Diamonds in the Rough!

Got the DE Imperial jack in today, and gave it a quick spa treatment. Gave it a quick Flitz polish all around. The plastic handle polished up nicely to my surprise. Soaked the innards with Kroil penetrating oil, and worked it all in. It dissolved all of the dried grease/oil that was stuck on the blade tangs and joints. Flushed it all with a degreaser, and a hot soapy bath with a toothbrush.

Some Nano Oil in the joints after blowing it out dry, and it snaps nicely. Really cool knife, I've never handled one like this before. I'll put my own edge on the blades and probably gift this to someone. I can think of a couple friends who would be really stoked about getting this.

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Here is a Shapleigh HDWE DE Serpentine or Dog Leg small Jack I just acquired. It is 3.125 inches closed. It was in pretty rough shape when I got it but I was impressed with the potential lineage. Neither blade would W&T with much if any snap especially the small blade. The primary Spear blade would move laterally when fully open about a 1/4 inch at the tip. The small blade would open but just sorta fall back on itself and there was no snap. The front bolster pin was loose and protruding a bit on the mark side. I soaked it overnight in a bath of Kano Kroil penetrating oil and then blew it all out with compressed air. Then I carefully hammered the front pin back in testing after each hammer strike until each blade was just about the right tightness. I then soaked it again (for about ten minutes) this time in Hoppe's No. 9 gun cleaning solvent and blew compressed air through it and then hit it with brake cleaner and compressed air again. At this point the blade action was much improved but stiff with no lateral blade movement on the spear and just a very slight amount on the pen. Oiled the joints with QR and worked the blades back and forth holding them with a thick rag about 50-60 times each and now they both snap back when closing. I finished by sanding the bolsters with 100o, 1500 and then 2000 3M wet/dry sandpaper and then further polishing the bolsters with 1.0 Micron diamond paste. This all took about 2 hours (not counting the overnight soak) but it now at least functions correctly--mission accomplished!

Look at the tang marking. If what Phill has been able to suggest from his observations, then this might just be an Empire produced Shapleigh folder. Thanks Phil for the insight! Thanks all for looking. Comments welcomed, LloydIMG_1267.jpg IMG_1261.jpg IMG_1263.jpg
 
Nice Jacks, Jack!!
Sure looks like Empire's work to me Lloyd!! Nice rescue!!
 
Nice <D-E> Hunter, Philllll!! Made by Empire where they called it a Hunting Knife. I don't know it it had a Nickname, either as an Empire or a Shapleigh, Will.
Yukons were usually Cattaraugus, weren't they???

Will Power Will Power philllll philllll
 
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