#77 Washington Street!!

I received my HJ today, and I have to agree with the frustrations regarding the punch pull. at first I couldn't open the punch with my fingers, so I had to resort to using a screw driver. Well, I gave it a good rinse with hot water, flushed with WD-40, worked it for about 10 minutes while adding liberal doses of 3-in-1(and only cut myself once!), and left it in the 1/4 open position for about an hour. After all that the pull is still strong, but nothing like it was.
In the end I would rather loosen up a 9 pull then start out with something weak. All I can say is to give it time and really clean, oil it, and work it, and you might be surprised with the results. Other than the punch pull(and a couple minor finish flaws on the polished areas) I am extremely pleased.
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I told Bill I wanted a really big punch! It looks like he took me seriously!!
I can't wait to get my grubby paws on one!!
 
waynorth said:
I take full responsibility for the firm punch spring!
I have supplied these knives to saddlers, horse trainers and others who use them regularly, and I have gotten many requests to strengthen the punch springs for safety! One person even sent me a picture of his finger with a nasty gash!!:eek:
Used correctly and carefully (he admitted he was in a hurry!), that will never happen. But, my friends, we always try to design knives for the end user!
I can't help it if they are so beautiful everyone (me included)wants one . . . .or several!!!:D;)
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Thank you, Charlie! It's always nice to hear that there is actual reason for something on a knife! I'm not going to give up on this knife. I like a big punch, too. (on a knife)

SadSappySucker said:
I received my HJ today, and I have to agree with the frustrations regarding the punch pull. at first I couldn't open the punch with my fingers, so I had to resort to using a screw driver. Well, I gave it a good rinse with hot water, flushed with WD-40, worked it for about 10 minutes while adding liberal doses of 3-in-1(and only cut myself once!), and left it in the 1/4 open position for about an hour. After all that the pull is still strong, but nothing like it was.
In the end I would rather loosen up a 9 pull then start out with something weak. All I can say is to give it time and really clean, oil it, and work it, and you might be surprised with the results. Other than the punch pull(and a couple minor finish flaws on the polished areas) I am extremely pleased.
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Thanks, Erik! I started working on it as soon as I got it and will continue to do so. There is a lot of lubricant and crud coming out. I hope that will lessen the pull on it.

The punch is sharp. Always like a knife that bites me - helps me know we are going to be together for awhile! I'm not giving up on this one as I've wanted a Harness Jack for a long time.
 
Flushing out the joint and lubrication might help with the friction component of being hard to open, but a spring should not weaken even with 100,000 'flexes'. I know this is hard to believe but there are posts here in BF made by steel 'specialists' who state this to be the case.
I cannot recall which sub-forum has this 'spring discussion' and "spring" is not a useful search term in BF.
kj
 
Charlie, regarding injury inflicted by Punch blade: most of us have not used a Punch blade to make a hole in leather, but i think you have. Is the correct technique to apply a little 'back pressure' to keep the tang well applied to the end of it's spring ?
Until you mentioned it i had not realized that a Punch 'bite' occurs more easily than a Blade 'bite' because of the force direction with use.
kj
 
waynorth said:
I told Bill I wanted a really big punch! It looks like he took me seriously!!
I can't wait to get my grubby paws on one!!
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I was a little surprised by the size, but the real shock came when I compared it with a pioneer.
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The SAK is dwarfed by the 77!
 
kootenay joe said:
a spring should not weaken even with 100,000 'flexes'.
kj
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I couldn't agree more with this statement. Leaving a spring open at whatever angle, even for days, does nothing. It's all about perception.... people perceive that it weakens, but if it did, the knife would be a worthless paperweight. I tried it myself, then sent said knife to GEC and when it was returned, the spring was ever so slightly weaker.

Now, how about another shot of the lovely Autumn Gold!

 
kootenay joe said:
Charlie, regarding injury inflicted by Punch blade: most of us have not used a Punch blade to make a hole in leather, but i think you have. Is the correct technique to apply a little 'back pressure' to keep the tang well applied to the end of it's spring ?
Until you mentioned it i had not realized that a Punch 'bite' occurs more easily than a Blade 'bite' because of the force direction with use.
kj
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Joe, this might deserve a thread of its own. I should have a new HJ in a day or two. I will do a punch technique thread, at least as I know how to do it!
I am anxious to see how they perform anyway!
 
Thanks Waynorth. Ya mean there's more to it than poke the punch through the leather ?
I think it will be a well followed thread. We can get all of our Campagna Harness Jacks out and a piece of leather (or old shoe) and learn how to cut holes the Professional way.
kj
 
Frank, thank you for the link to the Spring discussion. The posts i was thinking of are a few years older, but the info. is similar.
kj
 
kootenay joe said:
Thanks Waynorth. Ya mean there's more to it than poke the punch through the leather ?
I think it will be a well followed thread. We can get all of our Campagna Harness Jacks out and a piece of leather (or old shoe) and learn how to cut holes the Professional way.
kj
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I will also be looking toward to learning the proper technique! Now where are those old belts?
 
Charlie, most of the punches used in previous models were from designs used many years ago. Was this one also from a previously designed pattern or one that Bill came across himself.

Russell
 
When I have used a punch to make a hole in leather (using a Sak Pioneer), and the same tool to start drill holes in wood, I found that the technique to use is one of rotation, using only enough downward pressure to keep the point in the same place, and letting the sharp edge of the punch do the work of slowly drilling through. Also makes a nice smooth round hole instead of a puncture.

If you look at the blade shape on the punch you can see that it has a curved hollow with a sharp edge to it, so clearly it is made to do exactly that. You also don't run the risk of damaging the fine point by too much straight down pressure.
 
augie said:
i've received my 3 bone washington jacks and all i can say is wow! These knives are absolutely the most beautiful knives i have ever seen. Fine jewelry for old men.
Some crappy pics until the weather improves, middle of a noreaster with a possible hurricane behind it so good pics have to wait,

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I AGREE THOSE WASHINGTONS ARE OUSTANDING. HOPEFULLY I CAN GET ONE.
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bozack said:
Nice collection triple M. Here is what the mail brought me today. I just want to say that each one is perfect.
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Thanks, bozack. Congrats on yours!


jc57 said:
When I have used a punch to make a hole in leather (using a Sak Pioneer), and the same tool to start drill holes in wood, I found that the technique to use is one of rotation, using only enough downward pressure to keep the point in the same place, and letting the sharp edge of the punch do the work of slowly drilling through. Also makes a nice smooth round hole instead of a puncture.

If you look at the blade shape on the punch you can see that it has a curved hollow with a sharp edge to it, so clearly it is made to do exactly that. You also don't run the risk of damaging the fine point by too much straight down pressure.
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Exactly how I use a punch. I recently used the punch on my 54 Harness Jack to install CB radios in a couple of our vehicles. Excellent for starting screw holes in hard vinyl/plastic, as well as cutting clean, precise holes in the bedliners to run coax thru the rear cab vent holes.
 
My ebony HJ arrived. It's quite the handsome knife! Punch is loosening up a bit, there was a fair amount of gunk in the joints.

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I was finally able to get the Washington's together for a family photo! :thumbup::D
These are absolutely some of the most beautiful knives I have the pleasure to own.
As Pam said when she first handled one, "These are definitely Classy Knives!" :D

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