Is there a way to re-stiffen old folder springs?

[hsherzfeld]

I found an old, Old Timer 34OT knife at an antique store and I'm in the process of sharpening the blades. All of the springs are pretty limp, to the point where I don't feel safe doing anything with it except cuts that push the blade open. Is there a way to restore some stiffness to the springs? Would freezing the knife do anything? Any advice is welcome.

 

[Ernie1980]

Once the spring is gone the only fix is to replace it

 

[mykel m]

The 34 is a great pocket knife, but it sounds like yours is a lost cause I'm afraid.
Replacing, or if feasible, re-tempering the springs would cost more than it is worth.
It can be done.. if you're willing to put more money into it.

 

[ea42]

Providing the tangs and springs aren't worn down, you can bend the springs a bit to gain more flex. This requires taking the knife apart, and there's no guarantee that the springs won't break in the process. It doesn't make a huge difference, but it definitely works more times than not.

Eric

 

[Hickory n steel]

I know of nothing, but my childhood 34OT was limp in the sheep's foot which sat uncomfortably high anyways so I went and made a friction folder using the main blade.

I say this knife is safe to use when used as one would any slipjoint, but if you are worked you can just save it for opening mail.

 

[kamagong]

Knives don't last forever. As this one has no sentimental value, replace it and move on.

 

[sitflyer]

There is no Viagra for old knives with weak spring ;} either use it as is being careful of its weakness, or search for another partner in better health...LOL

 

[glennbad]

You may find that the springs are fine, but the tangs on the blades are so worn down that they are the reason for the weak snap. Regardless, as others have said, this particular knife is not really worth putting any money into to restore. The construction of the knife makes it hard to simply do blade or spring swaps.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I've noticed there seems to be more abrasive wear between the tang & spring on my 8OT (USA w/1095 blades), evidenced by frequent accumulation of black steel 'dust' in the pivot, if it's not kept well-oiled. I'd almost expect a very old, well-worn OT to show a lot of such wear in the pivot, which would definitely hamper the spring's closing pull over time.

 

[hsherzfeld]

You may find that the springs are fine, but the tangs on the blades are so worn down that they are the reason for the weak snap.

I've noticed there seems to be more abrasive wear between the tang & spring on my 8OT (USA w/1095 blades), evidenced by frequent accumulation of black steel 'dust' in the pivot, if it's not kept well-oiled. I'd almost expect a very old, well-worn OT to show a lot of such wear in the pivot, which would definitely hamper the spring's closing pull over time.

On close examination of the springs and blades, I think this might be the problem more so than the spring stiffness. The ends of the springs drop below (meaning farther inside) the surface of the knife spine, both when the blades are fully open and when they are fully closed. It's almost as if there is material missing from the blade tangs, allowing the ends fo the springs to move farther inside the knife handle. I had put this down to poor fit and finish, but the blade pivots definitely show the "black steel dust" that Obsessed with Edges described.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Here's a link to an old thread with some pics of a very worn tang on an electrician pattern folder. Per the OP in that thread, the original question was posted about possible issues with the backspring and how it affected the closed position of the blade. All likely due to the heavy wear on the blade tang.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/adjusting-a-backspring-on-an-old-slip-joint.922369/

 

[hsherzfeld]

Here's the knife in question, by the way. It's kind of interesting in that it has "Cook Drilling Co." printed in yellow on the back side. Clearly it was a corporate gift of some sort, which makes sense given that I found it in Wichita Falls, Texas (oil country).

 

[Hickory n steel]

 

[glennbad]

Here's the knife in question, by the way. It's kind of interesting in that it has "Cook Drilling Co." printed in yellow on the back side. Clearly it was a corporate gift of some sort, which makes sense given that I found it in Wichita Falls, Texas (oil country).
View attachment 1082976
View attachment 1082977

I like that is has a thread cut in one bolster, but not the other!

 

[hsherzfeld]

I like that is has a thread cut in one bolster, but not the other!

Ok, I have to fess up to doing that. I didn't even know what those lines on bolsters were called, but I thought they looked nice on all of the fancy knives I saw on here. I just didn't get around to doing the other bolster.