Demo knife (MIL-K) needs an overhaul

[gallonoffuel]

I recently bought an old Camillus demo knife to see if I enjoyed the features before buying one of the newer Ontario models. I carried it for a few weeks but the thing that made me put it away was how hard the tools were to open. The blade was easy, but the can and bottle openers required some other tool to get into the thumbnail slots to pry them open. I'm sure this isn't how it should be, but I don't know what Im looking for in order to fix it. I'm pretty sure something, if not multiple things, are bent inside and causing friction, but of course if you try to bend one thing, something else gets bent the other way.

If I grind the rivets down and take this thing apart, is there a good way to rivet it back together? Should I not even bother and just get a new one?

 

[canook]

My '91 Camillus was really sticky. The factory oil was all gummed up. I soaked it in gasoline for a couple days then clamped the tools in a vise and wiggled the handle to loosen it up a bit. After reoiling it worked fine, the tools still rub each other though but not as bad.

That being said, the Demo is still a pretty (really) low quality tool IMO. I don't know if the F and F is better on the new Ontarios but my Camillus is pretty bad. The functionality of a Vic Soldier/Pioneer is lightyears ahead of the demo.

One good thing I can way is that they're less common to see in other peoples pockets and they're a good peice of history. I still don't carry mine though. I much prefer my Soldier.

 

[gallonoffuel]

I was considering a Pioneer but there's a lot of appeal in the MIL-K in terms of history like you said, I like the all-stainless construction as well. I'll keep an eye out for the Ontario version to fondle and see if it's built any better, and I'll try cleaning out the one I have and reoiling it. Thanks for the advice!

 

[jackknife]

I spent 10 years on the army engineers, and the supply room had these things by the ton. Even then, most of the guys had a sak, because of the problems you mentioned. If your hands were a bit cold, or wet, it was impossible to open the screwdriver tool. Most of the guys carried the issued TL-29, that was also stocked back then in the supply room, or bought a sak on the civilian market. They didn't have multitools back then in the 60's.

The MIL-k knife is a heavy ill designed tool. They used the same stainless steel through the whole construction to save a bit of money, so the back springs have a nasty habit of breaking when opening or closing the knife.

As the other poster mentioned, get a sak pioneer or Wenger SI, and you'll be light years ahead with a better knife.