OH Yeah, Lots Of NO ... be careful trying to crink a badly off center blade

[TheFactor]

HA !!! ... it crossed my mind
There is no fix ... and there is no cake ... mallet seems to be okay
BONUS: I now know what the inside of a pocket knife blade looks like D'OH

I hope I never find out
I did the same years ago can’t even remember the knife but I vividly remember the feeling of we’re is the breaking point lol. I think the type of blade steel will definitely determine we’re that breaking point is and of course the heat treatment and possibly age of the knife. So many variables for sure.Mine didn’t snap but didn’t correct the centering either. You also have to worry about creating side to side blade play with that method even if your pinching the booster and then risk of damaging the bolsters. Unless your a knife maker/craftsman which I am not lol.

 

[BrotherJim]

I hope I never find out
I did the same years ago can’t even remember the knife but I vividly remember the feeling of we’re is the breaking point lol. I think the type of blade steel will definitely determine we’re that breaking point is and of course the heat treatment and possibly age of the knife. So many variables for sure.Mine didn’t snap but didn’t correct the centering either. You also have to worry about creating side to side blade play with that method even if your pinching the booster and then risk of damaging the bolsters. Unless your a knife maker/craftsman which I am not lol.

Good point about creating blade play. The possibility of that is reduced if you don't fully open the blade while trying to straighten. Rather, only open the blade to a 90 degree angle to the handle before lightly tweaking the blade with a mallet. Not sure why it makes such a big difference. Perhaps Sir Issac Newton could explain it best LOL ... and maybe don't put the blade in a vice and "throttle" the handle.

Even if the blade is successfully centered, a couple of considerations come to mind. One, the blade is likely now bent, even if slightly. Two, there's a good likelihood of micro-fractures in the steel even if the blade didn't shatter. There really is no win.

 

[TheFactor]

Good point about creating blade play. The possibility of that is reduced if you don't fully open the blade while trying to straighten. Rather, only open the blade to a 90 degree angle to the handle before lightly tweaking the blade with a mallet. Not sure why it makes such a big difference. Perhaps Sir Issac Newton could explain it best LOL ... and maybe don't put the blade in a vice and "throttle" the handle.

Even if the blade is successfully centered, a couple of considerations come to mind. One, the blade is likely now bent, even if slightly. Two, there's a good likely hood of micro-fractures in the steel even if the blade didn't shatter. There really is no win.

Those are all very good points
Didn’t even think of weakening the blade even though it’s not visible. That’s a great idea with the 9o degree angle when tweaking it or maybe not
I think there is some luck involved to. I try not to let a non centered blade bother me. Sometimes I’m successful and sometimes not lol I guess it depends how bad it’s off. Blade rub on a single blade I can not tolerate though no matter how much I try. Multiple blades not as much because there’s almost always a way of eliminating blade rub or minimize it by the sequence you open the blades and or trying to pull straight up and not to one side or the other unless it helps the cause of not rubbing)

 

[EngrSorenson]

My indiscretion wasn't discussed. I had to bite the bullet
After all, it wasn't in any way shape form or fashion their fault I chose to "beat" on the blade
Would be considered abuse in most quarters I think

Although I consider the Oak Wine Barrel angle, somewhat of a "premium novelty", I do like the pattern and size enough to replace
... apparently at all costs

You’re a good guy; I once observed an acquaintance return his old TV in the box that his new TV came in… under the guise of it being the new TV. Consumer honesty should be lauded.

Guess maybe I could post a couple of pictures in different lighting of the knife before destruction
Handle looks pretty rugged and I guess it was, but also much smoother in the hand than it might appear in pictures ...

Previously unfamiliar with this brand, it certainly appeals to me. It has that distinctly “old world” look that I can’t quite peg. How is the steel? I’m tempted!

also, it’s an interesting business about the breakage. The crack has to propagate from somewhere, whether it be an internal void or stress concentrations at the stamp site. Either way I can pretty much guarantee hammering on it (read: gently coaxing) probably was destined to end in disaster.

I’m thrilled you’re getting a replacement though… that’s a looker of a knife.

 

[Will Power]

This kind of thing puts the frighteners on me

Very glad you are able to get another one, going to hammer that one too ? They do look very decent knives mind.

I must say, I saw somebody post a video here the other week showcasing this 'technique' and I was very dubious abut it. Even with taping the knife, an accurate whack and being patient it looked like a very risky approach....like TheFactor I immediately thought blade play was a likely by-product of this literal hit & miss method...didn't think blade fracture could result though!

 

[BrotherJim]

You’re a good guy; I once observed an acquaintance return his old TV in the box that his new TV came in… under the guise of it being the new TV. Consumer honesty should be lauded.

Previously unfamiliar with this brand, it certainly appeals to me. It has that distinctly “old world” look that I can’t quite peg. How is the steel? I’m tempted!

also, it’s an interesting business about the breakage. The crack has to propagate from somewhere, whether it be an internal void or stress concentrations at the stamp site. Either way I can pretty much guarantee hammering on it (read: gently coaxing) probably was destined to end in disaster.

I’m thrilled you’re getting a replacement though… that’s a looker of a knife.

Thank you for commenting !!!

With steels, it’s complicated and it's easy to misinform people. What works best for one person or situation may not be ideal for another.

Nontron is now owned by Forge de Laguiole and the T12 steel used in my Oak Wine Barrel Nontron is produced by Forge de Laguiole. T12 is a modern utility knife steel. A steel developed by Forge de Laguiole together with the French steel maker Bonpertuis. It's a proprietary steel and little information is available ... but T12 is a stainless steel probably similar to 12C27 ... A Scandinavian steel, which, due to its purity, can be heated well and made harder than say, 440A.

I have a couple of other Nontron knives in T12 as well as several French Laguiole knives in both T12 and 12C27. I find the steels to be similar. And I think based on my experience with T12, the heat treatment is indeed pretty hard and perhaps even a bit brittle. That said, I can bring T12 to shaving sharpness easily enough, edge retention is good, and with sufficient corrosion resistance. At the end of the day, T12 in my opinion is just a quite good utility knife steel.

In addition to T12, you will find some carbon steel XC75 and Damascus steel blades are used in Nontron knives.

Nontron knife ownership as a French regional product is seen as a mark of passage from boyhood to manhood. On an international level, I somewhat view Nontron products as suitable for collectors looking for diversity in their collection. Don't expect to find GEC level F/F here. These knives are a bit more "primitive" and with indeed, an "Old World" feel. Good steel, unique history and heritage, highly functional and easily carried, all appeal to me.

 

[BrotherJim]

This kind of thing puts the frighteners on me

Very glad you are able to get another one, going to hammer that one too ? They do look very decent knives mind.

I must say, I saw somebody post a video here the other week showcasing this 'technique' and I was very dubious abut it. Even with taping the knife, an accurate whack and being patient it looked like a very risky approach....like TheFactor I immediately thought blade play was a likely by-product of this literal hit & miss method...didn't think blade fracture could result though!

Hey Will !!! Good to see you sir. Hadn't seen you around for a few weeks and was beginning to wonder. Hope all is well.
NOPE ... not going to hammer on the next one LOL. Hope it's better centered than this one though.
I too had seen posts about centering and simply wished to post my perhaps not so unique experience with pocket knife "fine tuning".
The procedure seems to have worked well for me at times past but all that changed recently in one "WHACK" ... D'OH !!!

 

[Will Power]

I admire your skill & nerve Jim I'm OK thanks, just been having a ' holiday ' from the Forum, when you've been on it as long as I have you gotta guard against becoming some boring fixture And have to make room for newer and fresher voices from time to time.

Thanks, Will

 

[BrotherJim]

I admire your skill & nerve Jim I'm OK thanks, just been having a ' holiday ' from the Forum, when you've been on it as long as I have you gotta guard against becoming some boring fixture And have to make room for newer and fresher voices from time to time.

Thanks, Will

Well it's dang good to see ya Will. Your comments, insight and opinions are ALWAYS appreciated. I do understand the need to step back from time to time. Just don't walk away, you !!!

 

[JohnDF]

I'm always super careful about breaking blades.
When I was 13 years old, my family took a trip to Europe. My whole goal on that trip was to buy a Swiss Army Knife while we were in Switzerland. I brought home one of the models that had EVERYTHING in it; saw, magnifying glass, scissors, the works. A week later my brother "borrowed it" and broke the blade clean off while carving hid initials into a picnic bench. I was heart broken and since that day I've had nightmares about snapping blades off of my knives and I'm super careful about it... so I feel your pain.

 

[EngrSorenson]

I'm always super careful about breaking blades.
When I was 13 years old, my family took a trip to Europe. My whole goal on that trip was to buy a Swiss Army Knife while we were in Switzerland. I brought home one of the models that had EVERYTHING in it; saw, magnifying glass, scissors, the works. A week later my brother "borrowed it" and broke the blade clean off while carving hid initials into a picnic bench. I was heart broken and since that day I've had nightmares about snapping blades off of my knives and I'm super careful about it... so I feel your pain.

… brothers, man… I tell ya…

 

[BrotherJim]

And speaking of Europe, that's where my replacement Nontron Knife still is today.
Paris ... ROISSY CHARLES DE GAULLE CEDEX ... delivery date still pending

I'm always super careful about breaking blades.
When I was 13 years old, my family took a trip to Europe. My whole goal on that trip was to buy a Swiss Army Knife while we were in Switzerland. I brought home one of the models that had EVERYTHING in it; saw, magnifying glass, scissors, the works. A week later my brother "borrowed it" and broke the blade clean off while carving hid initials into a picnic bench. I was heart broken and since that day I've had nightmares about snapping blades off of my knives and I'm super careful about it... so I feel your pain.

One of the first knives I ever owned was a SAK with "everything" and belt sheath my grandparents gave me one Christmas. No idea what happened to that knife.
Few things I know now as treasures, made it out of my childhood.
Grandparents also gave me a boy's size two blade traditional slipjoint when I was 8 or 9. Think my little brother still has his. Mine is long long LONG gone.

I always admired my grandfather's knives. He passed away in '68 and I didn't get a one of them unfortunately,
I probably would have lost, traded or destroyed it anyway, and it just been something else to have regrets over I suppose.
But I often find myself when looking at knives, asking myself, "Is this a knife Pop would have carried?"
Sometimes the answer is yes and sometimes the answer is, I don't think so ... but I get it anyway

 

[Zimeni]

not the matter of knife handle rugged or smoother but I think knives metal or handle doesn't match. It's not so looking pretty. If the handle is full black or wood color that's looking so good and beautiful.

 

[screened porch]

I'm not sure modern tangs are drawn softer than blades. I suspect the crinking is done pre-heat treat nowadays.