Broken spring

[Doug N]

Hey everyone, new here. This a is a great site glad I found it. I have an old Imperial knife with a broken spring, can anybody tell me how to remove the scales without completely screwing them up? They aren't pinned but have a bent over tab.

[Bill DeShivs]

If you are lucky, they can be unbent/rebent once.

[Reverand]

Here is a video where I disassemble and repair an Imperial.
Hopefully it will help you.

https://youtu.be/pcoCjGMr9bg?si=MNu-hi-fEhejF3GE

[ThatWeirdKnifeGuy]

A small flat head works. I have a cheap set of precision screwdrivers specifically for the task. For about 2 dollars you can get a set. You can then modify one by locking the tip in a vice and bending it 90 for easier prying.

The tabs themselves shouldn't be bent past 90 or they'll probably break.

If the tabs do break off, the scales can be put back on with epoxy. Or a scale from a donor knife can be used, they're not difficult to find.

[Doug N]

Thanks for all the help guys. I did get the scales off, they were made better than I thought and didn't look like they had ever been bent or taken off. I wanted to keep these as I've never seen this color combination, they are usually brown and cream. I think the knife is from the 40's so now I need to find a replacement spring and try to get that put in.

[Doug N]

[Reverand]

Interesting! I don't believe that I have ever seen one with a sweater blade before!
If you can PM me the length and thickness of that back spring, I believe that I have a few from some Imperial knives. If I do, I will mail it to you for free.

[Doug N]

PM sent. Thank you very much!