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Comment by Dewey treat on June 9, 2019 at 18:01

Hello all.  I'm a new member here on the IKC forum.   Over the years, I've tried to re-haft a few knives with questionable success.  Some O.K., some are hidden so no one will ever see them!

I live in Idaho and I have quite a bit of elk antler (could be made into some wild looking "stag") as well as some very wild grained wood (fiddleback maple, purpleheart, redwood burl and apple wood, beech and walnut burl.  If any of you would like a few pieces, PM me and we'll talk.

Comment by Dewey treat on June 9, 2019 at 17:53

I looked very carefully and I can see the rough areas on the tang where it rides on the spring.  It's rough.  I tried a small machinist's file and was able to improve it about 50% but.... meh.  It's not galled as such, but rather poor manufacturing.  On another one, I think it's the spring itself that's "not smooth."  On the ones that feel "gritty," it's in the friction area of the bolster and tang.  Gunk left from assembly I suspect as the knife was new.   It's a curse to be so OC about things like that but that's what separates us from the rest of the crowd I suppose.

Just curious.... have any of you ever tried STP as a knife lubricant in the tang-bolster area?  I haven't but wondered about it.

Thanks for your reply.

In Memoriam Comment by D ale on June 9, 2019 at 15:22

Another pic of metal galling.

Galling often happens when there exists force (lots of it) applied to 2 frictional surfaces. e.g. opening a blade riding on strong springs. Especially in the absence of a lubricant.

In Memoriam Comment by D ale on June 9, 2019 at 15:15

Dewey .. Thanks for joining the Repair & Mod group !
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gritty feeling in the joints .. after thorough cleaning

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Observe the joint end of the blade .. where the spring rides over. If the joints have not been oiled regularly .. galling of the metal may have occurred. It should be observable with a loupe. 

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If that's the case ... I'm sorry !

Re: nail breaker. There's no "practical" method short of dis-assembly to fix really strong springs that I'm aware of. 

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just an opinion .. mine

In Memoriam Comment by D ale on June 9, 2019 at 15:11

Comment by Dewey treat on June 9, 2019 at 13:52

Can anyone share their method of helping rid a knife of the "gritty" feeling when opening and closing the blades?  I've tried scalding hot water, Dawn dishwashing soap and a toothbrush and sometimes it will work, but other times.... meh!

Also, is there any PRACTICAL way of lessening the main spring tension short of disassembling the knife?  I have two knives that are absolute nail breakers!  Other than that, they're primo.

Thanks for any suggestions,
Dewman

In Memoriam Comment by D ale on December 23, 2018 at 11:10

Like Jan & Manx have suggested .. I too would leave the patina.
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Re: the handle scales. I'd suggest roughing up the tang surface for better adhesion w/ epoxy. While epoxy is not absolutely necessary when pinned .. the epoxy also acts as a sealant preventing moisture from getting between the scales & tang.

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Once finished, I'd suggest a light coat of Renaissance Wax (or equivalent) over all.

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!! . Nice Knife . !!

Comment by Steve Scheuerman (Manx) on December 22, 2018 at 19:34

Keep the blade the way it is, maybe a light polish to be rid of rust or any other greeblies, then select a handle material that suits you. When you hand it down, it has something of both of you.

Comment by James L Machie sr on December 22, 2018 at 18:54

I can’t even find one that looks like it so not sure what it had. I’ll find something.

Comment by Jan Carter on December 22, 2018 at 18:22

I am with Manx, I would leave the patina and I would go with a wooden handle, something that would have been available back then and widely used in the area he was from.  It is a beautiful old knife and your honoring him by putting it back in shape is awesome!

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