How to Fix a Proud Pin?

[AFAustin]

I would appreciate any advice on lowering/smoothing a pin which sits a tad proud. Not the handiest guy here, so am hoping for a method that is simple and doesn't require much in the way of tools.

Thanks,

Andrew

 

[Squashfan]

Where on the knife is this proud pin? If it is in a highly polished area it will mean more work.

 

[Portman30-06]

It depends on the finish you want. It you just want to have it smooth and don't care about it being rough looking, the easiest and fastest way would be to file it or take some rough sandpaper to it. I you want it to match in the end you will need to do the above with a little car, and then take it up i grits until it matches. If the knife has a finish, such as its been rubbed with oil, you will then need to do that. Reply with more feedback because this will get you started if you wanna jump at it, but we need some more info to help you well.

 

[AFAustin]

It's in the (pakkawood) scales of an inexpensive little lockback. It only protrudes a little but I'm particular about having a smooth feel to the handle. I could sand it, but am afraid of what that would do to the scales.

Andrew

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Is it a brass pin, or nickel? If so, it should be relatively easy to sand with some high-grit paper (600-800+) without doing much or any cosmetic damage to the scales. Pakkawood is (I think) a wood laminate/resin composite, sort of like stabilized wood, and it sands & finishes pretty easily; so, if you're concerned about damaging it, the higher-grit paper in SiC or AlOx should leave a decent or nice finish. If I were to try it, I'd wrap a small piece of sandpaper around a small wooden block or stick; use it sort of like a file, with very gentle pressure. Even if the pin is stainless, SiC or AlOx sandpaper (wet/dry) should handle it pretty easily.


David

 

[AFAustin]

Thanks, gents, for the posts.

David, the pin is brass, so that sounds like the way to go.

Thanks again,

Andrew

 

[crom]

I had a proud pin I sanded with my wife's emery board. I took my time so as not to damage the wood scales, I believe the pin was steel because I had to work at it for a half hour, both sided included.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Thanks, gents, for the posts.

David, the pin is brass, so that sounds like the way to go.

Thanks again,

Andrew

Another idea: I've sometimes used a 'pink' emery board, as normally used for fingernails, for little tasks like these. The pink ones are AlOx abrasive, over a foam 'core' that's roughly 1/8" thick; double-sided, with sort of a 'medium grit' on one side and a finer grit on the other. I've found them at Walmart. Depending on the task, the foam core might be a little soft; but for something like a brass pin, it might also work. I've even sharpened one of my paring knives on these, and it worked pretty well (including a similar 'black' emery board, which I believe is either AlOx or maybe SiC; it's coarser than the pink one).

(Edit: Posted this, having not yet seen crom's similar post above^^; looks like I'm not alone. )


David