Having seen those old scout knives with a compass mounted in the handle I fancy giving it a try.
My question is how were they mounted so that the carbon blades didn't interfere with it's performance
pocket knife compass project
Re: pocket knife compass project
Sounds like an interesting idea, but I think it's why most survival knives/kits A: have the compass either glued in the aluminum/brass pommel, or B: stored separately, either in a hollow handle or in a pouch on the sheath. And, for the most part, I don't think the compasses were really that good/reliable anyway, and the compass thing was mostly a gimmick.
The cobalt alloy "steel" David Boye uses in his rigging knives is intentionally non-magnetic. But, I don't think it actually has any iron in it.
The cobalt alloy "steel" David Boye uses in his rigging knives is intentionally non-magnetic. But, I don't think it actually has any iron in it.
Re: pocket knife compass project
Do you think Brass liners would offer protection?
Re: pocket knife compass project
I read something about those years back and had wondered about it until then. If I remember correctly, you had to have the knife blade in a particular position to cause the compass to read correctly, and then like Cody said, they weren't a very good compass to bet your life on. I have a few around here someplace and I did get one to sort of work. I have no idea where any of them are at the moment. ____Dave
- 1967redrider
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 16106
- Joined: Wed Feb 02, 2011 4:23 pm
- Location: Alexandria, VA
- Contact:
Re: pocket knife compass project
I have one of those old Cattaraugus scouts and the compass is dead as a door nail, regardless of how you position the blades. I think they just lose their magnetism over time. Not sure if you could fix that . . .
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!
You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
Re: pocket knife compass project
KA-BAR made some big coke bottle folding hunters with celluloid scales with a compass in them. Some of these KA-BARs (but not all of them) have "Open blade to use compass" stamped into the celluloid. I am also sure that the cheap little compasses would not be very accurate or hol their magnetism over time being so close to the steel.
Re: pocket knife compass project
this is what I wondered1967redrider wrote: ↑Wed Dec 25, 2019 5:00 pm I have one of those old Cattaraugus scouts and the compass is dead as a door nail, regardless of how you position the blades. I think they just lose their magnetism over time. Not sure if you could fix that . . .
I fancied sticking a county comms Thumb Tac Compass in an old jack knife that needs new scales for a bit of fun but I wanted it to work
I suppose its small enought to replace it for a shield if it does break
Re: pocket knife compass project
I would try it. Sounds like a fun project!
Jesus is life.
Everything else is just a hobby.
~Reverand
Everything else is just a hobby.
~Reverand