Cleaned up this cheap Imperial, yesterday...

This forum is for those who like to repair and restore knives, and for those who would like to learn.
Post Reply
User avatar
Doc B
Posts: 3700
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 10:57 pm
Location: San Antonio

Cleaned up this cheap Imperial, yesterday...

Post by Doc B »

This thing was so messed up, I just wanted to see what I could do with it. I'm going on a trip, flying to Rhode Island, in about 2 weeks. I didn't want to put a knife in my luggage, that I wasn't prepared to lose. I don't often pull out sand paper...but wanted to see what I could do with this beat up Imperial.
IMG_1609.jpg
IMG_1610.jpg
Found a good use, for a broken blade... I was just about to throw this thing away; however, it's about the perfect tool for cleaning the backsprings. The back side of the broken "blade" is somewhat like a chisel, for scraping and cleaning the springs. I was able to scrape the liners fairly well, too, with it.
IMG_1613.jpg
IMG_1614.jpg
After getting the overt rust off...there was pitting of the metal. Some sanding and "elbow grease"...I think she cleaned up fairly well. She'll get a trip back to her "home of record"...Imperial / Providence RI. I won't lose too much sleep, if the baggage handler decides he wants it.
IMG_1692.jpg
IMG_1693.jpg
Heretical Refurb / Mods of cheap old folders, since late 2018
User avatar
XX Case XX
Posts: 3574
Joined: Sat Oct 31, 2015 7:24 pm
Location: California

Re: Cleaned up this cheap Imperial, yesterday...

Post by XX Case XX »

That's real nice Doc. You gave that thing a good cleaning. And like you said, if you lose it, you won't be too upset. Nicely done. ::nod:: ::tu::

_____________
Mike
"If there are no Dogs in Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went". Will Rogers

I work hard so my Dog can have a better life...
User avatar
FRJ
Posts: 15180
Joined: Fri May 14, 2010 1:43 pm
Location: Ct.

Re: Cleaned up this cheap Imperial, yesterday...

Post by FRJ »

Good job, Doc.
I hope you don't loose it. They're not a bad knife.

I like the way you used that peanut.
You could refine one of those stubs and use it as a blade lifter on a knife with strong springs.
There's all kinds of those at the flea market I go to. Now I'll look for one -- if I can remember to.

::tu::
Joe
User avatar
Doc B
Posts: 3700
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 10:57 pm
Location: San Antonio

Re: Cleaned up this cheap Imperial, yesterday...

Post by Doc B »

FRJ wrote:Good job, Doc.
I hope you don't loose it. They're not a bad knife.

I like the way you used that peanut.
You could refine one of those stubs and use it as a blade lifter on a knife with strong springs.
There's all kinds of those at the flea market I go to. Now I'll look for one -- if I can remember to.

::tu::
Good idea, on the lifter, Joe. Hadn't thought of that.
Heretical Refurb / Mods of cheap old folders, since late 2018
User avatar
Jeffinn
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 2002
Joined: Fri Nov 10, 2017 3:16 am
Location: Roseville, Mi
Contact:

Re: Cleaned up this cheap Imperial, yesterday...

Post by Jeffinn »

Turned out nice Doc!
Hey … it’s a pocketknife for gosh sakes. I’m not selling the Mona Lisa….Bullitt4001
https://www.jfinamoreknives.com
http://www.secondlifeknives.com
Scale Military
Posts: 220
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2019 1:34 pm
Location: Yorkton, SK
Contact:

Re: Cleaned up this cheap Imperial, yesterday...

Post by Scale Military »

::tu:: nice job on that imperial sir!
William C. Westmoreland "The military don't start wars. Politicians start wars."
George S. Patton Jr. "Live for something rather than die for nothing."
User avatar
Meridian_Mike
Posts: 4981
Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2014 8:36 pm
Location: Mississippi

Re: Cleaned up this cheap Imperial, yesterday...

Post by Meridian_Mike »

That is a good idea to use a broken blade to clean the springs on the inside between the liners! I'm glad you showed us that!
Great job on the clean-up.

::tu::
"Life is tough.... but it's tougher if you're stupid."....John Wayne
User avatar
OLDE CUTLER
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 4289
Joined: Wed Oct 11, 2017 8:11 pm
Location: South Dakota

Re: Cleaned up this cheap Imperial, yesterday...

Post by OLDE CUTLER »

Looks great, ready for EDC.
"Sometimes even the blind chicken finds corn"
User avatar
WillyCamaro
Posts: 6092
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 4:03 am

Re: Cleaned up this cheap Imperial, yesterday...

Post by WillyCamaro »

The old girl turned out real good Doc ::tu::
"Never, never, never give up."
Winston Churchill

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Matthew 6:34
User avatar
orvet
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 19336
Joined: Tue May 16, 2006 6:23 am
Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon

Re: Cleaned up this cheap Imperial, yesterday...

Post by orvet »

::tu:: ::tu::
Dale
AAPK Administrator

Please visit my AAPK store: www.allaboutpocketknives.com/orvet

Job 13:15

"Buy more ammo!" - Johnnie Fain
“Evil is Powerless If The Good are Unafraid.” – Ronald Reagan
Reverand
Silver Tier
Silver Tier
Posts: 2984
Joined: Mon Oct 22, 2018 6:45 pm
Location: Pisgah, AL
Contact:

Re: Cleaned up this cheap Imperial, yesterday...

Post by Reverand »

Looks good! Those old knives have some great steel in them.
I painted the handle on one, and I really liked the way it looked. I used Testors model paint, but I have read a post where someone else used fingernail polish.
I painted mine metallic blue, and carefully painted around the impressions of the "shield" and "pins", as well as leaving the bolster-area unpainted.
I will have to look and see if I have pictures somewhere...
Jesus is life.
Everything else is just a hobby.

~Reverand
User avatar
Doc B
Posts: 3700
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 10:57 pm
Location: San Antonio

Re: Cleaned up this cheap Imperial, yesterday...

Post by Doc B »

Reverand wrote:Looks good! Those old knives have some great steel in them.
I painted the handle on one, and I really liked the way it looked. I used Testors model paint, but I have read a post where someone else used fingernail polish.
I painted mine metallic blue, and carefully painted around the impressions of the "shield" and "pins", as well as leaving the bolster-area unpainted.
I will have to look and see if I have pictures somewhere...
It took a great edge and has exceptional snap, on all 3 blades. I'm not sure, how long the celluloid will last. There was a corner of it, that was lifting up, that I epoxied. Seems a lot of these knives, have none of it left. If the baggage handler doesn't get it...and celluloid flakes off...I'll probably be pulling out the acrylic paint ::tu::
Heretical Refurb / Mods of cheap old folders, since late 2018
doglegg
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 17722
Joined: Mon Sep 18, 2017 2:35 am
Location: Grand Prairie, Texas

Re: Cleaned up this cheap Imperial, yesterday...

Post by doglegg »

DocB, great job. I see two old knives returned to usefulness here. One as a pocket carry and the other as a cleaning tool. I enjoy your sharing. ::tu:: ::tu::
User avatar
TripleF
Bronze Tier
Bronze Tier
Posts: 18499
Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2011 3:42 pm
Location: West Central FL
Contact:

Re: Cleaned up this cheap Imperial, yesterday...

Post by TripleF »

Looks good pal!!
SCOTT
HOME OF THE BRAVE! (not the scarety cats)

Colonial Knife Company History ebook:
https://gumroad.com/l/ZLDb
knifeaholic
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 5124
Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2006 3:41 am
Location: Central Massachusetts

Re: Cleaned up this cheap Imperial, yesterday...

Post by knifeaholic »

Doc B wrote:I'm going on a trip, flying to Rhode Island, in about 2 weeks.

So you're flying in to Rhode Island...where this knife was born!
Steve Pfeiffer, author of Collecting Case Knives: Identification and Price Guide published by Krause Publications.
User avatar
Doc B
Posts: 3700
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 10:57 pm
Location: San Antonio

Re: Cleaned up this cheap Imperial, yesterday...

Post by Doc B »

knifeaholic wrote:
Doc B wrote:I'm going on a trip, flying to Rhode Island, in about 2 weeks.

So you're flying in to Rhode Island...where this knife was born!
Yep...flying in to Providence. Thought it would be fitting to take it back and show it it's birthplace ::nod::
Heretical Refurb / Mods of cheap old folders, since late 2018
knifeaholic
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 5124
Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2006 3:41 am
Location: Central Massachusetts

Re: Cleaned up this cheap Imperial, yesterday...

Post by knifeaholic »

Doc B wrote:
knifeaholic wrote:
Doc B wrote:I'm going on a trip, flying to Rhode Island, in about 2 weeks.

So you're flying in to Rhode Island...where this knife was born!
Yep...flying in to Providence. Thought it would be fitting to take it back and show it it's birthplace ::nod::
It has been many years since I drove by the old Imperial plant site...but I believe it has been converted to residential lofts.
Steve Pfeiffer, author of Collecting Case Knives: Identification and Price Guide published by Krause Publications.
User avatar
whittlenut
Posts: 95
Joined: Sat Jun 03, 2006 11:44 pm
Location: S. Miss.

Re: Cleaned up this cheap Imperial, yesterday...

Post by whittlenut »

A big thanks to all of you. Soooooo helpful. I love this site !!!!!!
Post Reply

Return to “Knife Repair and Restoration”