Case Sidewinder Knife

[just bob]

This is a very popular and interesting knife style. It is a lockback knife and you release the blade by pushing inward on the Case shield. There is a channel on the inside of the back handle that the lock bar slides into as you press on the shield. The back bolster is hollow and I'm guessing a strong spring goes in there that keep constant pressure on the shield and locking bar. If a spring was in this knife it is missing. Also the previous owner was kind enough to carve his name into the handles. That's is almost scribed so deep it goes into the channel for the locking mechanism. No chance to clean these handles up and they will have to be replaced to match up. These are often converted to autos and I thought posting this would be interesting to others. Anyone have any idea on how you shop for a spring for this? Must be about 1/4" long and I have no idea what tensile strength would be needed. Pretty sure a spring from a ballpoint pen isn't going to cut it. I suppose trial and error until you find one that seems right. If you see one of these knives and the locking mechanism isn't working there is a good chance it is the spring. I suppose you might be able to remove the bolster to replace it and if not taking off the back handle will give you access. I would try and reuse these handles if they didn't have the name carved into them.

[philco]

Please be sure and post some photos of it after you've worked your magic on it. Lots of potential there IMO.

[Miller Bro's]

Bob, thanks for the pictures. I have never seen one of these before

[philco]

I have never seen one of these before

Say what!!!!

[Miller Bro's]

It's too "new " of a knife for me Phil

[just bob]

Way cool and amazing at how much stuff you can find on the Internet. I saw in Steve's book about the patent on this knife and looked it up. Sure enough it came right up to W.R. Case & Sons.


http://www.google.ch/patents/US4274200

[Miller Bro's]

English version.

https://www.google.com/patents/US4274200

[just bob]

Thanks for posting that. Obviously the spring does not work in the hollow bolster but is near the shield area. Even with a picture the details still are uncertain?
Spent some more time studying this and does anyone have any idea why the pin at the top end bolster is brass? That seems to be the way they were all made. I think all of the other Case lockback knives have n/s pins. Why is there an exception on this pattern of knife? Here is a better picture.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Case-XX-Sidewin ... SwSv1XloRf

[just bob]

Ended up sending this off to Kaleb and as usual he did excellent work on it getting it back together. Functions fine and has a beautiful finish. The wood is probably better looking that the original.

[glennbad]

Wow, that is stunning! Kaleb does great work for sure.

[hardman]

That is a fantastic recovery on one of the most interesting knives Case ever made. I say that as a dedicated Case collector. Congrats to you, just bob, and to Kaleb. He has skills for sure.

[1967redrider]

Excellent job!

[keithlong]

Nice save and nice knife. Would not mind having one of them myself.Would be cool with deer stag on it.