Crooked Maltese question
- SwedgeHead
- Silver Tier
- Posts: 260
- Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2023 12:23 am
Crooked Maltese question
Picked this one up recently, besides a bit lack luster polish on the blade I notice when opened the blade leans just slightly to the left of center.
I was wondering if I might take a crack at filing the lock back steel a bit to allow it to open further, or if that is just creating more "slop" and problems for me. any advice ?
I also took a light polishing to the blade with no good results, surprised Campolin has so much grain in the steel. I've had good luck on other blades but this one seems a little more stubborn. It's gonna be a cool knife once tuned up a bit. (I added the countersunk red dot as a little something fun to do)
Thanks,
Randy
I was wondering if I might take a crack at filing the lock back steel a bit to allow it to open further, or if that is just creating more "slop" and problems for me. any advice ?
I also took a light polishing to the blade with no good results, surprised Campolin has so much grain in the steel. I've had good luck on other blades but this one seems a little more stubborn. It's gonna be a cool knife once tuned up a bit. (I added the countersunk red dot as a little something fun to do)
Thanks,
Randy
- Madmarco
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 9782
- Joined: Wed May 20, 2020 12:09 am
- Location: Smack dab in the middle of Canada
Re: Crooked Maltese question
Those Maltese lockbacks seem so cool when you first see them Randy, but unfortunately once in-hand it can be a different story completely.
When I received my 11"er 2 yrs. ago, it arrived in less than ideal condition, and it was brand new. It fired lazily and didn't seem to lock-up tightly.
I was informed by the seller that this model is notorious for having weak springs, and went on to say they're built by old men drinking wine, so those things factor in regarding quality.
I eventually sent it to Muskratman for repair and reassembly, and even though it operates quite well now, it still just doesn't feel the way I thought it would.
Not AGA's finest accomplishment for sure.
IMHO, unless you know EXACTLY what you're doing, I wouldn't mess with filing the tang or lock-tab, you can wind-up making it much worse than it is now.
Your red-dot addition is way cool man!
When I received my 11"er 2 yrs. ago, it arrived in less than ideal condition, and it was brand new. It fired lazily and didn't seem to lock-up tightly.
I was informed by the seller that this model is notorious for having weak springs, and went on to say they're built by old men drinking wine, so those things factor in regarding quality.
I eventually sent it to Muskratman for repair and reassembly, and even though it operates quite well now, it still just doesn't feel the way I thought it would.
Not AGA's finest accomplishment for sure.
IMHO, unless you know EXACTLY what you're doing, I wouldn't mess with filing the tang or lock-tab, you can wind-up making it much worse than it is now.
Your red-dot addition is way cool man!
- SwedgeHead
- Silver Tier
- Posts: 260
- Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2023 12:23 am
Re: Crooked Maltese question
Thanks Madman,
I have to agree with you on the base quality, it's not the best and the spring is a bit weak.
I always appreciate member insights and willingness to help a guy out.
I'm pretty comfortable with fine detail work, messing with antique clocks and watches over the years, but I wanted to double check myself on the geometry of the lock too.
My drawing is crude but tells me whats going on.
I am thinking the lock bar notch (bottom) might hold the blade and keep the wobble in check, allowing me to just barely shave the top of the (rounded) notch corner to allow the blade to sit straighter. Risk is of course introducing a bit of side-play.
Not tackling it yet, just seeing what my options are.
Thanks for chiming in !
oh, and thanks on the red dot addition, its funny how even a subtle color difference changes the look. I had a red that came out too Salmon on the stag, so I mixed a bit to get the "blood red" . LoL
I have to agree with you on the base quality, it's not the best and the spring is a bit weak.
I always appreciate member insights and willingness to help a guy out.
I'm pretty comfortable with fine detail work, messing with antique clocks and watches over the years, but I wanted to double check myself on the geometry of the lock too.
My drawing is crude but tells me whats going on.
I am thinking the lock bar notch (bottom) might hold the blade and keep the wobble in check, allowing me to just barely shave the top of the (rounded) notch corner to allow the blade to sit straighter. Risk is of course introducing a bit of side-play.
Not tackling it yet, just seeing what my options are.
Thanks for chiming in !
oh, and thanks on the red dot addition, its funny how even a subtle color difference changes the look. I had a red that came out too Salmon on the stag, so I mixed a bit to get the "blood red" . LoL
- Madmarco
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 9782
- Joined: Wed May 20, 2020 12:09 am
- Location: Smack dab in the middle of Canada
Re: Crooked Maltese question
Yep, I see your logic totally from your picture man.
It appears it would be simple enough, I guess I was just suggesting to go very slowly and try and measure it with each grinding, cuz when I did this to a knife of mine I wound-up grinding off too much and as a result the blade was now "leaning" the other way too, so now I have a knife with play in both directions. Slow and easy is always best.
With the way the springs stick-out from the blade channel when open you'd think the springs would be much more powerful, but that's simply not the case, they're just inherently weak.
I totally agree that the simple addition of a red dot gives the knife a whole new look, makes me think "Latama" immediately.
Be sure to report how it turns out!
Mark!
It appears it would be simple enough, I guess I was just suggesting to go very slowly and try and measure it with each grinding, cuz when I did this to a knife of mine I wound-up grinding off too much and as a result the blade was now "leaning" the other way too, so now I have a knife with play in both directions. Slow and easy is always best.
With the way the springs stick-out from the blade channel when open you'd think the springs would be much more powerful, but that's simply not the case, they're just inherently weak.
I totally agree that the simple addition of a red dot gives the knife a whole new look, makes me think "Latama" immediately.
Be sure to report how it turns out!
Mark!
Re: Crooked Maltese question
Id be careful filing anything, my understanding is that the lock-back needs to be moved back then re-fastened once the blades in the desired position ….. i may be wrong . It could be as simple as tapping it back with a drift punch … tap tap
- Madmarco
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 9782
- Joined: Wed May 20, 2020 12:09 am
- Location: Smack dab in the middle of Canada
Re: Crooked Maltese question
I would take heed to what Wiseguy says Randy, he has much experience with autos and knives in general, and I only offer an opinion.
- SwedgeHead
- Silver Tier
- Posts: 260
- Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2023 12:23 am
Re: Crooked Maltese question
Thanks guys. I think I see your meaning Wise', I'm thinking it needs clearance in the red for the tilt, but if I'm reading you right, it could instead need clearance in the blue. I think it's in the red still, but this gives me something new to look at.
appreciate it !
- Madmarco
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 9782
- Joined: Wed May 20, 2020 12:09 am
- Location: Smack dab in the middle of Canada
Re: Crooked Maltese question
I'd have figured it the way you did Randy, but what WG posted makes a lot of sense too.
This could be why my knife didn't turn out right, I filed the wrong section.
This could be why my knife didn't turn out right, I filed the wrong section.
- SwedgeHead
- Silver Tier
- Posts: 260
- Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2023 12:23 am
Re: Crooked Maltese question
You guys helped me see even a 3rd angle, now with GREEN. Where there's no filing but the lockbar needs to be lowered and drawn towards the butt end of the knife. This I think would correct the blade tilt and not introduce new play.
Probably a re-pinning job and not something I'd tackle on an otherwise good knife but something new to look at.
This all probably belongs in Knife Repair - sorry, but getting use of of my drawing anyway. LoL
- Madmarco
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 9782
- Joined: Wed May 20, 2020 12:09 am
- Location: Smack dab in the middle of Canada
Re: Crooked Maltese question
If I'm understanding him correctly Randy, I believe that's what WG was eluding to, tapping the blade back into position.
Re: Crooked Maltese question
This looks correct
SwedgeHead wrote: ↑Thu Mar 02, 2023 12:12 amYou guys helped me see even a 3rd angle, now with GREEN. Where there's no filing but the lockbar needs to be lowered and drawn towards the butt end of the knife. This I think would correct the blade tilt and not introduce new play.
Probably a re-pinning job and not something I'd tackle on an otherwise good knife but something new to look at.
This all probably belongs in Knife Repair - sorry, but getting use of of my drawing anyway. LoL