Need to fix up my Hammer shell handle knife

[Neko2]

Hey there all,

My (4 year old) son decided to get me an old knife for my birthday.
I've never had one like this before and because he thought of it, picked it out and paid for it (with my wife's card) I want to get it looking great and show it off for what it is.

I know that it's a mass produced lower priced knife so I'm not expecting it to become a Case or anything but because it was a gift from my boy it's one of my new favorites.

I know how to treat the rust, clean the pivot etc but I'd like to try and fix up the shell scale that's dented on one side.

I'm not sure if I take the scale off that I'll be able to put it back on or that the tab won't break.

Amy advice wood be appreciated.
My son will be happy to see me fixing it up.

 

[screened porch]

I think it's fine.
If it isn't fine, you can pry off the shells and glue on some wood.
If that isn't good enough you can remove the pin and make bolsters to drive the new pin through, and fit some wood behind that.
I've never tried to pry the shells off and put them back, but I don't know you couldn't.
I might be tempted to leave it as is as a perfect gift from my son.

 

[BTacblades]

I think if you put a serious edge on it with a nice sharpener, it would give it back some great utility and overall look...with a deep edge

 

[Tilley Knife]

I'm not expecting it to become a Case or anything

What a wonderful gift from your boy! I would take that nice old hammer over a Case any day. Sharpen it up and use it for a while. You'll not only have a better idea of what improvements you want to make, but you'll probably develop the same traditional addiction that we suffer from.

 

[afishhunter]

Very nice looking knife. A lot of life/use left in those blades.

I took the scales off an old Imperial Barlow (same clamshell construction) by carefully prying a tab (in my case, the one that was already loose) just enough to lightly pry the scale off.
After cleaning everything under, it went back together fine, both scales are tight now, but still have gaps. I don't know if gaps are ineventable with the clamshell construction, but it would not shock me if they are.

 

[glennbad]

As someone who has played around with the shell handle Imperials a bit, I would probably recommend leaving it as is. I haven't had a lot of good luck trying to get those tin shells back into shape without doing more damage. I do recall someone on one of these forums that actually did a bit of work removing the cell sheets and cleaning things up, but there's a good chance you will crack or tear them in that process.

And especially cause your boy gave it to you, that is reason enough not to mess with it. That's an awesome gift!

Glenn

 

[Neko2]

Well, looks like it's just getting a good cleaning and sharpening and keeping the dent for good luck!:thumbup:

I'm still pretty proud of the little guy for thinking of it and picking it out.
Thanks for all the suggestions everyone.

 

[5K Qs]

Well, looks like it's just getting a good cleaning and sharpening and keeping the dent for good luck!:thumbup:

I'm still pretty proud of the little guy for thinking of it and picking it out.
Thanks for all the suggestions everyone.

Sounds like a good decision to me, Neko; considering the source, you can treasure that knife forever! :thumbup::thumbup:
Where did a 4-year-old find such a nice old specimen??

- GT

 

[Neko2]

Sounds like a good decision to me, Neko; considering the source, you can treasure that knife forever! :thumbup::thumbup:
Where did a 4-year-old find such a nice old specimen??

- GT

My wife took him to the local antique store and I guess there were quite a few nice ones there.
My wife tried to convince him to go for a silver watch pocket knife but it seems he has taste similar to mine