All About Pocket Knives

Howdy all, Iwant to know the best way to straighten a leather punch on a boy scout knife, heat and bend or cold hammer it ? What temp if heating or will that ruin it?

First of all;how badly is the blade bent? I have tried straightening blades cold and usually wind up with a broken blade.You might try running a file across the blade to test the hardness where the blade is bent.Most blades I have seen are differentially hardened;that is the spine and tang is usually a bit softer than the edge.

If it were my knife I would try clamping the blade in a vise with the edge of the jaw right on where the bend is and then gradually applying pressure to straighten it.Do it a little bit at a time and it may work.I don't advocate using a hammer for anything other than pounding nails or destroying something.

I would not advise heating the blade as it will likely lose the temper of the blade and possibly melt or burn the scales of the knife.

Thanks knife7, it's only out about 1/8" just enuff to hit the liner when closing I'll try the cold bend, worst case I get another punch and repair ::You sure it just does'nt need a BIGGER hammer?

Leather punches usually bend back around the tang. I'd personally set it between the slightly-opened jaws of a vise and gently lever against them. I've also broken one of the dozen or so I've done this way, so I'm offering it as a possible though potentially risky way to straighten it. Wear safety glasses if you try it . . . .

my eye!!!!!!!!!!!!! thanks for the advice