Recommendation? Restoring an old penknife

[Eldani]

Hi. First off, I'm new here and have no experience with knives or their technical terms so please bear with me! I was out working in a field today, when i came by this old bonehandled penknife, which i thought was sweet! It must have been out in that field for ages and ages, but it is clear that the steel is of a great quality.

It seems to be broken in the metal part as i believe it should be acting as a stop for the blade itself, which can overextend backwards. Also the metal rivet (???) in the bottom has broken.

Is this something which i can replace and repair in some way? What would that entail? I looked around on the forum for the right place to ask this question and this seemed right - Admin can feel free to move it to the right place if need be.

Thanks!

 

[mross]

Looks like you will have to replace the backstrap(the metal part that is broke) If you are handy you can make one, won't be trivial as it will have to be hardened.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

That's a difficult repair for someone with no experience.
It really needs to be professionally done. I can do it, but unfortunately it will be pretty expensive.

 

[000Robert]

If you are wanting to learn how to repair knives then that knife seems like a good candidate for your first one.

 

[Eldani]

Looks like you will have to replace the backstrap(the metal part that is broke) If you are handy you can make one, won't be trivial as it will have to be hardened.

Any idea how i can make a mold/template for it? I might not be experienced, but i might know people who might be able to help

 

[Bill DeShivs]

You'll first have to remove the backspring by removing the center rivet.
The handles are cow horn. You will have to punch the rivet, turn the knife over, and file the raised portion flush.
Then lightly punch the side you just filed, turn the knife over, and file the raised head. Do this alternately until the rivet drives out without damage to the handles.
Then, trace the existing backspring on a piece of the proper thickness high carbon steel- preferably 1095 steel. Extend your tracing to include the missing part.
The missing part should taper slightly, leaving a thicker "pad" for the blade tang to contact.
If you get that far, let us know and I'll tell you how to heat treat the spring.

 

[mross]

Any idea how i can make a mold/template for it? I might not be experienced, but i might know people who might be able to help

You'll first have to remove the backspring by removing the center rivet.
The handles are cow horn. You will have to punch the rivet, turn the knife over, and file the raised portion flush.
Then lightly punch the side you just filed, turn the knife over, and file the raised head. Do this alternately until the rivet drives out without damage to the handles.
Then, trace the existing backspring on a piece of the proper thickness high carbon steel- preferably 1095 steel. Extend your tracing to include the missing part.
The missing part should taper slightly, leaving a thicker "pad" for the blade tang to contact.
If you get that far, let us know and I'll tell you how to heat treat the spring.

Listen to Bill, he does this all the time and is very good at it.

 

[mross]

Any idea how i can make a mold/template for it? I might not be experienced, but i might know people who might be able to help

You'll first have to remove the backspring by removing the center rivet.
The handles are cow horn. You will have to punch the rivet, turn the knife over, and file the raised portion flush.
Then lightly punch the side you just filed, turn the knife over, and file the raised head. Do this alternately until the rivet drives out without damage to the handles.
Then, trace the existing backspring on a piece of the proper thickness high carbon steel- preferably 1095 steel. Extend your tracing to include the missing part.
The missing part should taper slightly, leaving a thicker "pad" for the blade tang to contact.
If you get that far, let us know and I'll tell you how to heat treat the spring.

Listen to Bill, he does this all the time and is very good at it.

 

[Eldani]

You'll first have to remove the backspring by removing the center rivet.
The handles are cow horn. You will have to punch the rivet, turn the knife over, and file the raised portion flush.
Then lightly punch the side you just filed, turn the knife over, and file the raised head. Do this alternately until the rivet drives out without damage to the handles.
Then, trace the existing backspring on a piece of the proper thickness high carbon steel- preferably 1095 steel. Extend your tracing to include the missing part.
The missing part should taper slightly, leaving a thicker "pad" for the blade tang to contact.
If you get that far, let us know and I'll tell you how to heat treat the spring.

So just a push/pull on that rivet, till i get them out? Gotcha.

So just trail and error with the missing part of the backspring? Maybe make a template out of a different low cost material to test it out?


And thanks a lot for the explanation!! I'll sure to keep you in the loop.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Push/file, then pull/file until the head is gone. Then sand the handle smooth after the rivet is removed.
You need the proper steel.