All About Pocket Knives

Hi all, Finally got it done, no giggles allowed. I started with a broken handled Imperial Barlow.
This is my very first attempt to rehandle a knife. Had a lot of trouble getting the peening right, need lots of practice. :mrgre
Anyhow, As will be noticed, the main blade touches the outside liner, the blade has a slight curve and wasn't sure if I should
try and straighten it with a good clout on the anvil or not. Knowing my luck it would've exploded.
The scales are some burl I can't even remember where I got them.
I left the blades pretty well as is except for a hand clean, it's only for a practice knife.
Would love you fella's to critisize and tell me what I've done wrong, or what I should do to improve ( take a couple of threads to do that )
Awaiting with head bowed.

cheers Gary.

Nicely done, rg. What kind of wood is that? It is well figured. I like the lack of bolsters...
...CCBill...

I see nothing wrong with that knife. It looks great. You say this is your first one?

Those shell handle can be a little tricky cause of the tab indents at the ends. Lack of bolsters make it a little eaiser for fitting the scales, but that can also make it easier for chip-out on the edge.

The only thing I see is that some people might grind/sand the back of knife so the liners and springs are flush and smooth. I can't tell from the pics if you did that or not. It might just be the way those shell handle guts fit together.

Overall, it looks really nice, great job!

Glenn

Good Job!

Love the handle material!!!!!

That knife looks just fantastic.
You can do so many things with those old Imperials with the snap on scales.
And if you make a mistake, no big loss.
Your repair and conversion looks top rate to me.
Especially your design 86ing the bolsters.
Using your personal unique style makes this knife one of a kind.
Like the choice of wood also. Looks like mahogany?
The pins look round ,uniform and everything looks tight.
I wouldn't worry about the slightly bent blade. All these type knives end up like that.
Plus you want this vintage knife to show it's age a little.
As long as everything works properly and the knife is safe, then you did it justice bringing it back to life. "I LIKE IT"............
Did one up myself a while ago.
It was one of my first knives back in the early 70's.

:BEFORE:


:AFTER:


J W

Hi all, CCBill, thanks for your comment, I think it's " myrtle burl ". Will get back on that.

glennbad, Yes, this is the first one I've done. No didn't sand down liners, just cleaned them up. Wasn't sure how to
adapt the old bolsters so I left them off. Wasn't designed like that just happened.
Thanks for your kind comments.
knifemaker.. thanks for comments,, lots to learn yet. Someone on here said collecting was only part of the fun,, sure was right. Once you do one rehandle you're looking around for any more to try.

kaq... Yeh, made lots of mistakes, heaps to learn yet, if I keep reading the threads on here I'am sure to pick up heaps of knowledge( i hope). Did you scratch build those copper? bolsters. are they solid, and I assume that's why you put the second pin in them, to hold in position.
Thanks for all the kind comments.

cheers Gary.

ringergary wrote:Hi all, CCBill, thanks for your comment, I think it's " myrtle burl ". Will get back on that.

glennbad, Yes, this is the first one I've done. No didn't sand down liners, just cleaned them up. Wasn't sure how to
adapt the old bolsters so I left them off. Wasn't designed like that just happened.
Thanks for your kind comments.
knifemaker.. thanks for comments,, lots to learn yet. Someone on here said collecting was only part of the fun,, sure was right. Once you do one rehandle you're looking around for any more to try.

kaq... Yeh, made lots of mistakes, heaps to learn yet, if I keep reading the threads on here I'am sure to pick up heaps of knowledge( i hope). Did you scratch build those copper? bolsters. are they solid, and I assume that's why you put the second pin in them, to hold in position.
Thanks for all the kind comments.

cheers Gary.

Gary,
You are now officially hooked. This type of art is like a drug.
Once you've done one you will have to do another and another and so on.
Welcome to the habit..

Yes the bolsters were scratch built.
I posted about this knife a while back~
Check it out--->

http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... 2987&hilit

http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... 3321&hilit



jamie~

Very nice Jamie, have started on my 2nd one, all I'am starting with an old Vict blade, am making my own liners and
have been jigging and colouring some bone for a while now. Using the backspring out of the old knife too, it was a
2 blade, i think one was a bottle opener but its broke off, and aluminium handles. We'll see how she turns out.

Might look for some of that copper for a project.

cheers Gary.

Very cool! Major props!

Nice job of bringing it back to life! If you plan to carry it, one thing you'll notice is that the metal in those old Imperials ain't bad at all. Good old carbon steel, and that's a good thing. Great wood selection!

Thanks for kind comments Bob, got a lot to learn yet.
Enjoy the challenge very much.
Only got the basic tools, Rotary tool, vise, files, cordless drill,heaps and heaps sandpaper & plenty of getup & go.
Can only get better.

cheers Gary.

ringergary wrote:Very nice Jamie, have started on my 2nd one, all I'am starting with an old Vict blade, am making my own liners and
have been jigging and colouring some bone for a while now. Using the backspring out of the old knife too, it was a
2 blade, i think one was a bottle opener but its broke off, and aluminium handles. We'll see how she turns out.

Might look for some of that copper for a project.

cheers Gary.

Excellent Gary,
Just remember to take before and after shots and post them here~
We would all like to see you get progressively better with practice.
Most of the time you will have a design in mind but as the build goes on you will make split decision fabrication changes.
I am looking forward to seeing the finished product with this second conversion project of yours.

I have a project to rehandle, re-pin and sharpen an old Remington folder for an elderly family friend. He has stated to me to use whatever handle material I think would fit the knife.
The original were a green type celluloid. I gave him a choice of all the natural materials that were used on this type of knife other than a composite celluloid substitute.
He was leaning towards ebony hardwood the last time I talked with him but he hasn't given me a positive answer yet.
J W

ringergary wrote:Thanks for kind comments Bob, got a lot to learn yet.
Enjoy the challenge very much.
Only got the basic tools, Rotary tool, vise, files, cordless drill,heaps and heaps sandpaper & plenty of getup & go.
Can only get better.

cheers Gary.

Gary, knife came out great ! one question i'm only on my 3rd knife this one will be my first wood.the knife supply store said i need clear spray . did you use it and if you did was it when you finished the knife or before you put it back together ? trying to learn

paulsvintage wrote:

ringergary wrote:Thanks for kind comments Bob, got a lot to learn yet.
Enjoy the challenge very much.
Only got the basic tools, Rotary tool, vise, files, cordless drill,heaps and heaps sandpaper & plenty of getup & go.
Can only get better.

cheers Gary.

Gary, knife came out great ! one question i'm only on my 3rd knife this one will be my first wood.the knife supply store said i need clear spray . did you use it and if you did was it when you finished the knife or before you put it back together ? trying to learn

Hey Paul,
I know you are asking Gary this question but maybe I can help also.
I have replaced a lot of knife handles using all different kinds of wood.
First, what type of wood are you using?
second, will this be a show knife or a user?
Third, some people shape there handles before attaching to the liners and some afterwards. What is your personal preference or procedure attaching handles?
These three questions will determine whether you will need to treat the handles with anything at all and if so, with what type of product and when to apply it.


J W

JW, thanks for your help ! bought a block of walnut . i cut it so its a 1/16 higher than the bolster and shaped it 1/8 inch larger than the liner.this knife will be a user . i will epoxy it to the liner & pin the front and back and try my luck again on spinning the center pin. just don't know when i should spray the wood ? maybe before and tape off the metal and spray again

paulsvintage wrote:JW, thanks for your help ! bought a block of walnut . i cut it so its a 1/16 higher than the bolster and shaped it 1/8 inch larger than the liner.this knife will be a user . i will epoxy it to the liner & pin the front and back and try my luck again on spinning the center pin. just don't know when i should spray the wood ? maybe before and tape off the metal and spray again

I myself, don't use anything but paste wax on walnut handles.
But with wax you will need to re apply from time to time usually when I sharpen the blades.

I'm guessing your using something in a spray can, polyurethane ?
If so, yea spray before then tape and spray again when the knife is put back together.
Spraying can be messy and time consuming having to tape everything.
You might want to try a wipe on type like Minwax Poly-Wipe On. It will cut out that before spraying and you don't need to tape off. I've used it before and it works well.

Post pictures of this knife in question when finished.
I'd like to see how those handles come out.
Walnut is one of my favorite woods to use as handle material.
Just got me some more chunks of black walnut the other day out of the local forest.
Planning on another trip today for some more.
Will be cutting into scales this weekend.

J W

knives-are-quiet wrote:

paulsvintage wrote:JW, thanks for your help ! bought a block of walnut . i cut it so its a 1/16 higher than the bolster and shaped it 1/8 inch larger than the liner.this knife will be a user . i will epoxy it to the liner & pin the front and back and try my luck again on spinning the center pin. just don't know when i should spray the wood ? maybe before and tape off the metal and spray again

I myself, don't use anything but paste wax on walnut handles.
But with wax you will need to re apply from time to time usually when I sharpen the blades.

I'm guessing your using something in a spray can, polyurethane ?
If so, yea spray before then tape and spray again when the knife is put back together.
Spraying can be messy and time consuming having to tape everything.
You might want to try a wipe on type like Minwax Poly-Wipe On. It will cut out that before spraying and you don't need to tape off. I've used it before and it works well.

Post pictures of this knife in question when finished.
I'd like to see how those handles come out.
Walnut is one of my favorite woods to use as handle material.
Just got me some more chunks of black walnut the other day out of the local forest.
Planning on another trip today for some more.
Will be cutting into scales this weekend.

J W

JW thanks, don't mind at all re applying paste wax. good luck with your wood search and thanks again ,Paul

Nice job Gary!
Repairing and customizing is more addictive than collecting.