All About Pocket Knives

I picked up this Schrade-Walden at the flea market this weekend for $5.

As you can see it is missing a spacer.

I have a few questions. Where can I get the spacer if available? Do I have to work it? Can I use other material if the original is not available.

Next major question is how to get the end off the knife. Most I have seen are open and are peened to secure. This one is closed. I do not want to damage it more. I know it looks rough but it actually seems in good shape. I think the material on the handle can be removed easy enough.

Thanks for you help.

The spacer you are missing is a red one similar to the rear spacer.Rather than trying to disassemble the knife I would opt to make a spacer in two pieces and superglue them together around the tang and finish them with a file and sandpaper.I have one of them and although the quality isn't too bad the blade is plated(and rusted the same as mine)and would be difficult to clean.The handle looks like it has either white paint or mold on it.That could be cleaned up with some sandpaper and polished and sealed.The value is minimal even in mint condition but would be a nice user.

I think it is white paint. I put more value on the use of it than resale. I have six grandsons that will get everything and they will have their whole life to make it useless.

The front of the blade looks like it is charred a bit but for my purpose it will be fine.

So I will take you up on that offer. PM me for a an amount.

Jim

Here is what a Schrade Walden H-15 should look like.
The other knife in the picture is a version made by Schrade Walden for Craftsman (Sears).

I am thinking of going another way with this knife. I would like to hear any opinions.

I was able to get the butt cap off without much problem.

I cleaned the paint off the leather on a scotch brite belt then took it apart. I kept all the washers etc in order on a file. Then I cleaned all the gunk off the blade with the scotch brite.

I had reviewed a tutorial a few days ago about cutting horn so I measured the inside of one I got at the flea market then cut the end off. It is a good sized chunk.

I plan on making new spacers with the solid horn.

I was also thinking about conditioning each leather washer with either neat's-foot oil or mink oil prior to reassemble. What is the forums thought on this? I figured they are a little dried out so with it all apart I can extend their life a bit.

I was also going to make one of the spacers just a tad thicker than the original to compensate for some of the leather shrinkage. Again, what are the forums thought on that?

This is my second venture into leather handles. The first one, was a Schrade-Walden in horrible condition that I still have not cut the washers for. I was going to use it as a truck knife so if my truck gets stolen again I will not be out much.

The worst that can happen I figure is I will learn something from this adventure.

Jim

orvet wrote:Here is what a Schrade Walden H-15 should look like.
The other knife in the picture is a version made by Schrade Walden for Craftsman (Sears).

Schrade H-15 & Craftsman version.jpg

My other Schrade-Walden looks a lot like the bottom knife in the picture. I have a lot of work to do on it just to make it worthy of occupying space in my Ford truck...........lol

There are usually some precut leather rings on ebay or you can order some from Jantz Supply.

The way you are going about the repair makes sense to me.
I would approach it much the same way.

If you use Neetsfoot oil make sure it's the pure neetsfoot and not neetsfoot compound. The compound could further damage the leather.

Personally I'd probably use something like Obenauf's.

Looks like a first rate restoration under way!

I have never heard of Obenauf's. but I will check it out as soon as I am done with this post.

The Neetsfoot oil I have may be old and I am not sure of the type.

I have had good luck with Mink oil on baseball gloves as it is more like Vaseline. I am almost out so will have to look for some more either way.

Looks like I have some homework.

Thanks for the help and encouragement!

Jim

I am moving this to the Knife Repair & Restoration forum.
We try & keep the repairs together for the guys who like to follow them.

Ammojim wrote:I have never heard of Obenauf's. but I will check it out as soon as I am done with this post.

The Neetsfoot oil I have may be old and I am not sure of the type.

I have had good luck with Mink oil on baseball gloves as it is more like Vaseline. I am almost out so will have to look for some more either way.

Looks like I have some homework.

Thanks for the help and encouragement!

Jim

Mink oil has a lot of petroleum in it. I'm not against using a petroleum product to clean, but it will leach oil out of the leather and further deteriorate it.

Old neetsfoot oil should be fine as long as it's 100% and nit the compound.

Looks like you are on the right track. I recently repaired a Mk11 that was missing two leather washers. Found some new ones on ebay but they were natural colored. I dyed them in with some Fieblings dark brown leather dye, made one cut and glued them in place on the tang with epoxy. (I didn't take the knife apart)Then I filed them down to the right size and applied Montana Pitch Blend (its made into a paste wax out of mink oil, pine pitch, and beeswax). You can find it on ebay or go to google and search for Montana Pitch Blend. It makes the leather water proof and I have used it for years on my homemade knife sheaths.

That is a nice repair.

I put mine aside for now while enjoyed Super Bowl weekend. I live three miles from the stadium.

I also worked on taking apart some folders.

I am going to start back on this knife this week. Hopefully I will have some progress to report. Things are slow as I work the knives as I feel like it, in between honey do's!