Advice on maintenance of antique Schrade push button

[Bob Schwartz]

I just purchased a silver Schrade Walden push button (spring loaded, switchblade) knife that is in excellent condition for a 100 year old knife. However the blades do not spring fully into the locked position when the buttons are pushed. The blades are tight and I expect they need oil, but I don't know how to best proceed with cleaning and oiling this beauty.

Please share your advice. Thanks in advance. Rob

 

[K33ncutter]

Sounds like it is in a lot better shape than this one. Since I have never done anything to it since it was given to me about 45 or 50 years ago, I can’t offer you any help, unfortunately.

 

[tltt]

If you're lucky, it's just built up gunk. Flush it out with WD40 or similar, try not to get any on the handles. While it's lubed up, open it both by the button, and manually like a normal folder. Do this a good number of times, then wipe it out with a q-tip, and re-oil with some mineral oil or another lube.

If this doesn't fix it, then the spring is weak or the blade position is wrong, etc.... and you'll need to learn to live with it or have a repairman see to it (this can be a hassle). Also if the spring continues to be weak, you might try opening it in various positions / angles. Sometimes that will help a tiny bit.

 

[brownshoe]

Ask Bill DeShivs of this forum. He's a cutler who specializes in switchblades and restoration.