What to do about a rivet/pin sticking out of the handle?

[holymolar]

I just got a new Schrade Old Timer knife for sentimental reasons. My late father used to carry one but I don't know what ever happened to it.

The center rivet/pin sticks out of the handle and bothers me. The other two rivets on the ends have been filed down to the handle but the center one sticks out on both sides. Apparently this is just the way this knife is made. Also it isn't worth returning since it was only $18 on ebay.

Has anyone addressed this issue? If I filed the rivet heads down, would that cause the handles to loosen?
I'll probably scratch the handles if I try to file the rivet heads down, but oh well. Any suggestions or should I just leave it as is?

Here are some photos:

Here's a closeup of one of the end rivets that is flat against the handle - this is how I would like the center rivet.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

The center pin is the one supporting & anchoring the backspring, and the pins at either end of the scales are only holding the delrin covers to the brass scales. There's a lot more stress on the center pin (exerted when opening/closing the blade), so I'd hesitate to file it down too much. Don't think I'd file it flush to the scale, because that might diminish it's ability to support & anchor the backspring, without moving or pulling out. The stress exerted by the spring might tend to try to pull the ends of the pin into/through the handle scales, and the larger heads on the pin are what keep that from happening.

Some of the excess 'hump' in the heads might be lightly rounded off without a problem, but I'd be careful about taking off too much.

 

[pwet]

more simply, the center pin is not gound flush because the scales are textured here. grinding it flush without touching the scales and altering the texture will be a challenge. you can reduce it a good bit without touching the scales though.

 

[holymolar]

Thanks guys for the suggestions.

I couldn't stand that pin sticking out, so I went ahead and filed it down on both sides almost flush with the handles. I think it turned out OK. If the pin gets loose, I'll just get another one of these knives (because it's inexpensive) and file the pins less.

 

[hepclass]

Nice job.

 

[jacksterp]

If you are interested, with a little patience you can find Old Timers made in the U.S. on thee infamous auction site. Many are new-old stock.

I found two relatively easily - an 34OT and a 12OT. I think they are worth the extra money.

By the way, you did a good job filing the pin.