It's no secret that my closest and oldest knife making friend is Jerry Rados.
Jerry was my first real exposure into making knives.
Of course, Jerry is known for his impeccable multi-bar flawless Turkish Twist, and when you match that up with a full Damascus auto folder with fluted MOP and gold inlay and jewels, etc., he makes a knife that few people have even held.
A knife like that was one of the fist hand made knives I ever held.
Quite an intro into knife making.  :eek:
Well, that was 17 years ago and they just seem to keep on ticking by.
Making folders is something that has been on my back burner for a loooooooooooong time.
I just finally had to make it happen.
Jerry and I are now separated by about 1000 miles, so running over to his house, like in the past, is no longer an option.
For about a year, I have been bugging Keith Johnson, here in northern Minnesota, to give me a few lock-back lessons.
Once some other guys heard about it, they also asked to join in.
So, this past weekend, Keith delivered up in spades, and four of us gathered at his shop for some instruction.
Keith only stood back and gave assistance, and we all did our own hands-on work. So everything is sole authorship.
This is not done, but I was sitting here at the computer doing some photo work and thought I'd toss this up.
I had my own plan, as far as what I wanted to make, so what you see here is all carbon steel - 15N20 frame, 1080 lock-bar and rear spacer, and a laddered Damascus blade.
Everything is all hardened and such.
I wanted all carbon steel so I could hot-blue everything.
The scales are early 20th century Bakelite.
I have so much work to do this year, I'm sure I won't get this done for another couple weeks or so, but here is the first folder from Andersen Forge - not-yet-done.
I tip my hat to Keith for his help and Jerry Rados for his never ending inspiration.

VERY cool. I love folders, but wow are there a lot of things you have to pay attention to for it to be a good one. I look forward to seeing it all dressed up.

Jeremy

Bring it to Arkansas even if it's not done Karl. There will be people there that want to see it. One at least.    

Nice Karl!

Folders boggle my little mind, coupled with my primitively equiped shop. anything beyond a frontier friction folder is out of the question!

Looking foward to seeing that completed with the yellow scales!   Cool!

Steve
---------
Potomac Forge
Member, W.F. Moran Jr. Museum & Foundation
ABS AP

Nice start Karl! I can't wait to see the finished knife. With your craftsmanship, I'm sure it will coveted by many! Mike

More than one Lin...        

Awesome.  Other than possibly a friction folder, probably a straight razor, I currently have no desire at all to try my hand at a folder, despite quite a few people around my stomping grounds trying to get me to.  However, after seeing how tricky it can be just to fit up the relatively simple fixed blades I've been doing the last few years, I have a tremendous amount of respect for anybody that's willing to even attempt a folder.  Can't wait to see this one finished.

Matt

cant wait to see it finished up!

Looking good Karl. Folders are tricky. I think I can make a bowie in less time!
Darcy  

I KNOW I can.   :D  

QuoteOriginally posted by D.Ellis:
Looking good Karl. Folders are tricky. I think I can make a bowie in less time!
Darcy      

Looking forward to seeing it finished. Lockbacks are my favorite knife.

Looking good Karl. No secret to how I feel about folders.  I like where this is going. Looking forward to more.

Chris