Oh the humanity! Snapped blade.

L

leghog

Joined
Aug 10, 2013
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At the gunshow today, I bought a 1950s/60s vintage 3-layer, 7-blade Wengerinox from the old Sportsman series. Seller wanted $65, but I got it for $35 because the very very tip of the main spearpoint was snapped and the blade tip bent (willing to bet someone at some time opened a can of paint with it).

Had the blade spine at the tip reground at the show. A kindly gent did it for free. Was just hoping there was no micro crack in the blade from whatever stresses previous owners put on the abused blade. Got home and slowly worked the bend in the blade with a small brass hammer and a hardwood block. Ever so slowly the blade tip was straightening. Was almost there. Then SNAP. Broken blade. I knew the risk when I bought it. I gambled wrongly this time.

Now I'm mopey and grumpy. Really wanted that knife. Now I have to sort out what to do with it.

Wengerinox%2520Sportsman%2520Series.jpg
 
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Sorry to hear so, sounds like sheepsfoot/wharnie time. Could still get a very acute point changing it into a coping blade with some belly.
 
That sucks! I had the same experience with a vic solo. There was just a small bend and I almost had it out, when SNAP! I went the sheepsfoot route and it worked out alright. Mine was considerably less valuable and only cost me $1 so your experience is a bit worse.
Good luck, and please post what you decide to do.
Bruce
 
Don't feel bad. I did the exact same thing on an old Schrade 227 I found at a garage sale about a month ago. The main blade was bent pretty bad at the tip and thought I could straighten it. Ping!!! What a terrible sound.
 
next time (there WILL be a next time) apply a little heat. Not enough to affect the temper, maybe 200 - 300 degrees using the f scale, should be enough to let it bend back without breaking.
 
looks like it only needs a little bit of work to make a one-armed man blade.
another alternative would be to find out how the Wenger Factory (now Victorinox Délemont) are with repairs. Victorinox have a good reputation for sensitively restoring treasured old knives. The risk of damaging that nice old cellidor might be too great though.
 
I hear ya. Perhaps a visit to one of our talented fixer upperers for a new blade. The knife still looks great apart from the damage which pre existed your purchase.Try to remain positive.Thats coming from a man who was once nicknamed Mr.Negative by work mates.:D:thumbup:
 
Probably not worth it on that knife, but I bet that SAK would replace the blade if you sent it to them.
 
leghog said:
This knife is a goner for me.
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Bummer about the tip, Bill. I know how it feels to be excited and then not have it turn out how you wanted it to. Then you feel you won't ever be able to carry it w/o thinking about what happened. I say just grind the tip back towards the nail nick, and you'd have a nice blade, only 1/4" shorter. Then pocket it, or sell it (with full disclosure), or do a gaw.
 
leghog said:
This knife is a goner for me.
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I know that feeling, sorry to hear about this mishap. Put it away for a while till the sting is gone, then re-evaluate. Maybe pass it on to someone else, or go the sheepsfoot route.
 
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