Old Imperial boyscout needs repairs

[Chris Pierce]

Howdy folks
I'm hoping that someone here can help me with a problem that I have. When I was 8 or 9, and in the boyscouts, my dad gave me his old boyscout knife. I used it for a few years and then for a long time it sat in a drawer and I carried one handed knives. Then I recently started carrying a second knife like a swiss army knife or the old Imperial boyscout.
Anyway, over the course of about a year of off-and-on carry my old Imperial has developed some wicked blade play. All of the tools and the main blade wiggle side to side. And they close much easier than they have been in the past. The brass liners have some pretty bad gaps and the back springs are peened(?) where they contact the blade tang.

So what can I do about this? I'm not at all confident that I can do any repairs myself, since I've never worked on a knife with pinned construction before. But if it's something easy I can try it.
Is my knife a lost cause? Or is there a shop or a knife maker who can repair my family heirloom? I'd love to be able to use this knife until my boy, who is 3 at the moment) is old enough for it.

Any advice would be great.
Thanks
-Chris

 

[Rupestris]

For what it's worth, this is what I'd do.

1, Put dad's knife up just the way it is.
2, Find and buy two more Imperial Boyscout knives. One as close to new condition as you can find.
3, Use one of them to build some memories with your son.
4, When he is older, turn over all three to him so he can use the one in newer condition to make his own memories and maybe pass them on to his son.

I have my Grandfathers knife and my dad's knife. My son will be getting both of them and my near and dear favorites one day (along with the rest of my knives).

The memories still work, even if the knife doesn't.

 

[Vanguard41xx]

For what it's worth, this is what I'd do.

1, Put dad's knife up just the way it is.
2, Find and buy two more Imperial Boyscout knives. One as close to new condition as you can find.
3, Use one of them to build some memories with your son.
4, When he is older, turn over all three to him so he can use the one in newer condition to make his own memories and maybe pass them on to his son.


I have my Grandfathers knife and my dad's knife. My son will be getting both of them and my near and dear favorites one day (along with the rest of my knives).

The memories still work, even if the knife doesn't.

I fully agree with this. Many auction sites have those Kamp King by the hundreds. Do your self a favor, and buy one. :thumbup:

 

[Chris Pierce]

Maybe I should just keep it in a box with the other knives I've been given. But I really like carrying it and using it. It allows me to reminisce everyday. What do you all think it might cost to repair?

 

[Bill DeShivs]

It would cost a lot more than the replacement value.
The above advice is good. Buy another one, and put that one away.
If you have to have it fixed, contact me.