Tightening very loose pivot pin

[kaikaun]

I bought a used Shilin Cutter (Chiu family). It is essentially a slipjoint with pinned construction and phosphor bronze washers in the pivot. It has a lot of side to side blade play. Normally, I'd fix this by squeezing the pivot area in a padded vise, peening the pivot pin, then refinishing the bolster. I've done that before on other knives, more or less successfully.

However, the pivot of this knife is so loose that I can see light through it. There appears to be about a 0.5-1.0 mm gap on one side of the pivot. I don't want to risk damaging such a historic out of production knife by squeezing or hammering the pivot area until that gap disappears. It would take far too much force given how strongly built the handle is.

Is there a way to fix this with shims or some other method? Could I try cutting thin steel shims, putting it between the washer and handle on one or both sides to reduce the size of the gap, then doing the normal routine above?

I'm prepared to just let the knife be and leave it on a display rack, if there's no way to fix it without too much risk of breaking it. But I'd really like to bring the knife back to its original glory (or maybe even better than new!), so I'm open to ideas.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

On Shilin blades, the blade puts so much force on the pivot joint it will wear out the washers as well as loosen the pivot. Peening is the usual remedy.
A few clear photos would help. A photo of the spine at the pivot will tell a lot.
Options range from peening the pivot to replacing it and the washers.

 

[kaikaun]

Thanks very much for your advice! I don't have the skills or tools to re-pin the knife, so washer replacement is out of the question unless I pay an expert (which I'm open to).

I can peen the pivot more. I've already squeezed it in a vice and lightly tapped it with a hammer on both sides. I can feel the pivot pin is now slightly proud of the bolster on one side, but the side to side play is still bad. I've already considered using a large pair of water pump pliers to apply more force. But that is far more force than I've had to use on other knives in my collection I've done this on, so I would appreciate advice on whether this is safe.

Here are some pictures of the knife pivot, as requested. All are in spoilers due to large size.

Spoiler: Knife closed

Spoiler: Knife open

Spoiler: Blade contact with bolster when open

Spoiler: Light through the pivot

If you need different pictures, just ask.

Thanks for helping! This is the sort of great advice that makes this forum special.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Looks like it needs new washers and (of course) a pivot pin.

 

[kaikaun]

Looks like it needs new washers sand (of course) a pivot pin.

Ouch. Definitely not something I can fix myself.

Do you know anyone who does this sort of work? Yourself, perhaps?

 

[Bill DeShivs]

I repair knives, but that one is out of my comfort range. I don't stock washers.
If you can supply the proper washers, I'm sure I can fix it up.

 

[kaikaun]

Huh. I don't know the specs of the washers. I'll try to get the thickness with calipers later.