A rebuild for Codger

M

muskrat man

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I got this one in the mail from Codger for a fix. As you can see in the pics, the scale was out of alignment and there was a chip from the spine of the right hand scale.

As I recieved it:
schraderebuild003.jpg

schraderebuild007.jpg

schraderebuild009.jpg

schraderebuild013.jpg


The new pin, some tedious fitting got this right.
schraderebuild022.jpg



Preparing the bone for the patch job:
schraderebuild027.jpg


Fitting, used needle files for all of this
Step 1
schraderebuild028.jpg

Step 2
schraderebuild030.jpg

Step 3
schraderebuild031.jpg

Step 4
schraderebuild042.jpg

after step 3 it was thinned to meet close to the same bevel and thickness then it was glued on and final fitting was done to get the result in step 4.

I posted this per Codgers request.
Ratman out
 
I hated to have to do anything to this knife after doing a bit of research on it, but an old soldier like this deserves a new lease on life. Yes, the break and missing pin were on the rear, so I could have just displayed it with the mark side out and forgotten about it. But having seen Muskratman's budding talent in work with bone both in cover replacement and restoration, I decided to let him have a go at it. And you can guess by the results shown here that I am pleased with my choice. The knife won't be an EDC, but it does have a complete and presentable appearance now, and though not mint, it is an excellent example of the 861 open stock Slim Premium Stock.

Here is a bit of the research I did on the pattern:

264mfbb.jpg


The 861 Slim Premium Stock knife was a 4" three bladed stockman with the familiar nickle silver shield and bolsters. The linings are nickle silver matching the bolsters and shield.

As with most of the open stock line, the blades were 1095HC carbon steel, a 2 15/16" Turkish clip, 2 1/16" spey, and a 2" sheepfoot blade. The 861 goes back to the old Schrade Cut Co # 8613, and was listed as late as 1954 as having a milled back, as does this example. Through 1961 it is listed as the stagged bone which you see here, then in 1962 for the first time, “Unbreakable Staglon”.

The 861 (pattern #330) was discontinued from inventory in 1975 with the final 3,230 pieces being shipped by the year end. Sales of the pattern had fallen to 1,300 pieces by 1974 from 6,100 in 1973, a marked decline. It was discontinued from catalogs after 1973.

It was hoped that by putting the 861 pattern into the Old Timer line, sales would once again increase, as first year sales indicated it would. 39,000 of the 61OT sold in 1977, the first full year after the initial advertising campaign and catalog appearance. This topped 50,000 pieces for 1978.

Incidentally, I did get an example of the 61OT as well, though it needs no repair beyond a deep cleaning and a bit of oil in the joints.

Codger
PS - Thank you again Kaleb!
 
Glad you are happy with the result. Repaired handle or not, still a wonderful knife! Here is a clearer scan of the handle repair, not really visible unless you are really looking for it, or are looking at it through a fairly powerful glass. At first glance it really blends with the jigging and color matched up fiarly well, I think so anyway.
scan0002-1.jpg

Ratman out
 
I sure like the idea of preserving as much of that old knife as possible. It's one of those calls where it's good to work on it, and it increases the value and presentability of a nice knife.
 
That is a nice old piece, Codg, and fine work by MM.

I usually pass by those if I see them in that condition on ebay. I may have to rethink that. ;)

Glenn
 
Glenn, I've been known to buy a few "pig-in-a-poke" eBay orphans if the price is right. At about $16 for this one, I figured it was worth taking a chance. I thought that in the worst case, repaired or not, it had a market value of at least double that. However that is not to say that I let market value rule my buying habits since I don't sell knives, and have no plans to. But who among us doesn't appreciate a bargain? Besides, now I need to find some older busted up bone knives to send MM for his own use. All the better if they have a usable blade or spring. The lad has talent and his cutler Dad as a mentor.

Codger
 
MM and Codger,
Thanks for sharing a handsome folder and some very nice repair work.
I agree that maintaining as much of the original integrity as possible was a real good decision.
Again, Thanks for sharing. Impressive!
 
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