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My 2nd and 3rd Attempts At Knife Restoration

Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2020 11:27 pm
by Jerlin
I joined the forum back in May. My first post was about restoring a Camco Camp Knife that I have had since I was a Boy Scout. My second post was about a Camillus 64 that I had when I was in high school. I damaged the spey blade and sharpened the awl on the 64 (both my stupidity). The plastic handles on both knives had shrunk and cracked. Attached are photos of the Camp Knife after I had removed the damaged handles. I didn't take any photos of the 64.
Camco Camp Knife with handles removed
Camco Camp Knife with handles removed
Camco Camp Knife with handles removed
Camco Camp Knife with handles removed
I found a cheap 64 that had a good spey blade and awl. I decided to practice on the cheap 64 first before I tackled my 64 and Camp Knife. After taking both the cheap 64 and my 64 apart, I swapped the spey blades and awls. I then reassembled the cheap 64 replacing the plastic handles with bone handles. It turned out pretty well, but I did make some mistakes (thanks to those who suggested doing a practice knife first).

Next I added Rough Rider black jigged bone handles and then reassembled my 64 and then the Camp Knife. I took a shortcut on the Camp Knife by only removing the rocker pin and two springs in order to put the handles on. Both knives went back together fairly easily after some of you offered some tips on compressing the springs and putting the rocker pins in. While I was sanding the black jigged bone handles, some of the black dye came off around the edges and around the jigs. I kind of like the look, so I think I'm going to leave them like that even though the original handles were black.

Here are some photos. I didn't take any of the practice knife.
Restored Camillus 64 and Camco Camp Knife
Restored Camillus 64 and Camco Camp Knife
Restored Camillus 64 and Camco Camp Knife
Restored Camillus 64 and Camco Camp Knife
Thank you to all who gave great advise and encouragement. I'm not going to make this a fulltime hobby, but at least I feel comfortable now taking a knife apart, cleaning it up, and reassembling it.

Jerry Johnson

Re: My 2nd and 3rd Attempts At Knife Restoration

Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2020 11:51 pm
by Doc B
Those turned out nice, Jerry! ::tu:: ::tu:: ::tu::

Re: My 2nd and 3rd Attempts At Knife Restoration

Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2020 1:00 am
by glennbad
Looks pretty good from here!

Re: My 2nd and 3rd Attempts At Knife Restoration

Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2020 1:52 am
by Colonel26
Looks good to me! Well done!

Re: My 2nd and 3rd Attempts At Knife Restoration

Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2020 2:05 am
by doglegg
Jerry those turned out good! ::tu::

Re: My 2nd and 3rd Attempts At Knife Restoration

Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2020 2:06 am
by cudgee
::tu:: ::tu:: ::tu::

Re: My 2nd and 3rd Attempts At Knife Restoration

Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2020 3:33 am
by Reverand
Very nice!
That bone looks brown now, which happens a lot. Most of them look much darker before hafting the bone down to fit the knife. But it is a great look, and I think it is light-years ahead of the original plastic handles! Good job, sir!

Re: My 2nd and 3rd Attempts At Knife Restoration

Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2020 9:24 am
by royal0014
Shweet !
Couple of knice re-do's
::tu::

Re: My 2nd and 3rd Attempts At Knife Restoration

Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2020 10:53 am
by herbva
Very nice work! I really like the way those scales turned out. But be careful - this little hobby can be quite addicting! ::tu:: ::tu::

Re: My 2nd and 3rd Attempts At Knife Restoration

Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2020 6:41 pm
by carrmillus
.........A+!!!, wish my eyes were young enough to do that!!!............................ ::tu:: ::tu:: ::tu:: ........................

Re: My 2nd and 3rd Attempts At Knife Restoration

Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2020 6:44 pm
by OLDE CUTLER
Yes sir, turned out great! A good old knife to restore and EDC.

Re: My 2nd and 3rd Attempts At Knife Restoration

Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2020 9:39 pm
by WillyCamaro
Wonderful restore sir!

I would be more then pleased if my 2nd & 3rd attempt at restoring knives, turned out as good as yours.

Well done ::tu:: .

Re: My 2nd and 3rd Attempts At Knife Restoration

Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2020 1:37 am
by Winchester M21
Very nice!!

Re: My 2nd and 3rd Attempts At Knife Restoration

Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2020 12:46 pm
by Meridian_Mike
Very Nice work Jerry!!
One thing about working on knives..... you WILL make mistakes.
BUT, when you do, don't get discouraged, just learn from your mistake and move on. Mistakes are lessons for "what not to do next time."
Keep up the good work!

::tu::

Re: My 2nd and 3rd Attempts At Knife Restoration

Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2020 8:45 pm
by Jerlin
I appreciate all the kudos on my work. It was challenging at times, but many of you help me through the difficulties and encouraged me. And it did get easier on each attempt. I think I'm going to have fun with my new part time hobby.

Jerry