Knife Repair, Modification, Restoration & Improvement

This group is hosted by D ale, for knife enthusiasts who are interested in repairing, modifiying, restoring or improving knives, including fixed blades, folders and automatics of all types.

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  • J.J. Smith III

    Took an old Excel #7 Wood Carving knife and mounted it into an antler tine.
    Bucked the usual shape and carve with the tip up. Shape of this tine is super comfortable.  Handle is 5 1/8 " long.

  • Ron Cooper

    nice work, J.J. -- I'll bet that would feel real good in your hand.

    kudos, mate!

  • Jan Carter

    Excellent work JJ, I see that as being easier to use when carving than the standard exacto handle


  • In Memoriam

    D ale

    Nice job, JJ. It turned out SWEET !!!

  • Daniel Howland

    LOOKS GREAT !! J.J. Nice presentation and photo..  -= Yet another use for stag! =- I love working with the stuff. It's giving me ideas! Thanks for sharing your creation!

    Best.

  • Brad T.

    I have a Ka-Bar Stockman with "Birdseye" rivets coming via eBay. The main spring is broken, but the broken piece is coming with it. What are the possibilities of rehabbing this knife? As it stands now, I only have $9.00 invested.


  • In Memoriam

    D ale

    Brad T .. that's a hard one to fix. At the very least .. requires some resources !!!

    I've a KINFOLKS folding hunter that I purchased on the cheap because one of the backsprings was broken. I'm about to rehash that one into a single blade unit .. using existing parts. Am considering implementing the other blade in an auto application. 

    Fabricating a new backspring will (minimally) require machinist skills / mill / etc.

    TIG welding the 2 parts back together ... ???????

    You might keep an eye out for a trashed Ka-Bar Stockman i.e. blades taken to a grinder ..but.. backspring OK .. then combine the 2 into 1.

    Have you contacted Taylor Brands relative to repair / replacement parts ??? I'd be interested in hearing that story !!

  • Brad T.

    D  ale,

    Have you seen my machine shop? Machining a piece shouldn't be a problem, nor is TIG welding as I have 3 full time welders. But this is about fixing it on the cheap, after all I only have $9 invested yet.

    Ivars,

    Gluing is an option, but I like the backspring replacement better. My real issue is the replacement of the "birdseye: rivets, afterwards.


  • In Memoriam

    D ale

    Brad T  ..  I have not. Sounds like your resources are better than average. In which case .....................

    Use the two pcs to generate a pattern & machine a new backspring out of matl that can be hardened to ~ the same as the blade .. a little softer. Harden the new backspring to a little below that of the blade.

    Budget fix .. offer one of your welders a 6-pack ..or.. start looking for that trashed twin.

    A similar issue with Birdseye pins was raised by Jan .. see above and/or link.

  • John M. Myers

    Hello All!  I am new to the forum and would greatly appreciate recommendations on who does knife modifications (re-handle, jimping, file work) at reasonable prices. 

  • john6553

    Hello John,

    Bill DeShivs can do anything you need done to any knife. His website is BillDeShivs.com Tell him John6553 recommended that you get in touch with him.

    I have Bill work on all my knives. 

    Good luck your new friend on iKC forum,

    John

  • John M. Myers

    Thank you very much!

  • Jan Carter

    A rebuild done by T Bose

  • Ron Cooper

    First things first. Ron, you did a great job of peening that pin! I'm looking forward to seeing the final result on your project!

    And, Jan! Tony's rebuild looks great. But, of course, I would expect nothing less than a first rate effort from Mr. Bose. It's always nice to have a couple of donor knives just laying around, too!

    Thanks for sharing, everyone!

  • Lee Smith

    I really need to start looking around more on here. I had no idea this group was here. Glad it is though.


  • In Memoriam

    D ale

    Welcome Max !!

  • Jan Carter

    Hey guys,

    There is a drilling question in here from Pappy.  Can someone help answer it please?  As always, thanks to everyone we get info from in here, it is a great way to share and help!

    http://www.iknifecollector.com/group/kniferepairrestorationupgradeg...


  • In Memoriam

    D ale

    @ Jan .. would you direct me to question please .. I could not find @ the link you provided.


  • In Memoriam

    D ale

    found it .. will answer yet tonight.

  • Jan Carter

    Certainly Dale, thanks

    http://www.iknifecollector.com/group/kniferepairrestorationupgradeg...

    That is sweet !  I am currently working on a Schrade Uncle Henry, folder, that was cast into the garbage after our neighbor had passed on. He used it in the concrete business for years, I am wanting to resotre it using African Blackwood for the handles and Elephant Ivory for the emblem, opposite the side where the original will be, I have a question for Mr. Eduardo; How do I drill out the ends without damaging them? I guess you cal then the bolsters?

    Pappy asked the question


  • In Memoriam

    D ale

    Schrade Uncle Henry knives (many of them anyway) used a unique fastening system @ the ends. i.e. the pivot pin does not go through the bolster .. as is the case with most folders. Instead .. the pivot pins have heads on either end that slide into a groove in the frame & lock in place. 

    If it is the type I'm thinking of .. the center pin in the backsprings should be removed first .. then the sides will slide forward / backward & allow the locking pins to disengage from the frame & the entire knife will dis assemble @ that point.

     Hope that helps 


  • In Memoriam

    D ale

    If one still wishes to drill through holes in the bolsters .. I suggest careful measurement in locating the hole .. cntr punch the location .. clamp the part securely in place .. flat side down .. supported by & clamped to a flat surface .. in a drill press .. slow speed .. 'n use cutting oil.


  • In Memoriam

    D ale

    Note the "strange hole" in the lower frame half.


  • In Memoriam

    D ale

  • Jack Haskins, Jr.

    Just joined this group.  Recently I've gotten interested in modifying pocket knives on a low level.  Mainly making scales for my knives with screw construction.  Don't know how far this will go.  So far it's gone as far as I can go with limited money.

  • Jack Haskins, Jr.

    Here is a recent project I did.  Kirinite lava-flow scales on a Spyderco Jester.

    Jester%2C%20kirinite%20lava-flow%20B%20closed.JPG

  • Ron Cooper

    Those scales look great on that Spydie! Nice work, Jack!

  • Bob Robinson

    Nice looking scales Jack!

  • Mike Botts

    This is a little off topic, but I need someone out there to help me find some basic tools and supplies for repair of old folders.  I'd like to find one of those little knife repair anvils with the stepped top.  I have punches, and know where to get more.  I also need a good source for brass and nickel silver wire in various gauges to use for pins (rivets).  I could also use some tips on finishing carbon steel blades.  I have some felt wheels,- hard felt - and various compounds, but I would like to know  how to get that mirror finish.  I have a bag of crocus of iron, but I need to know what hardness of felt to use with it, - hard, flint hard, etc. -  and what to mix with it to build up a (head) on the wheel for this finishing task.  Information on inches per second for wheel speed would be helpful.  I don't have a nice 2 inch vertical belt grinder yet.  Just wheels and a small 1" JET belt grinder so far.  I have the skills, and many tools, but I need help on how to apply those skills to pocket knife repair.  Info on any of these issues would be helpful.       


  • KnifeMaker

    Vance Wade Hinds

    Mike,  I can tell you how I clean up knives for people and I hope it helps.  As to where to find thinks, I have a great collection of knife related links on my blog that should speed up your research time in finding tools and knife supplies:  http://texasknives.org/.  As for the polishing, I use a sewn mulsin buff (http://www.texasknife.com/vcom/index.php?cPath=223_225_176_511)  with 50% chrome Green Rouge for most of my polishing needs.  I use this on blades, bolsters and handle material if it is hard.  This rouge will melt or burn soft handle material.  I use this for most polishing and cleaning duties on blades in pretty good shape or as a final polish.  If there are heavy scratches or substantial corrosion or abuse then I hand sand the blades first.  I start with 60 grit until all scratches are gone and only go length wise.  Then I go to a 100-250 grit.  Then to a 400-600 grit, and then a 1200 grit.  I also have some higher sandpaper I can get into the thousands and microns.  Lastly I go back to the buffer with the green rouge.  I have both a 1" x 30" belt grinder and a 2" x 72" belt grinder.  I use these for profiling, shaping, and blade geometry grinding.  But when trying to polish I hand sand and buff.  I hope this helps.  I have an old anvil I don't use if you are interested.  It is probably bigger then you want though.  I will answer any questions you have if I can.  Thanks, Vance.  

  • Pat Kennedy

    Jantz Supply sells the type of anvil you're looking for, as do sellers of jewelry supplies.
  • Mike Botts

    Hi Vance.  I've been doing blade refinishing using roughly the same way that you describe here.  I do the step sanding all the way up to the thousands and microns, then the polishing.  I've used the green rouge.  the thing I don't do is use the sewn cotton buffing wheels.  I find that they knock off the sharp grind lines I've been so careful to maintain through the whole process.  What I want to do is finish up with a hard felt wheel, and crocus of iron compound.  That's what the old makers used. and that's why their grind lines and swedges look so fine and sharp.  It gives the blades that faceted look.  What I need to know is what hardness of felt wheel to use with the compound I have for "crocus polishing".  There are hard, rock hard and flint hard.  These wheels are expensive.  They can get into the hundreds of dollars depending on the diameter and width.  I want to be certain that I'm using the right wheel before I apply the "head" as the old blade finishers used to call it, when they would prepare a wheel for polishing.  I have the sewn rag wheels, but as Bernard Levine Says; "You would never see a sewn rag wheel anywhere in the old knife factories.  The just didn't use them."  I think hard felt is the way for me to go.  The other bit of information I need, is wheel speed in inches per second, or IPS.  Then I can set the speed correctly, no matter what my wheel diameter is.  Thanks for the reply, but I think other info is still needed.   


  • KnifeMaker

    Vance Wade Hinds

    Thanks for the informative reply.  So far, when I reply to a post, I learn more from the replies to my post, than I provide in info.  This is a great site with great people.  I will have to reevaluate my sewn muslin wheel and look at the hard felts.  I hope we both get an answer to your question. 

  • Mike Botts

    Thanks Vance, and you're right about the helpful folks on this site.  I still haven't gotten any replies to my question about tool and supply resources.  I'd like to get into re-handling old folders that need it.  But I will have to know where to obtain pin material, and a nice little anvil.  Ive seen these anvils on u-tube videos, and in one knife repair book, so I know they are out there.  I'm confident that someone on this site will be able to help.

  • Mike Botts

    Oh, I must be half blind!  I just noticed Pat Kennedy's reply about Jantz Supply having the anvil I'm referring to.  Old age must be catching up with me.  See, I knew someone could help me.  Thanks Pat.  I'll Check it out.

  • Jack Haskins, Jr.

    Here's an anvil and other things.  I like this site a lot.  Jantz is good to in my experience.  I like the handle material on this site more I think.

    I can't paste the address.  Go to usaknifemakers.comm and search for "anvil".

    Jack

  • Jack Haskins, Jr.

    Wow.   I just looked at the anvils.  Sure can cost a lot of $ to get something to bang on with a hammer. :)


  • KnifeMaker

    Vance Wade Hinds

    There are a lot of knife links on my blog that may help.  I have been accumulating as many as I can. 

    http://texasknives.org/

    If you can think of any to add, let me know.  Thanks.

     

    Vance

  • Bill Fletcher

    Hello Mike!  As far as handle materials, I have had good luck with Culpepper and Company  at http://www.knifehandles.com/  for bone and horn handles; and at http://stores.ebay.com/WOODEN-ARTISTIC-TREASURES ie bigmikeyc1 where some very nice stabalized wooden handles are offerd.  Best regards

  • Mike Botts

    Jack.  You're right about the handle materials.  Thanks!


  • In Memoriam

    Robert Burris

    Thanks Vance, I buy from Texas knife makers supply but I haven't heard of those others. I'll check them out.

  • Rich Miller

    Ok here go's with my first post. Doe's anyone know where I can get a blade for a #19 queen pocket knife?


  • KnifeMaker

    Vance Wade Hinds

    You may ask Jan.  She works at Queen and may know how to get a replacement blade.  Also, she pointed to their warranty info last week about a broken back spring.  You check into that as well.  Vance

  • Ron Cooper

    Howdy, Rich! 

    Congratulations on making your first post! Let me point you in the direction of Queen Cutlery: http://queencutlery.com/ That is their website and you can contact the Daniels family there. You could also post your question here at iKC in our Queen Group: http://tinyurl.com/Queen-Group-iKC Ryan and Courtney Daniels of Queen Cutlery may respond to your question there, also.

    Good luck! And keep on posting -- The more you put in the more you'll get out!

  • Rich Miller

    Thanks guys. What I am really looking for is a used blade so the knife looks more original. Guess I could have been more specific in my first post.

      I bought the knife at the queen show in pleasantville pa from a woman whose husband worked for queen 54 years ago. The blade was bent and I promptly broke it trying to straighten it.

      I talked to the president of queen at the show and she said it isn't covered under the warranty and would cost more to replace the blade than the knife is worth. Now if I hadn't broke it tryin to straighten it they would have fixed it...I'll never learn.


  • In Memoriam

    Robert Burris

    I see some blades for folders, some times on Ebay. They are mostly, Camillus but some might be Queen's. Check it out and I'll keep an eye out for Queen knife blades, for you. I'm on there all the time any way...lol


  • KnifeMaker

    Vance Wade Hinds

    LOL.  That sounds just like one of my repair jobs.  You are with the right group that may have an old queen to give to the cause.  Ebay is also a possibility.  I would post in the Queen group and see if they have any ideas.  I have one old queen trapper that was my uncles and I have a queen trapper of my brother's that has a broken backspring that I intend to send back to Queen for repair.  Which blade do you need?  Do you have pics?

  • Rich Miller

    I've been checking ebay not a queen pocket knife blade to be found. The blade I need is the pointed skinning blade. I'll get some more of my knife pictures up later tonite after I feed the dogs. Thanks again...

  • Rich Miller


  • Featured

    Charles Sample

    Rich, maybe you could find a whole Queen knife in bad shape that you could get cheap and salvage the blade from it.