Finally scored a 1650T

O

OTguy

Joined
May 31, 2004
Messages
445
And it came in the mail today! Codger, I can see why this is your favorite pattern for a hunting knife, the balance is very good and it has just the right heft to it for a field knife. Its a used knife, but not abused at all, has a pretty good patina started. No dings or nicks in the blade. It'll get sharpened up and ready for the upcoming deer season, although I think its already a veteren of a few hunts.

I do have a question about the knife, there is a small gap in the two piece brass guard, nothing is loose or wiggles. I can see where the pins holding it in place are on the sides on the guard. Is there any way this could be peened back tight without damage to the knife? Has anyone done this with one of their knives, how did you do it, and how did it come out?

Anyways, I'm happy to finally be a member of the 165OT club.
 
Well alright then! Congratulations on a good score! There are some great deals out there on the slightly used ones. And considering the going price of a similar new production knife from another company (er... you have to go custom to get 1095 steel now, right?) even the NIB ones at near $100 are a bargain. I noticed there are several mint 165UH's on right now. They are, I think the second production ones, if you like stainless and staglon. The easiest way to tell at a glance if they are first (1969-'70) or second (1994-'97) production is by the shield. The earlier ones used the same shape shield as the Old Timer version, the second used the fancier shield seen on the UH pocketknives.

Yep, I think the Woodsman is a near perfect knife. The two piece guard is one flaw though. But with the exposed full tang, there was no way to slide a one piece guard over either the tang or the blade, and it be tight when in position behind the radiused choil. Some patterns, like the 15OT and 152OT, got around this by using an extended choil for a guard. Others used a two piece nickle silver bolster in place of a guard. The leather washer knives and other hidden tang knives like the 153UH have a slotted guard slipped on from the pommel end and it is held tight against a larger choil by pressure from the pinned pommel or hafting screw through the pommel plate.

I have a few of them and one of the guards came to me loose. I did peen the guard pin. First, close the gap between the two halves by tapping them together between two pieces of smooth softwood so you don't scar the guard. Then, with the guard resting on an anvil or heavy vise, tap the pin with a correctly sized punch to spread (swell) the pin. If your pin is slightly short to start with, it may wind up slightly countersunk, so you may want to peen from the obvers side. If it is too long (above flush), you can flush it with fine sandpaper and a small sanding block. Start with 320 grit and progress to finer grit as it becomes nearly flush. Another easier option is to add a tiny drop of super glue to the joint of the guard and blade after tapping the halves tight. I doubt there is enough room in the pin hole for the glue to get in there.

Hope this helps. And I think you will be pleased with your new knife. If not, just let me know. I always have room for one more!

Codger
 
Thanks for the tip on peening the guard, I'll have to give it a try. I was kinda thinking along those lines, but wanted to make sure that was the proper method.

You'll have to fill that extra space in your knife collection with some other 165OTs, I'm keeping this one :D .
 
Your knife is a second however that has nothing to do with the quality useability or beauty however you should be aware and the seller should have advised you. Chances are he did not even know. This malady was fairly common ( for this model ) and the practice was, if this occurred, the knife was deemed a second immediately. Take your time follow the instructions you should be able to make the repair. Good Luck LT
 
And on LT's note, if it is indeed a second, then tapping and peening may be to no avail. The recess provided in the halves may not be deep enough to allow the gap to close. If this is the case, (and you will find out soon enough) then you can (A) send the knife to a competent knife repairman like Sunrise River Custom Knife Repair, or (B) put superglue in the gap and live with it. Adding brass dust to the superglue hides the fill and the fill keeps foriegn matter (hair, teeth, and eyeballs) out of the gap.

In either case, it is not very likely that the guard will fall off. Even with no repair.

I honestly do not mind you owning one of my knives. I was just kidding. But do let me know when you are through with it. If all of you guys buy one, I'll never realize my dream of owning them all. :D

Codger
 
Thanks for the info LT, I had no idea that this indicated the knife was a second. The seller said nothing about it and it wasn't visible in the pics provided. Not going to complain to much though, its going to be a user and I only paid 20$. I will put that info on file though, for the day I go after a minty looking one and I'll ask the seller if pics don't show that part of the knife.

Codger, before I go and try to peen the guard, I'll give you a one time shot at trading me a mint one for my ultra-rare, super collectable second. ;)
If you think you're taking advantage of me, you can give me two.

OK, OK, it never hurts to ask. Kinda like propositioning the ladies, on occasion(blue moon for me) one says yes.
 
At a purchase price of $20, you did OK. That is the low end price for a good user with defects. Whether or not the guard tightens, you got a decent knife at a good price.

I make judgement calls each time on asking sellers for more detailed pictures. Usually on something I am going to pay over $30-35 for I will. Many times they took a whole set and only put their choice one or two in the listing.

"Hello Miss, would you go home with me for $2,000?" "Why, sure I will!" "O.k., I'll give you $50.00." "Hey! What do you think I am!!??" "We've already established that, Miss, now we are negotiating a price." :D

OTguy, I'll give you a moneyback gurantee that the seller did not. If you find any defect in the knife, I'll give you your twenty back for it and pay the shipping to me! ;)

Or, since I know that your like knives with a history, I have one that was owned by a man mauled by a bear, then rolled down a rocky granite slope into his campfire. The seller says all this happened when he was on a secret OSS mission in USSR back in '61. There is an AK round embedded in the shield that verifies this. :eek:

Codger
 
No more coffee for you this morning, Codger. :eek: Your yarn spinnin' is in fine form already.

Next thing you'll be describing old Jim's weapon of choice, as if you had it in hand. :D

Just pointedly pokin' fun...ramble on! :thumbup:

Bill

P. S.
Will you be telling stories here all weekend??
I know...try the veal.
 
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