All About Pocket Knives

I just got a cool old all metal knife off the bay.
It has a patriotic theme with a Flag and USA stamped into the metal.
I am pretty certain it's not real thick metal on the handles. It needs a good cleaning and tightening at the blade pin.

I want it clean and nice looking.

Have y'all ever worked on any knives like this?
What would be a pit fall I need to watch for?
It looks to be all steel..... NO BRASS...

I REALLY don't want to screw up this little guy. I am not exactly certain about the size. I hope it is a "normal" size knife (3" or so).
Thanks in advance for the advice.

Mike

Good luck!
I have never worked or anything like that, but one thing I would be leery of is electrolysis caused by dissimilar metals.
Certain dissimilar metals, for example aluminum and steel and actually have a small current flow between them caused by their dissimilar natures. The result is, in the case of a pin, that a corrosion takes place that really serves to lock the pin in. I believe this is one of the reasons it's so hard to remove the pins from the aluminum pommel on the Western.

Aside from that, have fun!

Oh yes.... I'm sure I will have fun with it.....LOL.
Dang... never thought about the dissimilar metals thing. Dog gone chemistry!

Well.... we shall see.

Meridian_Mike wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 12:49 pm I just got a cool old all metal knife off the bay.
It has a patriotic theme with a Flag and USA stamped into the metal.
I am pretty certain it's not real thick metal on the handles. It needs a good cleaning and tightening at the blade pin.

I want it clean and nice looking.

Have y'all ever worked on any knives like this?
What would be a pit fall I need to watch for?
It looks to be all steel..... NO BRASS...

I REALLY don't want to screw up this little guy. I am not exactly certain about the size. I hope it is a "normal" size knife (3" or so).

mark side.jpg
pile side.jpg
back.jpg

Thanks in advance for the advice.

Mike

Hey Mike, just curious, is that Armstrong Cutlery Company on the tang?

New_Windsor_NY wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 2:51 pm

Hey Mike, just curious, is that Armstrong Cutlery Company on the tang?

Hey Skip.... how's it going?
Uhhhh yep, I think it is.....
Here is a POOR pic of the nasty tang stamp. It does look like "Armstrong".
I can't tell what city..... Probably some where in NY...
Mike

Mike I'd be a little leery of doing any kind of buffing. It looks like there is some color variation on the stripes of the flag, and you might wind up polishing that right off, winding up with just a monotone knife.

Eric

Meridian_Mike wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 2:57 pm

New_Windsor_NY wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 2:51 pm

Hey Mike, just curious, is that Armstrong Cutlery Company on the tang?

Hey Skip.... how's it going?
Uhhhh yep, I think it is.....
Here is a POOR pic of the nasty tang stamp. It does look like "Armstrong".
I can't tell what city..... Probably some where in NY...

s-l1600 (4).jpg

Mike

That would date it to 1901. Nice pick-up Mike!

New_Windsor_NY wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 3:12 pm
That would date it to 1901. Nice pick-up Mike!

Dang.... REALLY?

Man, I sure 'nuff better be careful. That puts the pressure on.....

Meridian_Mike wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 3:18 pm

New_Windsor_NY wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 3:12 pm
That would date it to 1901. Nice pick-up Mike!

Dang.... REALLY?

Man, I sure 'nuff better be careful. That puts the pressure on.....

When I google Armstrong Cutlery Company, it comes up Germany.
It looks like it might say Germany on the tang stamp, under Cutlery Co.

New_Windsor_NY wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 3:21 pm
When I google Armstrong Cutlery Company, it comes up Germany.
It looks like it says Germany on the tang stamp, under Cutlery Co.

10-4...
Thanks for the research Skip!

Mike, according to Goins there was an Armstrong Cutlery operating in the US from 1901 to 1909 and one in Germany (maybe the same company) operating in Germany from 1901 to 1909. The Germany is supposed to be stamped inside a circle on the tang, so I wonder if your is the US version? I have seen all metal knives like yours that were made for advertising purposes. I clean dirty incoming knives with WD40 and a rag or maybe 0000 steel wool if there is serious rust and crud to remove. But, as already mentioned, I would go very carefully if something is actually painted on the knife. Have fun!

Thanks Herb!
When it arrives I'll be able to tell a little more about it.

That is going to be one attractive knife when you are done with it.

Go slow. I know lately I have kinda been in a rush to clean up my purchases.
I have not really ruined anything yet, but sometimes I guess I just get so excited!

Post the end results. We will all be interested.

Bob