Tightening mini pocket knife without screws

[David Austin]

Hi All,
Very new here and appreciate any help. I'm trying to figure out how to tighten the hinge on this mini Samurai pocket knife, but I cannot find anything to turn. Any ideas?

Thank you,
David

 

[timberweasel]

Peened pivot pin. You can put it in a vise and *carefully* compress until you achieve the desired tension. Go slow.

 

[David Austin]

Thanks a lot! I also read you can hammer it with a ball peen hammer (which I surprisingly have). I tried giving it a few taps and absolutely no movement. The knife appears to be very loose. Unfortunately, I do not have a vice.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Thanks a lot! I also read you can hammer it with a ball peen hammer (which I surprisingly have). I tried giving it a few taps and absolutely no movement. The knife appears to be very loose. Unfortunately, I do not have a vice.

Do you have a sledge hammer of any kind ?
If so you can use it as a makeshift anvil as long as you can find a way to stand it up.

Set this higonokami knife on your makeshift anvil surface and carefully tap the pivot with a hammer checking your progress till it tightens up to your liking.
Remember that it's easier to tighten it more than loosen it again.

 

[timberweasel]

No prob, David. You can use a hammer, the point is to add compression to the pin, but it's a fine line between too much and not enough force. If you opt to proceed by hammer, go slow. It can be done!

Good luck!

-Brett

 

[David Austin]

That's the only hammer I have. I tried hammering it on a bamboo cutting board. I imagine I need a harder, metallic surface.

 

[eveled]

Go find a railroad track to use as an anvil. Watch for trains. Lol

 

[David Austin]

Up until now I thought anvils were only for dropping on road runners. Just purchased one. Thanks a lot all!

 

[SVTFreak]

That's the only hammer I have. I tried hammering it on a bamboo cutting board. I imagine I need a harder, metallic surface.

yes, wood aint gonna work. You did right buying an anvil. But a vise woulda been a wise choice too. They usually have an anvil area that would have worked for you and it serves wider purpose. Either way, go slow!

 

[AntDog]

OP, You took it seriously!

I was going to recommend a large C clamp, but since you’ve already got the anvil coming, go ahead and give that a shot first.

It’ll work, just go slow so you don’t overdo it. Give it a few taps, test the action, repeat until it’s how you want it.

 

[David Austin]

I picked up an 8 inch clamp as well. Seems like something that I should have around anyway.

 

[eveled]

I agree a vise would have been better if you have a bench to bolt it too. But the anvil comes in handy a lot. Even if just a weight for glueing or ballast. Let us know how you make out.

 

[David Austin]

I sadly don't have room for a bench (I'm in a pretty small apartment). Hopefully the clamp will do.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Vises aren't used for tightening peened pins.
They should be further peened with a small hammer and very light taps.

 

[David Austin]

Problem solved-thank you all! I first tried with the clamp but had trouble keeping the knife steady in its grip so I quickly moved to my steel block (anvil). At first, I didn't think it was doing anything but after about 70 medium-hard taps the knife is tight (a little too tight but I'm not worried ).