Two Camillus folders

[Real1shep]

I keep moving this story around....apologize if you've read it before. Looking for the best place for help.

So the knife on the right, is my boyhood 'Scout' folder from the early 60's. I whittled down a Soapbox Derby car with it...the reason it was purchased. I think I was 8yrs old at the time...Cub Scouts. Then some older idiot told me tree sap was cool to chew. And this 8yr old idiot went out to carve some tree sap. Knife folded on my finger nearly severing it in half. Dropped the knife at the base of the tree and ran for my life/finger. 30yrs later was going through my dad's 'tool' drawer and there she was, still blood stained.

I cleaned it up and started using it. Spring broke and I ran into a knife 'maker' in the early 90's. Said he could fix it up no problems. Should have been more communication between us as to what I wanted/expected. As you can see, he didn't use back the correct silver end pins. And I don't know why he did this, but he buffed down the handle slabs where the rivet pin is, both sides...essentially ruining the knife handles.

The knife on the left is a much later Camillus from maybe the 80's? Anyway, I want to sacrifice the handle slabs on that knife to go on my original knife. And to have the correct silver pins put in the ends, of course. I don't see this as a really crazy expensive repair....but looking for someone who can do what I want done. I know.....it's a shame to sacrifice a good Camillus folder, but it's to an original boyhood knife.

Kevin

[kootenay joe]

Your boyhood knife looks fine to me. Yes the blade pivot pins are of a different metal and thus are visible but i don't understand why it bothers you. And the handle looks fine too, just a little buffed down around the spring pivot.
Knives change/evolve as we use them. You could see these changes as just part of the knife's life to this date.
If it functions well why not use it as it is ? I bet you would soon be just as attached to it.
Even if you get the work done just as you desire, it still will not be the same as when you cut your finger.
Brings to mind an old well known quote "and acceptance is the answer to all my problems."
kj

[tallguy606]

I always thought that steel blade pivot pins instead of softer nickel silver were probably stronger and more wear-resistant. As used in German Eye and many Camillus knives.

[Real1shep]

It bothers me because it's not what I told the guy to do....he did his own thing. And every time I look at that knife, it elicits that memory. Can't let it go for some reason and I'm basically, pretty easy goin'.

I am considering replacing the pins to original. This would save the 80's Whittler from destruction and I'd have two knives.


Kevin

[herbva]

Kevin, whoever worked on the knife before was talented or knowledgeable enough to find and install a correct replacement spring, so I cannot understand why proper pivot pins were not used. I can't tell from you pictures whether they are brass or maybe steel that has rusted. But, you are correct, they aren't the technically correct material and don't match the NS bolsters. Perhaps this person didn't have any NS of the correct size and just used steel nails. (I actually use steel nails to make my pivot pins when working on German knives because many or most of the German knives have steel pivot pins that don't match the bolsters and you can frequently see the pivot pin heads on the finished knives.) Anyway, its not a big deal to replace the pivot pins on your knife with NS. I certainly understand your sentimental reasons. But, the cost may, or may not be more than you really want to invest in this purely cosmetic change. Just my 2 cents.

[Real1shep]

Herb,
That's exactly what he said...no NS pins. They were copper...I have just let them corrode a bit.

Yes, he did replace the spring properly which just confounds me on why he over-buffed those handles. Or why anyone in the biz would do that to a collectable knife. The wrong pins are one thing, the handle issue is just bizarre to me.

I'm really thinking about leaving the handles as they are. How complicated could it be to replace those pins...can I give it a go without any experience, but lots of patience? Has anybody done a vid of it on YouTube?


Kevin

[herbva]

Herb,
That's exactly what he said...no NS pins. They were copper...I have just let them corrode a bit.

Yes, he did replace the spring properly which just confounds me on why he over-buffed those handles. Or why anyone in the biz would do that to a collectable knife. The wrong pins are one thing, the handle issue is just bizarre to me.

I'm really thinking about leaving the handles as they are. How complicated could it be to replace those pins...can I give it a go without any experience, but lots of patience? Has anybody done a vid of it on YouTube?


Kevin

Kevin, we have lots of great tutorials here. If you really want to get into knife repair and/or restoration, click on "Discuss", "Custom and Customized", "Knife Related Tutorials". No, I wouldn't try it without any experience. I suggest you start with some "beater" knives from ebay or a flea market and when you have gained some confidence and experience, go ahead and repair your knife. Or , send it to one of our professional knife mechanics here and get it done right. Once you get into it as I did years ago, you might find it is a lot of fun.

[Real1shep]

Thanks Herb. OK then, where is a list of knife mechanics here that might be interested?


Kevin

[Mumbleypeg]

Kevin, just as you keep moving the post around, I keep telling people asking your question the same thing: There is no list of knife mechanics here, and the best advice I can give is to go to the Knife Mechanics subforums here viewforum.php?f=37 , look at posts and examples of work shown there. Send a PM to one or more of them with pictures of your knife and a description of what you want done.

I posted similar pleas to yours without responses. Most of these guys have a backlog of work already and don’t need to chase business. I picked someone, sent them a PM, got back a reply and had a nicely repaired knife in less than a month.

JMO.

Ken

[Real1shep]

Sounds good to me, Ken. It's not like I'm asking for extensive repairs on a uber rare knife.

I'll check it out and do exactly that. It makes sense that the better Knife Mechanics aren't chumming for work. Thank you for the link.....cuts out a lot of the red tape in this process.

Kevin