Help repairing Solingen stacked leather handle

[Flemm]

Hello everyone,

I picked up this little knife the other day. As you can see the leather/brass spacers have significantly deteriorated.
I have a few questions on fixing this:

* How do these kinds of peened tangs / pommels with the little brass washer work? I'd like to know how to remove the pommel without damaging it too much.

* Can you buy replacement spacers and where? Or am I going to have to make them myself?

*Would you suggest an alternative handle replacement which me be easier? I.e. could I just replace it with horn / wood?

Thanks guys, this will be my first knife restoration and I appreciate any input.

 

[killgar]

That brass piece looks like a pommel nut. A fork-like tool would insert into the slots on each side to tighten/loosen the nut.

As for the spacers, you can buy 1/16" thick G10 and brass sheet to make new ones.

 

[Flemm]

That brass piece looks like a pommel nut. A fork-like tool would insert into the slots on each side to tighten/loosen the nut.

As for the spacers, you can buy 1/16" thick G10 and brass sheet to make new ones.

This is a great help, thanks killgar.
With my knife though it seems as if there is metal stuck in the grooves you would stick the fork into unfortunately. I might try drilling it out unless you had any ideas on how to do it properly?

 

[Bill DeShivs]

You need to file the steel center piece down a little. They were generally peened a little to keep the nut from unscrewing.
you can probably dig the junk out of the slots- unless someone filled them with solder.
I don't see too much wrong with the handle. If there is a piece pf leather missing, you can make one and cut a slot in it, then glue it in place.

 

[Flemm]

You need to file the steel center piece down a little. They were generally peened a little to keep the nut from unscrewing.
you can probably dig the junk out of the slots- unless someone filled them with solder.
I don't see too much wrong with the handle. If there is a piece pf leather missing, you can make one and cut a slot in it, then glue it in place.

Ah right, somebody must have filled it with solder. Thanks for the tip about filling away the peened section. I'll have to post some photos when I'm done

 

[Flemm]

Ah right, somebody must have filled it with solder. Thanks for the tip about filling away the peened section. I'll have to post some photos when I'm done

Managed to just take a blow torch to it and the solder came out nice and easy should hopefully be able to get it apart now! Thanks guys!

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Before you take the knife apart, try sanding the leather handle. Sand in one direction only, starting with 220 grit paper, then 400 grit and see how it looks. If you like it, you can wax it.