blade work

[shugy]

Howdy all, Iwant to know the best way to straighten a leather punch on a boy scout knife, heat and bend or cold hammer it ? What temp if heating or will that ruin it?

[knife7knut]

First of all;how badly is the blade bent? I have tried straightening blades cold and usually wind up with a broken blade.You might try running a file across the blade to test the hardness where the blade is bent.Most blades I have seen are differentially hardened;that is the spine and tang is usually a bit softer than the edge.

If it were my knife I would try clamping the blade in a vise with the edge of the jaw right on where the bend is and then gradually applying pressure to straighten it.Do it a little bit at a time and it may work.I don't advocate using a hammer for anything other than pounding nails or destroying something.

I would not advise heating the blade as it will likely lose the temper of the blade and possibly melt or burn the scales of the knife.

[shugy]

Thanks knife7, it's only out about 1/8" just enuff to hit the liner when closing I'll try the cold bend, worst case I get another punch and repair ::You sure it just does'nt need a BIGGER hammer?

[coffeecup]

Leather punches usually bend back around the tang. I'd personally set it between the slightly-opened jaws of a vise and gently lever against them. I've also broken one of the dozen or so I've done this way, so I'm offering it as a possible though potentially risky way to straighten it. Wear safety glasses if you try it . . . .

[shugy]

my eye!!!!!!!!!!!!! thanks for the advice