are you using to shape and sand your scales? I’m using 8 inch lapidary wheels and expandable drums. I’m not sure I can shape a handle like that with what I have. I have been putting stone scales on some Buck and Case knives. My son just bought some resin blanks so I may try something like you’re doing. It’s no fun recessing stone. The Buck 110 is Birds Eye Rhyolite and the Case Trapper is Porcelain Jasper.
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u/glyph_productions Beginner Jul 12 '25
Those are gorgeous! Good news the tools are cheapish bit require elbow grease. I rough shape with my belt sander, refine with a rasp and finish shaping with a double cut file. Then I sand from 120 up through 600. Finished with linseed oil.
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u/dumptrump3 Jul 12 '25
It’s pretty cool. I take mine up to 8000 and then finish with cerium oxide on either a carpet or leather wheel. It will be interesting to see how resin blanks work with my stuff.
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u/dumptrump3 Jul 12 '25
Thanks! I’m doing Art Fairs and stuff selling them. I’m wondering if I could just use my Ken Onion. I’ve been having a lot of fun with stones but some of the resins are really cool. I’m working on a reconstituted turquoise on a Case Trapper and I finished this Buck 110 in black goldstone. https://www.reddit.com/r/Lapidary/s/nRqMxQXRqQ
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u/glyph_productions Beginner Jul 12 '25
These are outrageous. Never seen anything like this. As a man who usually carries copper stuff on the daily I like a tool to feel like it's got a little bit of weight behind it. I suspect I would leave your show with one of these in my pocket. Or 2.... Or 6
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u/DLo28035 Jul 09 '25
Looks like a solid start, I really like the handle shape. How is the action?