Fabril Shell Puller Resto/Mod "Impala" Jigged Horn
Fabril Shell Puller Resto/Mod "Impala" Jigged Horn
So I picked up this old Fabril shell puller for a change of pace and because I don't have one. (I can come up with some more excuses if necessary.) It is also the first shell puller I have seen that is not an automatic knife. I also like the 2 different "pullers" - one for 12 gauge and one for 16 gauge. As you can see from the first 3 pictures, it looks to have been "rode hard and put away wet", and the original horn scales were parting company with the knife. It has been sitting in my project box for some time now, and every time I pull out another knife to work on it yells at me "MY TURN!", but I couldn't decide what scales to put on it. Then a serendipity moment - Culpepper called me to tell me they had "Impala jigged" water buffalo horn on sale and I better order some before they run out. (Actually, the knife never yelled at me and Culpepper never called me, but I did see the "impala jigged" horn on sale in this month's flyer and realized I had to try it on the shell puller that had been gathering dust.) So, I think it turned out OK, but I may redo the front pivot pin. If you look at the second picture, you will see that the original pivot pin heads sit rather proud and have not been filed flush with the bolsters. Well, I guess there's a reason for that. If you look at the last picture, you will see that the color of my nickel sliver pin doesn't blend in with the bolster, and after I filed the peened head flush, it didn't "disappear" the way we like to see them do. The bolsters on this knife are apparently solid carbon steel and the nickel silver pins aren't welcome there. So I think someday I may have to find a steel nail of the right size to re-pin the blade end. Also, as you can see in the second picture, the blade on this knife had apparently been badly abused by a coarse grinder. I tried to get out all the marks, but didn't want to remove any more metal. Finally, if you are ever looking for a material that gives good traction for your hand to hold onto, the "impala jigging" feels that way. Sorry for the extra long story.
"Better to do something imperfectly, than to do nothing flawlessly." ~ Robert H. Schuller
Herb
Herb
Re: Fabril Shell Puller Resto/Mod "Impala" Jigged Horn
Oops, please make that "Frabil"
"Better to do something imperfectly, than to do nothing flawlessly." ~ Robert H. Schuller
Herb
Herb
Re: Fabril Shell Puller Resto/Mod "Impala" Jigged Horn
That turned out nice Herb!
I saw the impala jigged water buffalo horn in Culpeppers flier but didn’t have a use for it currently. It’s definitely a different look.
Let me know how stable the buffalo horn is. I’ve seen some post in the past where buffalo horn tried to resume its original curve and shape and pulled out handle pins etc. It might have something to do with how the horn is processed so hopefully yours retains its shape.
The steel bolster/pin thing is hit or miss. Sometimes the nail used is the correct type of steel and blends in, other times it’s obvious that the pin steel material doesn’t match the bolster steel at all. I don’t spend a lot of time worrying about it. If it matches that’s great, if not, that’s okay too.
Jeff
I saw the impala jigged water buffalo horn in Culpeppers flier but didn’t have a use for it currently. It’s definitely a different look.
Let me know how stable the buffalo horn is. I’ve seen some post in the past where buffalo horn tried to resume its original curve and shape and pulled out handle pins etc. It might have something to do with how the horn is processed so hopefully yours retains its shape.
The steel bolster/pin thing is hit or miss. Sometimes the nail used is the correct type of steel and blends in, other times it’s obvious that the pin steel material doesn’t match the bolster steel at all. I don’t spend a lot of time worrying about it. If it matches that’s great, if not, that’s okay too.
Jeff
Hey … it’s a pocketknife for gosh sakes. I’m not selling the Mona Lisa….Bullitt4001
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Re: Fabril Shell Puller Resto/Mod "Impala" Jigged Horn
That looks good. I enjoy working with horn and it's a good stable material. Keep it away from beetles and it's really nice. There are a lot of nice colors in horn too.
Nice job of fitting repair!
Nice job of fitting repair!
Dale
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- Bill DeShivs
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Re: Fabril Shell Puller Resto/Mod "Impala" Jigged Horn
The bolsters on those are nickel plated carbon steel. You have removed the nickel down to the steel.
Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler
Factory authorized repair for:
Latama
Mauro Mario
LePre
Colonial
KABAR
Hubertus, Grafrath, Ritter
Schrade Cut. Co., Geo Schrade, Pressbutton, Flylock
Falcon/AKC/AGA Campolin
Puma
Burrell Cutlery
Factory authorized repair for:
Latama
Mauro Mario
LePre
Colonial
KABAR
Hubertus, Grafrath, Ritter
Schrade Cut. Co., Geo Schrade, Pressbutton, Flylock
Falcon/AKC/AGA Campolin
Puma
Burrell Cutlery
Re: Fabril Shell Puller Resto/Mod "Impala" Jigged Horn
Bill, I think you are right about them being nickel plated carbon steel. It all makes sense now. If you look closely at the first picture, the steel was starting to rust under the nickel plating, or in spots where it was damaged and when I started cleaning the crud and rust off the knife, the plating was already flaking off.
"Better to do something imperfectly, than to do nothing flawlessly." ~ Robert H. Schuller
Herb
Herb
Re: Fabril Shell Puller Resto/Mod "Impala" Jigged Horn
Great one to restore and it turned out great looking as well. A shell puller is on my list but haven't pulled the trigger yes. You did well on that one. There are a couple for sale now in the AAPK store that are not auto's.
- 1967redrider
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Re: Fabril Shell Puller Resto/Mod "Impala" Jigged Horn
That's a great knife I was fortunate enough to handle yesterday, sans bail. Turned out awesome, Herb.
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!
You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
Re: Fabril Shell Puller Resto/Mod "Impala" Jigged Horn
Herb, you made that a great looking knife!!!
Heretical Refurb / Mods of cheap old folders, since late 2018
Re: Fabril Shell Puller Resto/Mod "Impala" Jigged Horn
Definitely looks right with that Impala-jigged horn!
Great selection. I love seeing these old junkers turned into beauties, and you did it again!
Great selection. I love seeing these old junkers turned into beauties, and you did it again!
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Everything else is just a hobby.
~Reverand
Everything else is just a hobby.
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- OLDE CUTLER
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Re: Fabril Shell Puller Resto/Mod "Impala" Jigged Horn
Yes that does make some nice handle material. I did that same material on a trapper a while back. Great job.
"Sometimes even the blind chicken finds corn"
Re: Fabril Shell Puller Resto/Mod "Impala" Jigged Horn
Good job! Love the look of the jigged horn!
If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.
Wayne
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- Meridian_Mike
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Re: Fabril Shell Puller Resto/Mod "Impala" Jigged Horn
Very nice Herb!
That pattern on the handles seems to complement the style of knife perfectly! Great choice!
Very nice execution! Great job!!
Mike
That pattern on the handles seems to complement the style of knife perfectly! Great choice!
Very nice execution! Great job!!
Mike
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