All About Pocket Knives

I have been wanting to try my hand at replacing the scales on a few old/broken knives that I have laying around. So I chose an old Colonial USA. The scales were hanging on by a thread. It was actually an old knife of my grandfathers. I picked up some rough bone material from a local dealer. This stuff was fresh out of the dye vat and black as soot. I haven't purchased any special tools yet, not knowing if I would be able to do it. So all I used was fine 300 grit sand paper and 0000 steel wool on the blades, liners etc. A table saw to cut the bone material close to size and an old table mounted grinder with "4 -"5 wheels to finish. A dremel to remove enough material for the pins etc. to get a tight fit. I glued them on using some two part locktite that I picked up at the depot.

This knife was in horrid condition tarnished black and rusted through out. The blades would barely open with no snap. Now it's clean and rust/tarnish free inside and out and the blades have nice snap. I know that it's simplistic and novice to say the least. I have some Flitz on the way and hopefully I will get a better shine from the blades. However, I am proud that I was able to accomplish to this end product.

What is the best way to continue to lighten the bone? After finishing the knife I washed it under warm water with dish soap and a soft bristle brush. The water ran reddish brown from the dye, to leave the color a little lighter but not necessarily the amber that the dealer claims that they were dyed.

Any other help/criticism would be appreciated. Before I try this on something more than a cheap throw away!

Nice worm groove ! You did a great job for your first time out.

As for lightening the scales, some folk suggest using denatured alcohol ( I believe ) to remove some of the dye. I didn't have too much success with it, but then again...... I probably did something wrong.

My new method ........ I take a orbital sander, and use a layer of blue jean material instead of sandpaper, and lock it into the sander. Use a little meguires polishing compound, and hold the sander between your knees. (I tried to clamp it to my bench, but it vibrated everything off the top)
Then I just work the knife over the surface until I get that "pocket worn" look. I'm sure sure it can be done more efficiently, but I'm a bit of a redneck sometimes......

Thx toejammer!

Just to clarify. I did not jigg the bone it was pre jigged and dyed. I bought the two peice set it measured "4 1/2 by "1 1/2 by "1/8. I couldn't find any online in that length in "1/8, it was all thicker in lengths more than "3 inches and I felt like it would be to thick for this knife. Just happened to stumble on a local dealer that had the size/width that would work.

If you have some 3M 400 grit polishing paper that will lighten it up some by removing the outer part of the bone which is usually lighter.
Alcohol will lighten some dyes that are alcohol based but won’t work on others.
If you have a buffer and a coarse compound on a soft buff that will lighten it some too, just don’t get the bone too hot and burn it.


Nice job BTW!

Acetone might cut some of the dye for you, but if you have a high speed buffer, quite often that is what it takes to lighten the material to the color it was advertised to be (most of it looks black when it's fresh from the dying process). Also, using a bit of 600-800 wet/dry sandpaper on a marble block (or other very flat surface) holding the blade flat and rubbing it from tip to tang (never side to side) will help the blade shine. Once all the underlaying marks are gone, step up to 1000-1200 grit for an almost mirror finish using the same process. All the above suggestions are good. This is just how I do it.

Knice job bro, especially for your first time out!!

That's some crazy nice bone. Nice rehab!

I don't have anything to add regarding the dye lightening, I just wanted to comment on the nice work.

Glenn

Thanks everybody.

I ordered three more sets in advance today. The guy says it's in the dye vat and will be ready tomorrow!! I'm going to use it on three other similar colonials, for more practice, and make my self a little custom set to put in the case. Might even try transfering the sheild on one?