Knife Repair - Need info

T

TedGamble

Joined
Mar 25, 2005
Messages
431
I just picked up vintage 8OT. The blade is slightly pitted (which I can improve). The knife had a great walk and talk. The only problem is the clip blade is a little loose (side to side wiggle) - not much, but just enough that I'd like it fixed.

Is this something that I (handy with tools and do most of my motorcycle maintenance) can do without risk of damaging anything? Or, should I send it off for repair (maybe to Colonial)? or Should I just live with it? Of, if any of you folks can fix it, give me a shout?
 
Now I am no expert...

Having said that, what I usually see is that the end where the pivot pins are have separated slightly. I try to press them back together, maybe in a vise or something. If your blades are loose, you can usually make out the pivot pin on the bolsters, because it has probably pulled away from the bolster slightly. Then once pressed back together, I use a punch to try flare the pivot pin slightly to hold the end tightly together.

Now...having said all that, I might be totally wrong in the proper way to handle this. Also, if this is an important piece for you, you might want an expert to fix it for you.

I'm sure the others here might have a better idea.

Good luck.

Glenn
 
TedGamble said:
I just picked up vintage 8OT. The blade is slightly pitted (which I can improve). The knife had a great walk and talk. The only problem is the clip blade is a little loose (side to side wiggle) - not much, but just enough that I'd like it fixed.

Is this something that I (handy with tools and do most of my motorcycle maintenance) can do without risk of damaging anything? Or, should I send it off for repair (maybe to Colonial)? or Should I just live with it? Of, if any of you folks can fix it, give me a shout?
Click to expand...

"The knife had a great walk & talk".......I've seen that expression mentioned before, but only guessing what it means. Please fill me in.
 
Mick,

This is taken from "The Complete Book of Pocketknife Repair" by Ben Kelley Jr.
It's available from KnifeWorld, if interested.......

"That sharp snap that is heard while opening and closing a blade is talk,while the spring tension that causes the blade to spring closed or open is walk."

TedGamble,

Can you see light through the liners/backsprings? Sometimes just tapping the bolsters at the pivot pin will tighten it up a bit. You can cover the bolster with a chamois, or something like that, if you think you may scratch the bolsters.

Bill
 
It does sound like the pin is loose.
If the knife has been opened and closed a lot, it could be worn in that area, and tapping might not do it.... :(
However, I'd say give it a few taps right on the pin to see if it helps....especially if the play bothers you.

If that doesn't work, Colonial has made the offer, which you mentioned.

Good luck,

Bill
 
As far as I know the 8OT may have hollow bolsters and keyhole construction, there may be no visible pin to tap, not a simple thing to fix either.

It can be done and sometimes you can straighten liners and bolsters deformed by prying or hard use, or you can intentionally deform the tip of the liners a little bit by hitting them on the edge, or whatever. It comes down to what the problem is, how good you are with tools, how well you understand how the knife is built, etc..

A keyhole built knife can be disassembled by working down the center pin in the handle carefully. Fixing it, replacing any worn parts (or at least a new handle center pin) and putting it back together is not so simple though.

Luis
 
You are right, I believe, Luis. I should have said "Pin Area" since there probably isn't a visible pin. :o
Thanks for the clarification.
I think this was the reason Buck quit having Schrade make their slipjoints. Because it was difficult to replace blades assembled in this manner with these bolsters. That's why they went to Camillus before beginning their own production. I think it was Joe Houser who told this story, IIRC.

Anyway, tapping the pin area, may or may not work....it is one possibility.

Bill
 
there may be no visible pin to tap
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I don't see anything that even hints of a pin imprint on the bolster :(

It comes down to ... how well you understand how the knife is built
Click to expand...
That's why I asked the question in the first place :confused:

not a simple thing to fix either
Click to expand...
That's what I was afraid of :grumpy:

Anyway, tapping the pin area, may or may not work
Click to expand...
As long as it won't hurt anything, I might as well give it a try
 
El Lobo said:
Mick,

This is taken from "The Complete Book of Pocketknife Repair" by Ben Kelley Jr.
It's available from KnifeWorld, if interested.......

"That sharp snap that is heard while opening and closing a blade is talk,while the spring tension that causes the blade to spring closed or open is walk."

TedGamble,

Can you see light through the liners/backsprings? Sometimes just tapping the bolsters at the pivot pin will tighten it up a bit. You can cover the bolster with a chamois, or something like that, if you think you may scratch the bolsters.

Bill
Click to expand...

El Lobo,
Thank you. I appreciate it.
 
Enclosed the bolsters in soft cloth, tapped each end 4 solid but not severe licks. Nice and tight. Thanks a ton. :D
 
ther is not much you can do, these were not designed to be re-built.
We'll give it look.
Best Regards,
Steve Paolantonio
Colonial Knife
 
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