Functional repair of missing pocket knife bolster

[brentonthack]

Hello,
I have an old Schrade pocket knife that doesn’t hold any sentimental value, but it’s a great size for everyday use and carry. It’s an older model made in New York. Unfortunately, one of the bolsters is missing, which causes one of the blades to wiggle while in use. I doubt I can find a replacement part without cannibalizing another knife, and I’m not interested in doing that. Does anyone have suggestions for a fix that would restore its function without affecting its appearance?

[glennbad]

That fix would most likely require a donor knife with a similar bolster or making a replacement bolster out of NS stock. Even if you found a bolster or made one, now you have to think about how that's going to permanently attach to the brass liner. That could be epoxy, but I don't think that would hold together well at all. The alternative is to turn the knife into a through-bolster pinning, as opposed to the Swinden rivet assembly seen in the pic.

Does this knife have sentimental value (family heirloom)? If not, and you really like the knife, you should consider replacing the entire front side cover assembly from a donor knife. That way you can maintain the Swinden rivet assembly.

[beresman]

If you're looking for a purely functional fix, I wonder if you can't find a snap ring that would be the correct diameter and thickness to fit under the head of that pin and stop the wobble?

[Reverand]

I have several Schrade knives that have already been cannibalized for parts, and likely have a bolster that would fit, but as Glennbad said you do not have a good way to attach it. The knife could be taken apart and a bolster peened on or soldered on, but you have to know how to do all that.
I have made a bolster for a similar Schrade Trapper but it had to be through-pinned to work.
There are several knife mechanics on here who can fix it, but it may cost more than the knife is really worth, and most of us have a backlog of work already.

[brentonthack]

That fix would most likely require a donor knife with a similar bolster or making a replacement bolster out of NS stock. Even if you found a bolster or made one, now you have to think about how that's going to permanently attach to the brass liner. That could be epoxy, but I don't think that would hold together well at all. The alternative is to turn the knife into a through-bolster pinning, as opposed to the Swinden rivet assembly seen in the pic.

Does this knife have sentimental value (family heirloom)? If not, and you really like the knife, you should consider replacing the entire front side cover assembly from a donor knife. That way you can maintain the Swinden rivet assembly.

Thanks for your answer.