Key Hole Construction - 3 questions

[jay9398]

Does someone know approximately when Schrade started using this construction?

If you have a knife that has gone loose, I know that you can bust it apart, put JB Weld (or similar item) in the bolsters and then re-pin it like all the other makers. Is there a better way? Is there someone who can do this for you that you recommend?

I grew up in a small town with a general store. Every time I went in I could dream about a new knife from the Schrade display. Good memories!

Please let me know.

Sincerely
Jay

 

[Codger_64]

Dave Swinden Sr. held the patent on the keyhole construction, #2,977,678 issued April 4th, 1961. Filed in January of 1960, it was in use for some years prior.

http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/patents/002977678.pdf

As for repair and repinning, member Dale (Orvet) is much, much more familiar with this process than I. Hopefully he will pop in and explain it or direct you to a tutorial he did some time ago.

Michael

 

[orvet]

Hi Jay,
I have done many Schrade Swinden conversions.
The process is a bit technical, but not too difficult.

Here is a link to a tutorial I did on taking a knife apart. It explained both Swinden & non-Swinden types.
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/knife_forum/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=5236

Once you get the knife apart it will look something like this 77OT (with a broken blade).

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You then have to cut the Swinden rivet and drill the bolsters (where the Swinden rivet sat at it's highest point).

Insert the correct size nickel silver pin through the bolsters, lining up blades, liners & springs in the proper places. (The bolsters are thick enough that it is not necessary to fill the void for the Swinden rivet head).

Peen the rivets into place using a slackner to allow some room for blade movement.

Compress springs & replace the rocker pin.

Finish out pin heads - peening or spinning in the case of the rocker pin.

File the pins in the bolsters flush with the bolsters.

File, sand & polish out the bolsters.

Or, you can send them to me to repair.
My email is in my signature block below.

Hope this helps,
Dale