Any of you have experience with Case repairing vintage XX era knives?

Doug Add

Doug Add

Joined
Jan 9, 2012
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I picked up this Case XX 62024 ½ Barehead Jack a month and a half ago, because I like the old red bone. At the price I got it for I knew it would have issues, so was not surprised to find that the clip blade spring is weak.

It holds tightly in place when closed and at the half stop, but not when open, and the spring sits a bit proud out of the frame for most of its length in all three positions.

In the second picture it is the secondary spring you see, as I had the blade a quarter of the way open for the photo, but you can see the main blade spring in the first picture.

Would Case even consider working on such an old knife? Have any of you sent similar vintage knives in for repair? If so, what has been your experience?

62024Nov3a.jpg


62024Nov3c.jpg
 
Im still trying to figure a way to fix your issue, could you post a picture of the backsprings from the back? I know for a fact that case cant replace any of the parts for your knife with original hardware, they state specifically that replacement is of current stock; however with that being said, if its an issue of grinding down a part or an adjustment of some sort, i think they could help. If you could post clearer pics of the issue it would be easier to diagnose
 
the problem with half stops is that the tang is ground square, instead of round (obviously), and the reason it's weak in the fully open position is because the spring gets pushed out further from the closed position to half stop than from half stop to fully open, i think a diagram will explain this better. So in the fully open position, the spring is under less tension than in half stop, therefore loosey goosey

springs.png
 
I wouldn't try to send the knife to Case. How about the guy that re-handled your Barlow (I think) with yellow bone covers?
 
Thanks for the help guys. Further pics will have to wait until tomorrow.

Good suggestion Ed.
 
Doug Add said:
Thanks for the help guys. Further pics will have to wait until tomorrow.

Good suggestion Ed.
Click to expand...

Thought I should post here with my experience: I inherited a pre '64 Case red bone 2-blade folding hunter (Case XX 6265 SAB) with a broken pivot pin. One blade was completely out of the knife, both blades were rusted, the liners were sprung and corroded, and the scales were dull and dirty. I had "before" pictures of the broken knife, but can't seem to find them now.

I sent the knife to Case with a letter requesting a price for repair, or to return the knife un-repaired (rather than replacing) because of sentimental value. I figured worst case (no pun intended) I would try to put the knife back together myself. This was a bit over a year ago.

About three weeks later I received this in the mail:

http://imageshack.us/a/img14/1627/img3239copy.jpg

They repaired/restored the knife at no cost, now that's service! I'll hand this knife down to one of my sons, and it will likely go to one of my grand kids someday.

Good luck with your Case!
 
Thanks for bringing this back up. I sort of put it on the back burner, then forgot about it. Your result is encouraging.

Ed, I contacted the fellow who did the work on my Colonial, and if I recall correctly he said it probably needed to be repinned.
 
Hey Doug, I remember Carl telling a story about sending in his fathers peanut to have a new scale and new blade, I would say it was a early 40's nut by the time frame he referenced,( going to school prior to WWII ) and he sounded happy with the fix. Maybe send a email or place a phone call to Case.

Pete
 
Thanks Pete.

Here are some rudimentary pics to illustrate the issue.

After opening the clip blade it droops to this position.

62024Jan24a.jpg


The next four are attempts to show the clip blade spring sitting ever so slightly proud in the closed position.

Looking at the knife from the pen blade side (looking across the pen blade spring you can see the clip blade spring slightly higher).

62024Jan24b.jpg


A close-up shot from the clip blade side.

62024Jan24c.jpg


Looking directly at the pivot end, the offending spring is on the right.

62024Jan24d.jpg


A slightly different angle, allowing a look along the springs.

62024Jan24e.jpg
 
About a year ago I purchased a XX era slimline trapper from an antique store. The biggest problem was dirt that was easily removed but it also had some side-to-side blade movement and like yours the back spring was standing proud. I sent it to Case to see what they could do and if nothing have them send it back, the issues weren't too severe to not use it. They fixed and returned it in a short period of time (don't remember how long) with no side blade movement, spring relatively flush, and a stronger snap than before. Others more knowledgeable than me may know better what exactly was done with mine and what could be done with yours but repinning makes sense, holes do wear after 50-70 years. All I can say is that Case did a fantastic job with mine and in the worst case they could send it back to you. This picture doesn't show much but here's the knife...
P1010438.JPG
 
I will provide updates here as I have information. Thanks again everyone for your help!
 
I'll tell you what I think: that knife is a very desirable piece, if you get it repaired to your satisfaction it will be on everybody's want list. Good luck with the project.

thanks, Will
 
Thank you Will. I grabbed it because of the red bone, and because I really like barehead jacks.

Oh yeah, and I like smaller, rather than larger knives (it is 3" closed).
 
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