i have a very old hand me down imperial stock man that i love to carry but the backspring for the main blade is so weak that i consider it unsafe i would love to be able to fix the knife . so does anyone have any idea on how to fix this all suggestions are welcome thx
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any idea on how to fix a very weak backspring
- Thread starter bryant R
- Start date
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2011
- Messages
- 92
Bryant, this is just a thought because I have not encountered your problem; Is the spring actually weak, or is it possible that there is quite a bit of wear on the blade (or spring) where they come in contact? (you might be able to tell by seeing how far depressed the spring seems in the back of the knife) If that is the problem (wear) would it be possible or practical to have a jeweler braze up the worn area of the blade's worn pivot to get a little more pressure on the spring? Just a thought..
Bill DeShivs
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2000
- Messages
- 12,575
There is no practical way to do it.
The knife would have to be disassembled to repair it.
If the knife in question has stamped shell-type handles it may be feasible for you to repair it yourself. Can you post a picture?
The knife would have to be disassembled to repair it.
If the knife in question has stamped shell-type handles it may be feasible for you to repair it yourself. Can you post a picture?
Bill DeShivs
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2000
- Messages
- 12,575
If you want to attempt the repair yourself, I can help you here.
Bill DeShivs
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2000
- Messages
- 12,575
OK. You'll need a very small flat screwdriver, a file, a pin punch, drill, and a vise with anvil.
At the ends of the knife, inside the liners, you will see a small tab that is folded over the liners, from the bolsters. Use your screwdriver to bend these out just enough to clear the liners on one end only! Lift the handle until the tab clears and slide it rearward, so the other tab slips out. Remove the handles, and you will see 3 pins. The center and rear pins hold the backspring in place on a single blade knife. On a dual blade, only the center pin holds the backspring.
File the head off the rivet(s), and punch them out with the pin punch.
Remove the backspring and examine it for wear or cracks. If no cracks, gently bend the backspring to increase tension. Use a small common nail to replace the pins. If you can't find the exact size, chuck a larger nail in your drill and use it like a lathe to turn the nail down to exact size with the file.
Put the backspring in place and install the rear pin. The backspring will stick up at the pin hole. Place the knife in the vise, and gently squeeze the backspring down until you can insert the pin.
Try the knife. If it works satisfactorily, cut the pins off, leaving about 1/16" sticking out on both sides. File the ends of the pins flat, place on your vise or anvil, and GENTLY peen the pins with a very small hammer. Use light taps! Alternate sides until all the slack is taken up.
Slide the unbent handle tabs back into the rear of the knife, and use your screwdriver to fold the tabs back over flush.
Note: the tabs are fragile, and you probably can only bend them once!
At the ends of the knife, inside the liners, you will see a small tab that is folded over the liners, from the bolsters. Use your screwdriver to bend these out just enough to clear the liners on one end only! Lift the handle until the tab clears and slide it rearward, so the other tab slips out. Remove the handles, and you will see 3 pins. The center and rear pins hold the backspring in place on a single blade knife. On a dual blade, only the center pin holds the backspring.
File the head off the rivet(s), and punch them out with the pin punch.
Remove the backspring and examine it for wear or cracks. If no cracks, gently bend the backspring to increase tension. Use a small common nail to replace the pins. If you can't find the exact size, chuck a larger nail in your drill and use it like a lathe to turn the nail down to exact size with the file.
Put the backspring in place and install the rear pin. The backspring will stick up at the pin hole. Place the knife in the vise, and gently squeeze the backspring down until you can insert the pin.
Try the knife. If it works satisfactorily, cut the pins off, leaving about 1/16" sticking out on both sides. File the ends of the pins flat, place on your vise or anvil, and GENTLY peen the pins with a very small hammer. Use light taps! Alternate sides until all the slack is taken up.
Slide the unbent handle tabs back into the rear of the knife, and use your screwdriver to fold the tabs back over flush.
Note: the tabs are fragile, and you probably can only bend them once!