A tour of the factory - iKnife Collector2024-03-28T15:18:21Zhttps://iknifecollector.com/forum/topics/a-tour-of-the-factory?groupUrl=greateasterncutlery&commentId=3181080%3AComment%3A672534&xg_source=activity&groupId=3181080%3AGroup%3A681&feed=yes&xn_auth=noOkay, that's what I thought,…tag:iknifecollector.com,2012-08-12:3181080:Comment:6756532012-08-12T21:59:33.517ZCraig Henryhttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/CraigHenry
<p>Okay, that's what I thought, but you never know knowadays! Thanks!!<br></br> <br></br> <cite>Will O said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.iknifecollector.com/forum/topics/a-tour-of-the-factory?groupUrl=greateasterncutlery&page=2&commentId=3181080%3AComment%3A675327&x=1#3181080Comment675105"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p><br></br> What this means is that there is a small nub on the back of the bolster when it is formed. This nub is used to hold the bolster to the scale. This…</p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Okay, that's what I thought, but you never know knowadays! Thanks!!<br/> <br/> <cite>Will O said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.iknifecollector.com/forum/topics/a-tour-of-the-factory?groupUrl=greateasterncutlery&page=2&commentId=3181080%3AComment%3A675327&x=1#3181080Comment675105"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p><br/> What this means is that there is a small nub on the back of the bolster when it is formed. This nub is used to hold the bolster to the scale. This is not the pivot pin. </p>
<p><br/> <cite>Craig Henry said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.iknifecollector.com/forum/topics/a-tour-of-the-factory?groupUrl=greateasterncutlery&#3181080Comment672886"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p><span>"The pin is actually a part of the bolster, not welded on."</span></p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p><span>The pivot pin?! If so, I'd like to have more information about this/ more detail about the construction process. </span></p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote> Will O,
Thanks for that clari…tag:iknifecollector.com,2012-08-12:3181080:Comment:6753272012-08-12T15:29:00.626ZJan Carterhttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/JanCarter
<p>Will O,</p>
<p>Thanks for that clarification. I truly appreciate it</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>Will O,</p>
<p>Thanks for that clarification. I truly appreciate it</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p> I'll have more on this tomrro…tag:iknifecollector.com,2012-08-12:3181080:Comment:6749582012-08-12T01:26:29.230ZJan Carterhttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/JanCarter
<p>I'll have more on this tomrrow guys...sorry for the delay</p>
<p>I'll have more on this tomrrow guys...sorry for the delay</p> Jan Carter said:
Craig,
That…tag:iknifecollector.com,2012-08-08:3181080:Comment:6731822012-08-08T05:18:22.989ZCraig Henryhttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/CraigHenry
<p><em>Jan Carter said:</em></p>
<p><em>Craig,</em></p>
<p><em>That is actually all I know about that part of the process. I did reach out to Pat..he is much more experienced than I am about the process and even the tour for that matter. I will see if we can get you an answer on that in a timely manner</em></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p>Thanks Jan, I really appreciate it! I'm a nuts 'n' bolts kinda guy.</p>
<p><em>Jan Carter said:</em></p>
<p><em>Craig,</em></p>
<p><em>That is actually all I know about that part of the process. I did reach out to Pat..he is much more experienced than I am about the process and even the tour for that matter. I will see if we can get you an answer on that in a timely manner</em></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p>Thanks Jan, I really appreciate it! I'm a nuts 'n' bolts kinda guy.</p> Now we go to the grinding. B…tag:iknifecollector.com,2012-08-08:3181080:Comment:6731612012-08-08T00:33:39.725ZJan Carterhttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/JanCarter
<p>Now we go to the grinding. Billy H. and Bob Linquist grind our blades 1 blade, one side at a time. <span>After the blades are ground they then get the point protector removed. Next, they are double headed. (The machine with two wheels that come together) The main purpose of this is to thin the point of the blade and it also helps to remove grind lines in the blade which improves the satin and polished finishes, respectively. Following this is...if the blades are northfields they are…</span></p>
<p>Now we go to the grinding. Billy H. and Bob Linquist grind our blades 1 blade, one side at a time. <span>After the blades are ground they then get the point protector removed. Next, they are double headed. (The machine with two wheels that come together) The main purpose of this is to thin the point of the blade and it also helps to remove grind lines in the blade which improves the satin and polished finishes, respectively. Following this is...if the blades are northfields they are machine swedged right on the big grinders. Tidioutes are hand swedged in the fab room on a belt.</span> If you ever get an opportunity to see this happen, it is amazing. Each one is done individually and those two gentleman have a great eye for making certain that each one is straight. As you can see this group of blades still have the tip protectors on them</p>
<p><img src="http://greateasterncutlery.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/maverick-mystery-knives-2.jpg"/></p>
<p>The swedge on a Northfield is done on a belt in the Fab room. Tidioute is not done on a belt, they are done by hand.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Tomorrow we can visit the Assembly room and Ms. Connie</p> Craig,
That is actually all I…tag:iknifecollector.com,2012-08-08:3181080:Comment:6732262012-08-08T00:03:15.749ZJan Carterhttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/JanCarter
<p>Craig,</p>
<p>That is actually all I know about that part of the process. I did reach out to Pat..he is much more experienced than I am about the process and even the tour for that matter. I will see if we can get you an answer on that in a timely manner</p>
<p>JJ,</p>
<p>Me too, I knew they were different. I have girl hands. wrists and nails so alot of nail "marks" just dont work for me and I end up having to grasp the blade to open. I did know I had much better success opening long…</p>
<p>Craig,</p>
<p>That is actually all I know about that part of the process. I did reach out to Pat..he is much more experienced than I am about the process and even the tour for that matter. I will see if we can get you an answer on that in a timely manner</p>
<p>JJ,</p>
<p>Me too, I knew they were different. I have girl hands. wrists and nails so alot of nail "marks" just dont work for me and I end up having to grasp the blade to open. I did know I had much better success opening long pulls from GEC and was a little surprised because they do have a good strong backspring. Now I know why they work better for me.:)</p>
<p>Dale,</p>
<p>its my pleasure. </p> "The pin is actually a part o…tag:iknifecollector.com,2012-08-07:3181080:Comment:6728862012-08-07T21:50:42.809ZCraig Henryhttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/CraigHenry
<p><span>"The pin is actually a part of the bolster, not welded on."</span></p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p><span>The pivot pin?! If so, I'd like to have more information about this/ more detail about the construction process. </span></p>
<p><span>"The pin is actually a part of the bolster, not welded on."</span></p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p><span>The pivot pin?! If so, I'd like to have more information about this/ more detail about the construction process. </span></p> Thanks for posting this, Jan.tag:iknifecollector.com,2012-08-07:3181080:Comment:6727122012-08-07T02:42:17.633ZD alehttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/DaleDavenport
<p style="text-align: center;">Thanks for posting this, Jan.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Thanks for posting this, Jan.</p> Nice to know about the nail p…tag:iknifecollector.com,2012-08-07:3181080:Comment:6726052012-08-07T01:43:32.821ZJ.J. Smith IIIhttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/JohnJSmithIII
Nice to know about the nail pulls. I'm impressed with them. Other companies seem to have them just for looks, and not for actual use.
Nice to know about the nail pulls. I'm impressed with them. Other companies seem to have them just for looks, and not for actual use. The next step (Fab room) we s…tag:iknifecollector.com,2012-08-07:3181080:Comment:6724872012-08-07T00:54:08.135ZJan Carterhttps://iknifecollector.com/profile/JanCarter
<p>The next step (Fab room) we see the pinch on press where dimples are place both sides are deburred and nail marks are added. An interesting part of this is that the long pull created by GEC is actually a trademark item. It is done on a form press and pressed into the blade.</p>
<p>When Pat places a blade order it is usually 200-300 pieces. This is to insure we get enough for the run. The springs are then waterjetted using what is called garnet sand. They are not pressed because this…</p>
<p>The next step (Fab room) we see the pinch on press where dimples are place both sides are deburred and nail marks are added. An interesting part of this is that the long pull created by GEC is actually a trademark item. It is done on a form press and pressed into the blade.</p>
<p>When Pat places a blade order it is usually 200-300 pieces. This is to insure we get enough for the run. The springs are then waterjetted using what is called garnet sand. They are not pressed because this process is quicker with no flaring of the parts. When you see this picture on the left you will see a shower curtain behind those machines. Below that curtain in a trough where the water collects for recycling. </p>
<p><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2770198192?profile=original)"/></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>The blades then go to the heat treat, cooled with cryogenics the blade is a rockwell hardness of between 57&59 and the springs test out between 45&47.</p>
<p>When a new pattern comes out every blade gets a rockwell test.</p>
<p>Then the blades present to the tang area. When this is done, only the tang area is heated to accept the die.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Tomorrow we will go to the grinders :)</p>