Match Striker Nail Pull

KnifeHead

KnifeHead

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Apr 5, 2006
Messages
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If you get Knife World you saw the Grandad's Knife article on the front page with the picture of the old Ka-Bar Stockman. That got me talking with Tony Bose about the match striker nail pulls you used to see on the old slip joints. He brought out some of his collection of old knives and blades and I measured the lines per inch of the notches in the pull.

As it turns out, they are either about 20 and 30 lines per inch, just like a checkering file. I ordered a 20 LPI checkering file and I'm going to try my hand at making a hot punch to make match striker pulls.

Anyone know of another way to do this?

Here is an example of a knife with the kind of pull I am talking about.
Alamomoose.jpg
 
I learn something new each day. I didnt know those were for striking matches. I would cut the groove as usual and use a chase to cut the notches. A good engraver can do anything.
 
Bruce Bump said:
I learn something new each day. I didnt know those were for striking matches. I would cut the groove as usual and use a chase to cut the notches. A good engraver can do anything.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't have known either Bruce if Mr. Bose didn't give me a bit of a history lesson on it. Maybe he can add to this since he has been visiting Bladeforums lately.

About engraving them though...I have never used engraver's chases so can't relate but have a vague idea how that would be done. I know it's hard to tell from the image but these things are pretty deep. Maybe .050" or more so it seems like a pretty daunting task but nothing near the artwork of an intricate engraving. I can see where that might work.
 
I can't see doing it with anything but a graver .Cut the notch with a graver or Dremel cut off wheel ,then cut the match notches with a graver .Not a big deal.
 
ugh i may be wrong here but those may have been intended for the old "strike anywhere matches" modern matches light through a combination of friction on a specialy treated surface. (some type of chem reaction perhaps?) oh well good luck man
 
docdredd said:
ugh i may be wrong here but those may have been intended for the old "strike anywhere matches" modern matches light through a combination of friction on a specialy treated surface. (some type of chem reaction perhaps?) oh well good luck man
Click to expand...

The reason for putting a pull like this on a knife would be nostalgic and not necessarily for starting fires. I'd whip a Bic out for that. :D
 
Match striker pulls were for striking the old strike anywhere kitchen matches. The early ones that were long pulls were much finer than later ones. The finer ones work better. The later ones break the match easy. I think they are cool. When I was a kid, saftey matches were unusual. Guess I'm dating myself.
 
I have an old Craftsman three blade "Golden Eagle" that has the old strike made in it. I think it was made in the mid-seventies. I've been around a while but didn't know what that was until now. Very interesting!!

Ramsey
 
Kerry Hampton said:
The reason for putting a pull like this on a knife would be nostalgic and not necessarily for starting fires. I'd whip a Bic out for that. :D
Click to expand...

haha ok cool man just didnt want to see you do all the hard work only to be disapointed if it didnt work:D
 
Kerrry is on the right track.

The match strikers were done with a punch during the process of making the complete blade blank using a progressive die.

He can make the punch as he describes but it would need to be used in a press with the blade held firmly flat and square. The blade shank would need to be red hot.

It would be easier to do if the slot was done previously.
 
Don Robinson said:
Kerrry is on the right track.

The match strikers were done with a punch during the process of making the complete blade blank using a progressive die.

He can make the punch as he describes but it would need to be used in a press with the blade held firmly flat and square. The blade shank would need to be red hot.

It would be easier to do if the slot was done previously.
Click to expand...

What is a "progressive die"?

The reason I knew that this process used to be done with a punch is because Tony has some old hot punches. In fact Tony used to put nicks in with a punch before he got a mill. It was an unhandy two man process. He has never done a match striker though.

It's good to know if there are other ways to skin the cat. :)
 
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