Western camper - altered

[Reverand]

I got this Western camper knife with a broken spring for $0.99 plus shipping from eBay. I have not been able to do any "knife therapy" in months, but finally got the chance to go out to the shop today!

Before

Apart

After studying it, I chose to remove some parts and go back with just the Main and screwdriver blades.
Of course, they did not line up well together, so I had to make a tapered spacer to give it some extra room, and then cut a new nail nick on the screwdriver blade.

Selected parts

It would have been MUCH easier to have gone back with the punch blade instead of the screwdriver, but honestly I never use punch blades. I just wanted to make this into a decent EDC. It is not perfect, but it is certainly slim and much easier on the pocket than it used to be!

After finishing I wish that I had rehandled it in bone, and put a small pen or sheepsfoot blade across from the main, but I am satisfied enough to just carry it as is.

[cody6268]

Great job! Kinda like the Victorinox Bantam, just heavier-duty and carbon steel. I have a 1987 Case Slimline Trapper with a broken spey backspring I got basically the same way (bid cheap as I thought I was going to win a much nicer, intact knife the seller had) and am kinda stuck with. I was going to send it on warranty, but I procrastinated, and now this COVID stuff. Main blade is fine. I'm thinking ditch the spey entirely, and go to a nicer handle material than Delrin.

[Doc B]

Nice, Reverend! I like the long pull and swedge on the blade, too.

[nchappy1]

I think it looks wonderful. Looks like it may have a whittler feel in hand with that tapered body profile. You did a great job!

[orvet]

Nice job Rev!
Certainty a good EDC pattern.

[Meridian_Mike]

NICE job Rev!
Very cool mod... This makes that camper a slim and useful EDC knife!
I like!!

[OLDE CUTLER]

Nice BEER knife!

[philco]

Good work ! That knife reminds me of the GEC "Beer Scout".

[Meridian_Mike]

Nice BEER knife!

[Byrd]

Bet you never thought you were restoring a beer knife! I like it great job!

[Reverand]

Great job! Kinda like the Victorinox Bantam, just heavier-duty and carbon steel. I have a 1987 Case Slimline Trapper with a broken spey backspring I got basically the same way (bid cheap as I thought I was going to win a much nicer, intact knife the seller had) and am kinda stuck with. I was going to send it on warranty, but I procrastinated, and now this COVID stuff. Main blade is fine. I'm thinking ditch the spey entirely, and go to a nicer handle material than Delrin.

First, I want to thank all of you for your kind words. The encouragement from great folk makes AAPK a wonderful place!
And Cody 6268, you ought to try it! There are plenty of tutorials and instructions here - that could be a really fun project!

[Colonel26]

Very good work! I imagine it’s a lot more pocket friendly now too!

[rustyoldknife]

Nice save, it looks like it will be a easy carry

[1967redrider]

Great save, Reverend!

And the funny thing is I just saw this thread after re-profiling the punch and blade on this one. The punch was tipped about a quarter inch and the blade was saddled out about a half inch from the tang, I guess from failed sharpening attempts by someone. I can't even remember where I picked this knife up.

Mine is going to be tomorrow's EDC, hope you enjoy yours too!