New life for old Imperial

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sh00ter01

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So I have had this old Imperial Barlow sitting around for a few years now. It had been drop by the previous owner in his yard and then found about a year later and given to me. Slip joints aren't usually my thing but, I decided to give this rusted old thing new life. Started by fully disassembling it and cleaning off the rust.*

photo.jpg


I think it looks pretty good so far (sorry for the crappy pic). Still got some more work before it starts to go back together.

Couple question for some of you guys that have done this before:*
What the best pin material? The ones I drilled out seem pretty soft, what should I put back in?
And as far as the handles are concern, should I just clean up what's there, or make some custom scales? And if I make custom scales, what's the best way to attach said scales?

I've also thought about removing the second small blade when putting her back together, as I usually never us it, what do ya thing?

-sh00ter

Edit: This entire image upload and post was done on an Ipod, so hopefully this works
 
Shooter, those old Imperials are shell handled knives, kind of difficult to make them into a traditionally handled model since you'd have to make new bolsters (unless you want to make it into a bolsterless shadow pattern). The scales have those tabs in them too that the covers clip over, which would be difficult to cover up. Posssibly you could find an older Schrade or Ulster solid barlow for a rebuild, it may be a bit easier, and those blades might just fit as well. Pins are generally nickel silver.

Eric
 
Hi,

I rescaled a small Colonial Jack a couple years ago. While I didn't do a total disassembly you have, the basic construction is the same.

I used Whitetail antler that I had for the scales. Since the rivets are under the hollow shell, I just epoxied the new scales to the frame. I just had to relieve for the rivet heads. I did decide that I wanted the bolstered look. So I trimmed the ends off the old scales and used a 2 part liquid metal epoxy to attach the faux bolsters.

This is just what I did. And it has held up really well. Causing me no problems.
100_0190.jpg


Dale
 
Well for reference here is what it should look like

2011-04-18101354.jpg


I still have this one and can take more pics if you choose to take it back to stock form.


-Xander
 
Could those tabs be flattened with a hammer? I have a Kamp King apart and that is
what I'm thinking about doing.
 
I've never had a knife with clip-on scales apart before, but I seem to remember a thread in "Maintenance, Tinkering and Embellishment" a while back where Bill DeShivs helped someone with a similar knife. You may want to look for hints there, or cross-post it to that sub-forum.

I took my only Barlow apart and made it a single blade and really prefer it that way.

You can use a common nail to re-pin it. If you don't have a nail that fits perfectly, get one that is slightly larger, then chuck it into a drill, or drill press, and use a file to take it down to the correct diameter, checking every now and then to make sure not to get it too thin. I've also used brass pins, but they would be softer than nails, and may not be a look you desire.

Here is the link to the thread I mentioned: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/818189-Old-Folder-Needs-HELP!!!!-Project-Completed.
 
Last edited:
dalee100 said:
Hi,

I rescaled a small Colonial Jack a couple years ago. While I didn't do a total disassembly you have, the basic construction is the same.

I used Whitetail antler that I had for the scales. Since the rivets are under the hollow shell, I just epoxied the new scales to the frame. I just had to relieve for the rivet heads...

Dale
Click to expand...

This is what i was considering doing, though once together, there would be no going back with the epoxy.

trey999 said:
Could those tabs be flattened with a hammer? I have a Kamp King apart and that is
what I'm thinking about doing.
Click to expand...

Or ground off carefully. Hammering might distort the liners and then you’d never get'em straight.

Steve_Holt said:
I've never had a knife with clip-on scales apart before, but I seem to remember a thread in "Maintenance, Tinkering and Embellishment" a while back where Bill DeShivs helped someone with a similar knife. You may want to look for hints there, or cross-post it to that sub-forum.

I took my only Barlow apart and made it a single blade and really prefer it that way.

You can use a common nail to re-pin it. If you don't have a nail that fits perfectly, get one that is slightly larger, then chuck it into a drill, or drill press, and use a file to take it down to the correct diameter, checking every now and then to make sure not to get it too thin. I've also used brass pins, but they would be softer than nails, and may not be a look you desire.

Here is the link to the thread I mentioned: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/818189-Old-Folder-Needs-HELP!!!!-Project-Completed.
Click to expand...

Thanks a bunch for the link, lots of good info in there.

I’ll have to check through my bins of assorted nails to find something that’ll work.

The pivot hole on the blade seem to be slightly larger then on the liners, is this normal?
Should I just find a nail that’s tight in the liners, or open them up slightly to match the blade pivot?

Thanks guys:thumbup:

-sh00ter
 
Yeah, shooter, I didn't think about distorting the liners. I already beat on mine. Not a big deal as the knife was cheap.
I'll have to check them out later tonight.
 
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