Restoration, repair, or mod, seeking imput

[Hickory n steel]

First a bit of backstory
Around 2005 my first real knife was a carbon steel schrade 34OT stockman which came from Walmart, and I loved it. eventually I learned a few things about knives and realized that it is and always has been defective and retired it, the sheep's foot blade is extremely limp , it's crinked, and it sat very proud so at one point I ground down the kick a bit too much , also the clip main has a bit of play.

Now for the mod / repair idea.

I was thinking that since the sheep's foot it basically unuseable now I might try and turn it into a single blade jack ( clip main has seen very little use, and I don't think I could easily incorporate the spay back Into it )
I've watched a video on modding a broken or defective swinden key Shcrade to use brass through pins and am confident in my ability to make it work ( as long as I get the holes right it would just be IP to trial and error, wasting some brass rod at the very most ), but what do you guys think about this idea ?

 

[Will Power]

It's an excellent idea if you have the desire and the skill to carry it off. The Swinden key construction is supposed to be complex, but if you can circumvent this with your own mod then should be OK.

We await the W.I.P. slideshow :thumbup:

 

[Buzzbait]

I'm really not sure that a Swinden Key knife is worth the effort of repair, unless you plan to drill a hole through the bolsters, and assemble the knife with a true pivot pin.

 

[Bartleby]

I always calculate repairs based on the cost in time based on minimum wage vs the value of the knife when done. If it is a sentimental issue, give it a shot. If not, it is a lot effort getting it right.

 

[Hickory n steel]

The way I figured it all I really need to do is drill 4 holes and peen 3 pins.
If I use a 7 thousandths shim in the blade I shouldn't have any blade play, and if I get the holes centered properly I'm pretty sure I could do it in under an hour.

When I'm done the pins will still be visible and nothing will be polished up, but it'll be a user so it doesn't matter.

 

[HeathH]

Go for it sir,

I got a 330T middleman that had some awful fit and finish issues which I re-built into a single blade using Micarta. I've done a couple of other old Schrades too, re-using the existing handles but no pictures... Shaping the Micarta was pretty easy and gives the knife a great feel, but there's something to be said for the classic OT look without the swinden key construction. If you're looking to replace the Delrin, drilling the head off the center pin will make the knife just fall apart in your hands.

Not sure what the OD is on the rod you'll need - I use 3/32" but it's a bit too big but that's what I have, so I chuck it into my drill press and reduce the diameter with sandpaper until the blades and springs slide on without a lot of resistance.

Done this way, it weighs about 1/2 an ounce, and has held up way, way better than I thought it would. I've done some hard cutting and tried to induce play by putting lateral pressure on the blade. No play, and I was worried about breaking the blades, so good to go there

 

[Hickory n steel]

Go for it sir,

I got a 330T middleman that had some awful fit and finish issues which I re-built into a single blade using Micarta. I've done a couple of other old Schrades too, re-using the existing handles but no pictures... Shaping the Micarta was pretty easy and gives the knife a great feel, but there's something to be said for the classic OT look without the swinden key construction. If you're looking to replace the Delrin, drilling the head off the center pin will make the knife just fall apart in your hands.

Not sure what the OD is on the rod you'll need - I use 3/32" but it's a bit too big but that's what I have, so I chuck it into my drill press and reduce the diameter with sandpaper until the blades and springs slide on without a lot of resistance.

Done this way, it weighs about 1/2 an ounce, and has held up way, way better than I thought it would. I've done some hard cutting and tried to induce play by putting lateral pressure on the blade. No play, and I was worried about breaking the blades, so good to go there

I've also got a 33OT middleman jack which my dad received as a gift from his dad while in the army back in the mid 80's and it's also defective, but I'm just gonna leave it as is for sentimental reasons.
I definitely plan on keeping this knife OT as it will be the easiest way, and because I like the sawcutt delrin that they use.
I've already got the whole thing apart by simply shearing off the backspring pin with a razor blade, and I've cleaned up the blade and liners with scotchbright ( was gonna leave the patina, but it looked like crap in thus particular instance )
I won't actually be able to compete this project till I can get a brass rod and proper sized drill bit, but I'll make sure to post pictures when I do.

I don't have a drill press, so I'll have to make due with my dremel work station ( turns dremel Into small makeshift drill press )

 

[Ernie1980]

I say go for it! A conversion to a single blade jack was my first mod, pictured below. However, I don't think your time estimate is correct, especially for your first
A drill press is really a necessity, I would find someone that has one you can use or you risk ruining your bolsters with a crooked hole. I just started down the modification road about a year ago- it has proved to be quite addictive! I am FAR FAR FAR from an expert, but I will be happy to share my many mistakes with you so you don't repeat them... If you are interested just let me know and I can email or give you a call:thumbup: