Loose blade repair help

R

radiobob

Joined
Dec 17, 2009
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I have on old Kabar stockman, in good shape except the blades on one end are loose and have side play, how can I tighten them up? I'm guessing it'll involve whacking it with a hammer. It's strange because the rivets don't looked pulled, from the outside anyway. Also, is it feasible for me at home to take it apart and put it back together?

Bob
 
Myself, I advise against taking it apart. I doubt it'll go together any better or tighter. I've taken loose slipjoints, put them on a piece of MDF with a dishcloth on top, and GENTLY tap the bolster with a dead-blow mallet. Go a little at a time, both sides,because if you tap too much, it may become too tight. I little looser is better than too tight. Good luck.
 
Thanks, that's what I was thinking but wanted to consult here just in case. What's MDF?
 
radiobob said:
Thanks, that's what I was thinking but wanted to consult here just in case. What's MDF?
Click to expand...

Medium Density Fibreboard, a sheet good, available at lumberyards. If you cannot find a small piece , just use a chunk of 2by4 or a piece of regular plywood; something that has a little "give". Just don't hit it on a very hard surface, and go easy.
 
There could be liner and pin wear, that is the liners are not parallel at the end anymore.
The blade will not have the support needed to keep it from moving side to side excessively.
 
I see what you mean Imleck, in this case the liners have been pulled apart slightly, I can see light between them and the back springs. What bothers me is if I hammer it back together, won't it still be broke? It would be one thing if the rivet I can see on the bolster were pulled in slightly, then I could be sure it was tightened. Is the rivet visible on the bolster the same one that holds the blades? I guess I need to learn some slipjoint construction.
 
Yes, that is the blade pivot pin. (except on some old schrade and imperial knives and others.)
If the rivet is below the level of the bolster surface the frame is pulled apart slightly.
Get a .002 or .001 feeler gauge to slide into the gap when you "hammer" it back together. I usually open the blade when I tighten the pin. Be sure to open and close the blade to check progress.
If only one end of the pin is in and the other side is flush, place the flush end onto a smooth hard surface and Gently tap the other bolster to try and bring the other pin to level with the surface. Remove the feeler gauge and check the progress.
(The feeler gauge will keep you from getting it too tight all at once.)
Gently peen the rivet end again if you feel you should, there is "too much of a good thing" here. If you ding it up a little it can be smoothed and polished again.
This the way I have done it. I am sure there are other methods.
The peened pin, or rivet, does hold the end of the knife together.
 
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