New member from Australia

[lukecooper86]

Hi.
I've been interested in knives, collecting, knife making, historical metal working, and tinkering/restoration for a long time.
I did a metal working apprenticeship when I was younger (maintenance fitter/machinist) and currently work in a technical position where knives occasionally come under my responsibility as a product/materiel.

Got a small number of knives I've collected over the years, including one I hand forged myself (under the instruction of a professional). Recently bought a couple of old two bladed folders I thought would be good to get started in restoration. They were in working condition with surface rust.
Unfortunately, I was giving them a soak in some vinegar to help remove the rust and the backspring for the smaller blade broke on both knives.
My theory - I can only assume it has something to do with the fact the knives had been displayed, at the antique store, with the small blade partially opened so as to keep the backspring under constant tension (as per image). They were probably displayed like this for months or years. I think this must have created some fatigue or micro cracking in the spring which has then finally broken when the vinegar started to eat away at corrosion.

Anyway, what ever caused the break, having looked at this forum I think the advice and tips available are going to help me in the future.

For interest the tang stamps of the two folders that broke are STAG Ireland & Imperial Prov. R.I USA (with a crown above the 2nd I in Imperial and USA written vertically). I might try and turn them into single blade folders.

Cheers.

[New_Windsor_NY]

Hi and to AAPK.

[edge213]

Welcome to AAPK

[treefarmer]

lukecooper86, there are several AAPK members on AAPK from "down under", you should feel at home with all us knife lovers!
Treefarmer

[stagman]

coop86...like treefarmer says, many of your countrymen here..
I always wanted to come over and get invited to prospect a claim on your western gold fields
Some of the nuggets that come out of there are amazing !!!
And lot of knife work being done here, ask em and they will answer most any repair question

Stag

[Colonel26]

Welcome sir! It’s a pleasure to have another Aussie aboard.

[jerryd6818]

AAPK Welcome Sign - Latest 2-25-19.jpg (59.83 KiB) Viewed 2972 times

[zoogirl]

Welcome!
This place is actually pretty full of folks from all over. I assume you met our Cudgee. We’ve also got Eustace from Eastern Europe and a whole clutch of Canucks, including me.
I’d love to try a knife build, but I lack a few things - space, tools, materials and, oh yeah, skill!
See you around!

[dlr110]

A very big to AAPK. This is the best group of folks you'll find in any forum and some of them even know a few things about knives. Just kidding there are some very knowledgeable members here that are willing to help you.

[cudgee]

G,day, i presume like me you browsed the forum before signing up, you'll be glad you did. Have a look at the different forum threads as well as just knives. Got some great sites, about nature and other stuff. I like zoogirl, would love to be able to fix knives, but Space,Tools,Materials and Skill are a drawback. Good to have you aboard, and there will not be a question that cannot be answered by someone on the forum.

[Quick Steel]

Welcome aboard mate.

[Doc B]

Welcome from south Texas!!!

[Shearer]

Welcome to AAPK I have been a member from Australia for several years.

Grant

[Brumbydownunder]

Welcome from Central NSW

Derek

[samb1955]

Welcome from Indiana.

[Steve Warden]

Welcome aboard!!

[TPK]

WELCOME from Germany! Great people here!