Modding a snapped Wenger SI blade to sheepsfoot? Smart or dumb idea?

[Mud Shrimp Moe]

Hi. I recently purchased the following lot of knives from the world's largest online auction site.

As you can see, the 1990 Wenger SI has a snapped main blade tip.

My initial plan, when I placed my bid was to send it in for warranty repair. However, after placing the bid, I actually researched Wenger knife warranties, and believe I may be out of luck since they require a sales receipt for repairs. A bit of cursory reading also suggests that Wenger is more strict on defining abuse breakage than Victorinox or Leatherman usually are. I can't be certain how the blade snapped. But you know and I know that most likely somebody tried to use it as a pry bar or screwdriver.

So my best plan for this knife may be to file the main blade down to a sheepsfoot. I believe I can do so and maintain the nail nick just fine. Do you have any suggestions?

Note, my total investment in this lot of knives is $16, so I'm not heartbroken if warranty repair is not an option. I just hope a sheepsfoot main blade doesn't look TOO cheesy. The other two knives are cheapies. The red one is a "Coast" (never heard of the brand) and no brand name is given for the white/cracked-ice slipjoint. I'm not expecting greatness, but perhaps I'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Rich S]

I think it could be reground into a spear point. More work perhaps, but better knife in the long run.

Rich

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I would try and take from the edge side personally instead of the spine side and just reprofile and blend the whole edge to new. That way you aren't losing length, and you can still have a spearpoint, without also losing the nailnick.

 

[znapschatz]

Or, just wait a while. Now that Vic is taking over Wenger's production and marketing, its warranty might apply to the SI.

 

[Mud Shrimp Moe]

I would try and take from the edge side personally instead of the spine side and just reprofile and blend the whole edge to new. That way you aren't losing length, and you can still have a spearpoint, without also losing the nailnick.

I'd have to be careful with that, as I don't want the edge of the blade to appear above the handles when the knife is closed. The main blade on an SI already sticks up a bit, as you can see from this image (not my knife):

And, while your idea is one I'll consider, even my original sheepsfoot idea won't make the blade any shorter than it is already.

When I get the knife in hand, I'm going to use a Sharpie to outline what I intend. That should help me visualize which route I prefer to take in making this blade usable again.

 

[Mud Shrimp Moe]

So I got the knife yesterday and have reshaped be main blade as you see here.

I opted for what I'd call a "bullet" shape instead of a sheepsfoot. When I really looked at the blade, it just seemed more practical, and more likely to preserve the most blade length. It reminds me a bit of the "My First Victorinox" blade shape, except it actually does have a bit of a point on the end. Or another way to put it is it's a bit like a spey blade, but slightly pointier. The work shown below is admittedly rough. I'm going to use the knife a bit before I fully restore the main bevel and sharpen. For now it has a decent "working edge" while I evaluate it.

Oh, and I compared it directly to a Victorinox Farmer blade. There's just over 1/4" missing on this Wenger SI. It's really not a big problem. I think I'll get used to it quickly and that this knife has a lot of service left in it.

Please let me know what you'd suggest.

 

[sector2]

i think that looks quite well i would be happy with the blade shape considering you were modding a broken blade
well done :thumbup:

 

[sector2]

ugh double post

 

[Swoop03]

That looks just fine, you did a great job. I'd probably buy it like that, it'd probably be pretty functional still with that added "belly" at the tip. I had a cheapie chinese classic that I snapped the tip off and I made it into a tanto of sorts. I'll have to see if I still have it now.