All About Pocket Knives

I picked up this old Imperial folder in the last POS exchange. After looking it over, I thought that it was too rough to try to fix up. But then I recalled how these old Imperials will take an edge like nothing else and decided to rehandle it into a EDC. It had lots of rust on it, the blades and the steel bolsters were heavily pitted, and the handles were shrunk and cracked. I did not want to try to remove all the pitting, or too much metal would have to be removed. Just a derusting and rehandle from the old black composition ones to new ones from ebony, and a repinning with coat hanger wire. This one has the tang stamp used from 1936-1952, and is similar to a camper/scout knife except that it has a pen blade instead of the awl, and has no carry bail.
Oh, and the edge, working it with the diamond stones on the Lansky produced an edge that did not disappoint. Makes a good beater EDC.
Before After

Nicely done!

Nice, OC!!!

Wow OC, you turned a sow's ear into a silk purse with that one. You made that one a great looking and useful old knife.

Man yeah!!
That knife looks great! NICE everyday user.

mike

Cool, looks great!

Good work OC.
I like to idea of coat hanger wire. Have not sourced that into a knife yet.

Nice job!
With a little care and maintenance that will last someone a lifetime.

Tony_Wood wrote:Good work OC.
I like to idea of coat hanger wire. Have not sourced that into a knife yet.

Works good for the old knives with steel bolsters. This coat hanger was .087" diameter, they vary in size by manufacturers. It is soft enough to peen over well. Spin the pieces in the drill with sandpaper to take the paint off.

Nice! Love the ebony!

Love it!
Now i know all my mint (and not so mint) Imperials can be saved...
Great job OLDE!
Willy

Good Job OC, I too like to give new life to old knives. A lot of years left in the ole girl, thanks to you;. Terry