All About Pocket Knives

So, I just couldn't resist this Cattaraugus elephant toe with a busted spring on the bay, and it arrived yesterday. Before I tear into it and start a restoration, I thought I would solicit opinions about replacing or repairing the broken spring. Lately, I've seen some amazing jobs done on welding broken blades back together, and am wondering if welding might work on this spring and would it actually be strong enough to hold up in the long run? Or, should I engage one of the professionals to fabricate a completely new one? I have quite a few old springs in my parts collection, but none of them are thick or sturdy enough to try modifying one as a replacement. I also doubt that I would have much luck in finding a replacement spring that matches this one. Any thoughts or recommendations would be welcome!

Looks like a knife well worth restoring. The broken spring likely kept the blades from the kind abuse you see so often on these old toe knives. Not sure about welding but if the knife was mine I would make a new spring. Having the original for a pattern would put you off to a good start. Using a non stainless steel like O1 would also be a good idea. An epoxy bone patch would also be in order.

btrwtr wrote: ↑Sun Mar 01, 2020 1:06 pm Looks like a knife well worth restoring. The broken spring likely kept the blades from the kind abuse you see so often on these old toe knives. Not sure about welding but if the knife was mine I would make a new spring. Having the original for a pattern would put you off to a good start. Using a non stainless steel like O1 would also be a good idea. An epoxy bone patch would also be in order.

Thanks Wayne. I agree. I think the broken spring is why the blades are in such good shape. I did make sure the seller was sending me the spring pieces and I think it will make a good template. I can handle the epoxy patching and the disassembly and reassembly, but cutting and shaping the right kind of steel to make a new spring and then properly tempering is something I haven't tried.

herbva wrote: ↑Sun Mar 01, 2020 1:40 pm

btrwtr wrote: ↑Sun Mar 01, 2020 1:06 pm Looks like a knife well worth restoring. The broken spring likely kept the blades from the kind abuse you see so often on these old toe knives. Not sure about welding but if the knife was mine I would make a new spring. Having the original for a pattern would put you off to a good start. Using a non stainless steel like O1 would also be a good idea. An epoxy bone patch would also be in order.

Thanks Wayne. I agree. I think the broken spring is why the blades are in such good shape. I did make sure the seller was sending me the spring pieces and I think it will make a good template. I can handle the epoxy patching and the disassembly and reassembly, but cutting and shaping the right kind of steel to make a new spring and then properly tempering is something I haven't tried.

Herb,
Do you have tools and steel for this repair? Forge, drill press, dremel, etc?
I can walk you through my spring hardening and tempering process through pm’s if you do.
If not, send me a pm and we can go from there.

Great looking knife to repair, good luck with it, Herb. Thanks for showing it to me yesterday.

Tony_Wood wrote: ↑Sun Mar 01, 2020 6:45 pm

herbva wrote: ↑Sun Mar 01, 2020 1:40 pm

btrwtr wrote: ↑Sun Mar 01, 2020 1:06 pm Looks like a knife well worth restoring. The broken spring likely kept the blades from the kind abuse you see so often on these old toe knives. Not sure about welding but if the knife was mine I would make a new spring. Having the original for a pattern would put you off to a good start. Using a non stainless steel like O1 would also be a good idea. An epoxy bone patch would also be in order.

Thanks Wayne. I agree. I think the broken spring is why the blades are in such good shape. I did make sure the seller was sending me the spring pieces and I think it will make a good template. I can handle the epoxy patching and the disassembly and reassembly, but cutting and shaping the right kind of steel to make a new spring and then properly tempering is something I haven't tried.

Herb,
Do you have tools and steel for this repair? Forge, drill press, dremel, etc?
I can walk you through my spring hardening and tempering process through pm’s if you do.
If not, send me a pm and we can go from there.

Thanks Tony. I don't have a forge or the right kind of steel. I have been tempted to learn and also, to learn welding. However, for this vintage baby, I don't want to mess it up. I think I am either going to send the broken spring out to have the spring welded back together or pay someone who can make a new one properly. I have the knife all apart now and none of the old springs in my parts collection are anywhere close to wide enough to match the broken one.

What are the dimensions of the spring?

Welding is definitely not the way to go.
Cut a new spring from 1095 steel, fit it, pre-load it by bending, then harden and temper.

If you send it out to be repaired you should send the entire knife and have the spring installed. Sending just the spring might lead to problems. I personally wouldn't want to make a spring without the knife and assembling it to make sure all was correct.

Tony_Wood wrote: ↑Sun Mar 01, 2020 9:52 pm What are the dimensions of the spring?

About 3 1/2 X 1/4 X 1/8. See attached pics. Now that I look at it carefully, welding is out. The break, of course, is at the narrowest point.

Places like Midway, USA have spring stock that is annealed so you can drill it and cut it to shape. Then all you will need to do is harden and temper it.

Ole Larry Potterfield even shows you how to do that on a video.... I think.

Good luck!
That looks like a REAL nice knife!

Herb,
I do not have any material that wide.
3.99 mm = .157087

My stock all ends at .125

Good luck with the repairs.

Tony_Wood wrote: ↑Mon Mar 02, 2020 3:43 pm Herb,
I do not have any material that wide.
3.99 mm = .157087

My stock all ends at .125

Good luck with the repairs.

Thanks for checking on that Tony. Kind of odd that the ends of that spring are so huge and it tapers down to such a narrow, almost fragile spot towards the center. I actually think I have located an original replacement and it will be in the mail tomorrow. Hard to believe and I am keeping my fingers crossed!