Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Derek Wells on October 29, 2016 at 16:34

Bryan, unusual knife It looks like the blade pivot pin doesn't have much to "hold on to" in the sheet metal either side.

Without seeing detailed pics of your knife - in its current condition - its very difficult to offer an opinion. But I will try anyway ... My guess is the pivot pin now loose in the sheet metal. If it were mine I would knock the pin out with a punch (you made need to carefully drill it) replace the pin with a slightly longer pin and peen down, alternating either side til it gets a good hold on the sheet metal - slip a feeler gauge or razor blade between the blade and the sheet metal before you start peening so it doesn't become too tight. Then you will need to file down any 'dome' that is proud of the sheet metal on both sides so it can still fold back into the handle.

What Is the function of this arrowed in the pic below ....

Is it a thumb stud to help open the knife or some sort of locking device ???

 

Permalink Reply by Bryan OShaughnessy on October 29, 2016 at 19:19

Derek Wells said:

Bryan, unusual knife It looks like the blade pivot pin doesn't have much to "hold on to" in the sheet metal either side.

Without seeing detailed pics of your knife - in its current condition - its very difficult to offer an opinion. But I will try anyway ... My guess is the pivot pin now loose in the sheet metal. If it were mine I would knock the pin out with a punch (you made need to carefully drill it) replace the pin with a slightly longer pin and peen down, alternating either side til it gets a good hold on the sheet metal - slip a feeler gauge or razor blade between the blade and the sheet metal before you start peening so it doesn't become too tight. Then you will need to file down any 'dome' that is proud of the sheet metal on both sides so it can still fold back into the handle.

What Is the function of this arrowed in the pic below ....

Is it a thumb stud to help open the knife or some sort of locking device ???

 

Permalink Reply by Bryan OShaughnessy on October 29, 2016 at 19:29

Derek:

You are correct, the thumb-stud is merely a grip to pull the blade/middle-piece away from the outer shell.  The pin that holds the blade to its connection actually passes through a U-shaped rigid spine that is tucked up inside the middle-piece.  I placed the knife in a vise to squeeze the spine tighter around the blade, but that accomplished nothing.  I think you're right, though; I'd probably have to un-pin the blade and re-pin it on a larger pin, leaving enough to peen-over outside of the blade/shell.  This all seems like it will destroy what looks nice as it is.  I'll probably leave it alone, and take the lesson to appreciate how a knife looks and operates, and not try to arbitrarily improve things. 

Permalink Reply by Derek Wells on October 29, 2016 at 22:43

I don't think you did anything particularly wrong Bryan - in fact what you did should have worked - it's more like the flimsy design of the knife is to blame. I find with jobs like this you need to be in the mood (right frame of mind) one day it might hit you and Bingo the knife gets fixed! Lets face it the knife is next to no good with the blade flopping about in the breeze. 

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on October 30, 2016 at 9:39

My guess is that even with a new pin, it would still be loose. Without a spring to assist in holding the blade, the geometry of the design doesn't give ample support to the blade.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on October 30, 2016 at 9:54

Bryan

I'm definitely with Derek on this one.

Set the knife down & walk away for a while.

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Were it were an actual (early~mid 1900's) Marble's fish knife .. I'd seriously leave it "as-is".

You've identified it as a more recent knock-off. SOooo .. just walk away for a bit.

Get your mind on something else .. your sub-conscious will keep working on it.

Eventually .. the light bulb will go on.

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It kinda sounds like the pin is not the same size as the pin hole .. it's under size .. either from wear or poor manufacturing.

As Derek has already pointed out .. pin replacement is probably in the knife's future. At that time .. make sure it's a proper "slip fit" size. Then pin as Derek has suggested.

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A pic of your current knife would be most helpful.

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Enjoy

D ale