All About Pocket Knives

I know this subject has been discussed at length, as I serached the keyword "Swinden"
I have been aware of the Swinden pin system through collecting the early Buck 300 series knives, made by Schrade
I read posts, tututorials, veiwed videos, etc on the subject, and understand the mechanics of the Swinden method

Bottom line, my take on Swinden method pin system knives

If you have a blade that does wobble a bit more than generally acceptable to you, short of a rebuild you can either

- Sell it
- Give it away
- Live with it

If I missed something, please comment

Have you checked out Kaleb's video?
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... 38&t=30562

He did an outstanding job on the video. The process is so simple that it can be done with hand tools; power tools not required. If all you are trying to do is make the knife functional, as opposed to making it pretty, it is very easy.

Converting the Swinden pins to through pins is a far cry from a rebuild!

Personally I like the Swinden pin knives. If you pry with a knife you deserve of sloppy blade, IMHO. Aside from using the knife is a pry bar, or other forms of abuse and neglect (excessive moisture or lack of lubrication), the Swinden system is extremely effective. Schrade used it for over 40 years and it took them to the position of number one knife producing company in the world. It was a faster and less expensive because it required less hands-on labor than the through pin method, and kept the price of the finished product down.

My personal preference for the Swinden knives is two fold; 1-there was a large range of patterns made in carbon steel, 2-the knives have a softer snap than most other knives made with through pin construction. I like the softer snap because of injuries and arthritis in my hands. It makes opening a knife much less painful for me.

You don't have to worry about buying new knives made with the Swinden system. Schrade was the only company that had the Swinden machinery. The only knives you'll find made with the Swinden system are Schrades, brands owned by Schrade (such as some of the Imperials or knives that were made by Schrade for other companies. Dave Swinden, the inventor, worked for Schrade. No other knife company used that machinery. The Chinese copies of Schrade are not made with Swinden system. I am afraid Swinden knives are just another, now completed, chapter of cutlery history.

orvet wrote:Have you checked out Kaleb's video?
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... 38&t=30562

He did an outstanding job on the video. The process is so simple that it can be done with hand tools; power tools not required. If all you are trying to do is make the knife functional, as opposed to making it pretty, it is very easy.

Converting the Swinden pins to through pins is a far cry from a rebuild!

Personally I like the Swinden pin knives. If you pry with a knife you deserve of sloppy blade, IMHO. Aside from using the knife is a pry bar, or other forms of abuse and neglect (excessive moisture or lack of lubrication), the Swinden system is extremely effective. Schrade used it for over 40 years and it took them to the position of number one knife producing company in the world. It was a faster and less expensive because it required less hands-on labor than the through pin method, and kept the price of the finished product down.

My personal preference for the Swinden knives is two fold; 1-there was a large range of patterns made in carbon steel, 2-the knives have a softer snap than most other knives made with through pin construction. I like the softer snap because of injuries and arthritis in my hands. It makes opening a knife much less painful for me.

You don't have to worry about buying new knives made with the Swinden system. Schrade was the only company that had the Swinden machinery. The only knives you'll find made with the Swinden system are Schrades, brands owned by Schrade (such as some of the Imperials or knives that were made by Schrade for other companies. Dave Swinden, the inventor, worked for Schrade. No other knife company used that machinery. The Chinese copies of Schrade are not made with Swinden system. I am afraid Swinden knives are just another, now completed, chapter of cutlery history.

I do appreciate the feedback Orvet
I totally agree, use the blade as a pry bar, and you deserve a loose blade as a result
Yes, I have seen the Muskrat man video and it is really good
The process is a bit above my comfort level
I may give a it try one day, with a Schrade I would not care if it was butchered up
My method of tightening a blade has been the primitive " whack the exposed pin" with mostly good, some not so good results
Thanks