89OT repair / fix 'er up

[royal0014]

Excellent work Mike! Appreciate the in-process pictures, too.
Takes talent and patience I'll never possess . . . .

[Ivoryman]

Loved reading and re-reading how you did it. Lots of good info, I will use some on a blade blank I'm putting antlers on. The one thing I don't get is how you sanded down the rough cut pins and peened them WITHOUT marring the saw cut bone at all? And same on the bolsters. Your work is impressive here. When I cut the pins down to size and try carefully to sand/grind down the last little bit, I always end up nicking the antler right next to the pin and dinging it up a bit when I want it to remain pristine like yours. Got a suggestion or method you would share? Thanks so much for all the walk through and photos of the step by step. Very very helpful and appreciated. You and Jeffin have so improved the look and use of old Schrades. Love the helpful hints you provided. Thanks, thanks, thanks. Keep up the great work, that looks fabulous now, blows the Delrin away! Gorgeous bone bud.

[Meridian_Mike]

.... The one thing I don't get is how you sanded down the rough cut pins and peened them WITHOUT marring the saw cut bone at all? And same on the bolsters. Your work is impressive here. When I cut the pins down to size and try carefully to sand/grind down the last little bit, I always end up nicking the antler right next to the pin and dinging it up a bit when I want it to remain pristine like yours. Got a suggestion or method you would share?

I am always trying new methods to keep the dings and marks off the bone at the rocker pin.
What I did this time was to go ahead and create a "head" on the rocker pin in a vice. That way, one side is already done. Then, I get the pin in place and cut it to a length of about 1/16 or so just above the surface of the bone. Then, I file the end of the pin flat for a good peening surface. THIS TIME and for the first time I tried this...., I put some painter's tape around the pin at the bone while I was peening. That way, as the hammer glanced off OR if I missed, the tape would hopefully reduce the damage.
I used a similar method at the bolsters. One end of the pin has a head created in a vice. I also slightly countersink the bolsters so there will be an area to create a definite HOLD of the pin to the bolster. The "Fan out" effect of the pin inside the bolster give the pin a definite HOLD to the bolster and keeps the blade "wobble" at a minimum over time.
As far as the final peening of any pin, I make sure I peen slowly. I barely put any force to the hammer. It is almost like the weight of the hammer is doing all the work. It will take several minutes to peen my pins. That way, I also hope to keep the internal swell of the pin stock at the hole thru the blade to a minimum.

Maybe Jeff can tell us a little about how he does his pins. I just came up with this idea about how to finish pins on my own.

I hope this helps.

[Ivoryman]

.... The one thing I don't get is how you sanded down the rough cut pins and peened them WITHOUT marring the saw cut bone at all? And same on the bolsters. Your work is impressive here. When I cut the pins down to size and try carefully to sand/grind down the last little bit, I always end up nicking the antler right next to the pin and dinging it up a bit when I want it to remain pristine like yours. Got a suggestion or method you would share?

I am always trying new methods to keep the dings and marks off the bone at the rocker pin.
What I did this time was to go ahead and create a "head" on the rocker pin in a vice. That way, one side is already done. Then, I get the pin in place and cut it to a length of about 1/16 or so just above the surface of the bone. Then, I file the end of the pin flat for a good peening surface. THIS TIME and for the first time I tried this...., I put some painter's tape around the pin at the bone while I was peening. That way, as the hammer glanced off OR if I missed, the tape would hopefully reduce the damage.
I used a similar method at the bolsters. One end of the pin has a head created in a vice. I also slightly countersink the bolsters so there will be an area to create a definite HOLD of the pin to the bolster. The "Fan out" effect of the pin inside the bolster give the pin a definite HOLD to the bolster and keeps the blade "wobble" at a minimum over time.
As far as the final peening of any pin, I make sure I peen slowly. I barely put any force to the hammer. It is almost like the weight of the hammer is doing all the work. It will take several minutes to peen my pins. That way, I also hope to keep the internal swell of the pin stock at the hole thru the blade to a minimum.

Maybe Jeff can tell us a little about how he does his pins. I just came up with this idea about how to finish pins on my own.

I hope this helps.

Helps a lot. Thanks so much for the details, I never would have thought of swelling one side of the pin before inserting. Will try that. Sounds obvious now you mention it. Also will go with a couple layers of tape to protect the covers. Snd I'm peening to fast, to hard as you point out. I did not think just the weight of the hammer would do it. Another light bulb. Many Thanks for taking time to explain it. Can't tell you how much it helps and is appreciated. Really cool of you to explain clearly for those of us whodon't get the finer points. All the best bud.

[Meridian_Mike]

You are very welcome!
Glad I could help!

[orvet]

Fantastic work Mike! The bone handles make that knife a work of art! Beautiful job!

[Meridian_Mike]

Thanks Dale!

[Bloodhound]

Very nice, a great save!

[herbva]

Great work Mike! You've turned that one into a unique and beautiful work of art buddy.

[Ivoryman]

Great pics and step by step descriptions. Loved reading through this, really helps someone unaquainted with pinning and peening and setting covers to be able to visualize and follow the steps. Beautiful job and bones. Thanks again.

[Meridian_Mike]

Thanks for all the good words everyone!
As I said, I don't want to toot my own horn with this thread. I want to show some future knife mechanic a way to accomplish a restoration or repair. I am sure other mechanics do things different than I do but the results are similar and satisfying. So what if you mess up. I have and beginners usually will. Just keep at it and enjoy the process.
Get a knife with potential and have a good time!

[TripleF]

Amazing!!!

[Jeffinn]

That turned out great Mike!
Jeff

[Meridian_Mike]

Thanks guys!