Cheap Boker repair

[Reverand]

So I picked up a US Boker very cheap, with a missing shield and shrinking MOTS handles.

I thought that I would try the "low tech shield replacement" trick, as explained here:
viewtopic.php?f=37&t=62273
I added a couple of drops of blue Testors modeling paint to some clear epoxy.

I loved the way it looked, and then asked myself, "Self, why don't we try that in those gaps where the handles are shrinking away from the bolsters?"
"Sure" (Self is easily talked into trying stupid things).

I had thought that it would make a crisp blue line between the handle and the bolster after sanding it down.

I hadn't thought about how the handle had shrunken thinner, as well as shorter. So the "thin blue line" kinda tapers off, and generally looks tacky.
So if anyone else thinks about a project like this on an old beater EDC, use a color that even sort-of matches the handle color (I should have tried with white - that would have looked better).
Still, I will use it until I get tired enough of it to replace the handles.

[cody6268]

My user 3588 is about the same. I use that sucker hard, so I've never really cared about the shield.

Great job! I have some Testors metallic silver I bought to do a Mustang in, but it's been sitting around for years--I wonder how that would turn out. Maybe I ought to try it.


That knife is the very same one that outgassed and made a big mess out of Granddad's collection. Watch it like a hawk!

[Reverand]

Thanks Cody, I will do that. I didn't even think that it might be celluloid - I just thought of plastic. I will test it and if celluloid, then it will get some new handles sooner rather than later! The main blade has been tipped, so I am not ever going to put too much effort into this knife.

And I believe that silver would look perfect for the shield.

[Doc B]

The shield part turned out good. I bet you could take a very sharp knife, or razor and "shave" off the thin part...back to a crisp line. That's the beauty of playing with an older knife, like this...you could always replace the entire handle, scale...whatever we decided to call them, this week...at a later time !!!

[Byrd]

I don't think it was a stupid idea. I'd have tried that too...it looks better than it did! Kudos for trying something outside the box$

[Meridian_Mike]

Great idea for a Boker replacement shield! Looks good!

Seems like I saw where one guy put a 223 cartridge rim in the hole. Looked pretty good. (Just make sure it doesn't have a live primer......LOL)

What is the deal with Boker's launching out their shields?

[Reverand]

Boker ought to sell replacement shields. They could really rake in the dough!

[Meridian_Mike]

Boker ought to sell replacement shields. They could really rake in the dough!

LOL... ain't that the truth!