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Folding knives have been around several thousand years with schools of origin being somewhat split between the ancient Romans or the Far East being the birthplace of the first folders. Regardless of where it was, it is generally agreed the first folders were of the friction type. This is a folding knife that uses no springs or locks, relying instead on a tight friction fit to keep it closed and an extended tang to help keep it open. Friction folders with blades of copper, bronze, iron, and other metal material have been found, scales were often wood or bone or other natural materials.
Today you can find both mass produced and custom friction folders and they have a small but loyal following. Without lock or spring to hold them open they demand proper knife usage or cut fingers will result. Use them properly and they will do any job a more modern design can accomplish. The most popular place for modern mass produced friction folders seem to be New Zealand, examples of these can be found and bought at places like http://www.svord.com .
Today I am looking at a custom from Morris Knives. When Michael starting making these I already owned several of his knives so I immediately ordered one knowing the quality would be top notch. At the time he offered it with deep burgundy micarta scales and Michael uses Nicholson files as his blade stock. He re-tempers the steel to 56-58rc after doing his shaping and hollow grind of the blade.
Most friction folder are 2 or 3 pin knives. The pivot pin is what the blade rotates on. The middle pin serves as a blade stop in both the open and closed positions. The third pin holds the scales together when a two scale design is used. I have seen single pin designs as well were the tang fits into a recess in the one piece handle when open. In use your thumb will rest on top of the tang helping to keep the blade locked open tho when proper cutting techniques are used the cutting pressure alone will do the job. Michael also adds a spur to the underside of the tang allowing it to be used to open your bottle of lager at the end of the day.
A view of the closed friction folder, here you can see the exposed tang as well as the spur to open bottles.
When open the tang rotates completely between the scales and rests against the middle pin.
As stated this middle pins acts as a stop with the tang in the open position and fits into the rounded out choil on the blade when closed.
As stated Michael makes these from a piece of Nicholson file, the cutting surface of the file can be seen on the sides and top of the blade. This surface is ground down far enough to make it almost smooth but leaving enough so there is no doubt of the blades origin.
These friction folders, either custom made or mass produced are a simple, no nonsense approach to the folder. In today;s world of high speed, low drag "tactical" knives it is nice to hold a simple design that dates back to the earliest days of knife making. I carry this knife several days out of the month in my EDC rotation and everyone who sees it comments on it's simple beauty. It is one of my favorite customs to carry. You can see this knife and Michael's other designs at http://www.michaelmorrisknives.com/ .
Today you can find both mass produced and custom friction folders and they have a small but loyal following. Without lock or spring to hold them open they demand proper knife usage or cut fingers will result. Use them properly and they will do any job a more modern design can accomplish. The most popular place for modern mass produced friction folders seem to be New Zealand, examples of these can be found and bought at places like http://www.svord.com .
Today I am looking at a custom from Morris Knives. When Michael starting making these I already owned several of his knives so I immediately ordered one knowing the quality would be top notch. At the time he offered it with deep burgundy micarta scales and Michael uses Nicholson files as his blade stock. He re-tempers the steel to 56-58rc after doing his shaping and hollow grind of the blade.
Most friction folder are 2 or 3 pin knives. The pivot pin is what the blade rotates on. The middle pin serves as a blade stop in both the open and closed positions. The third pin holds the scales together when a two scale design is used. I have seen single pin designs as well were the tang fits into a recess in the one piece handle when open. In use your thumb will rest on top of the tang helping to keep the blade locked open tho when proper cutting techniques are used the cutting pressure alone will do the job. Michael also adds a spur to the underside of the tang allowing it to be used to open your bottle of lager at the end of the day.
A view of the closed friction folder, here you can see the exposed tang as well as the spur to open bottles.
When open the tang rotates completely between the scales and rests against the middle pin.
As stated this middle pins acts as a stop with the tang in the open position and fits into the rounded out choil on the blade when closed.
As stated Michael makes these from a piece of Nicholson file, the cutting surface of the file can be seen on the sides and top of the blade. This surface is ground down far enough to make it almost smooth but leaving enough so there is no doubt of the blades origin.
These friction folders, either custom made or mass produced are a simple, no nonsense approach to the folder. In today;s world of high speed, low drag "tactical" knives it is nice to hold a simple design that dates back to the earliest days of knife making. I carry this knife several days out of the month in my EDC rotation and everyone who sees it comments on it's simple beauty. It is one of my favorite customs to carry. You can see this knife and Michael's other designs at http://www.michaelmorrisknives.com/ .
