Clamshell questions

[Misplaced Hillbilly]

Ok here goes, I don't know to much about the clamshells. I can see how their put together with the tabs bent under the liners to hold the covers on. So question one: Without taking the covers off(afraid to break the tab) is there a way to tighten one up? I'm afraid squeezing it in a padded vise will bend the covers. My Hammer brand has a little side to side play not enough I'm going to worry with it, just want to know in case I pick up another that's worse how to fix it. Question 2: on the Hammer the covers wiggle around a little, the tab is a little narrower than its slot in the liner,is there a way to fix that or is that pretty normal? And last I've seen mentioned the wrap or whatever its called on the covers are celluloid, is it the same as solid celluloid on other knife covers? Do I have to watch for gassing in these? Thanks for any help with these questions.

 

[afishhunter]

On one of my Imperial (Ireland) Barlows the clamshell covers were a little loose.
If you have a flat blade precision screwdriver that is as wide as, or just a hair narrower than the tab, you can use it to bend the tabs to tighten the covers.

That's how I tighten them, anyway.

 

[Kbrasmodeler]

Alternatively, you could go more in depth. I've taken the hollow covers off, filled them with epoxy, and then put them back on. Makes it feel more solid, if you feel confident in doing this.
As far as the plastic goes, most that I have seen are a thin film over hollow metal. I've never had a problem with outgassing.

 

[glennbad]

If you are referring to tightening up the blade play, then no, without taking the covers off, you won't be able to work on it

 

[Kbrasmodeler]

If you are referring to tightening up the blade play, then no, without taking the covers off, you won't be able to work on it

I missed that. Thought we were discussing tightening the covers. Glennbad is correct.

 

[Misplaced Hillbilly]

Thanks

 

[Misplaced Hillbilly]

I was wondering about both issues actually, should I get one that needs the blades tightened I'll risk removing the covers, the little bit that's in my Hammer isn't enough to worry with. According to tang stamp charts it dates to the 30's so I don't want to mess it up its in really great shape overall, thanks for the responses guys.

 

[joeradza]

I thought you were talking about my stag teardtop.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Here's a link below, to an old thread with a tutorial on disassembling & rebuilding an old clamshell-handled traditional. Gives a pretty good look at how they're put together. I always thought it was a neat thread in general. Kudos to BF members Bill DeShivs and the OP there, E.K.Tryon.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/old-folder-needs-help-project-completed.818189/

 

[Misplaced Hillbilly]

Obsessed with Edges Just looked through that thread, had a busy day, but thanks for posting the link. That's pretty much all I needed. I could have eventually figured one out myself, but with access to a good group of experts why not tap into their experience and expertise. Thanks to all who helped!