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Can't break spring pivot pin
Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2021 11:01 pm
by beresman
I have an old Voos jack knife that I'm trying to take apart to replace a broken spring. I have slid a blade (I use a hobby knife blade) in to break the pin, but have broken two knife blades instead, and cracked the handle
to boot. Did they use iron or steel pins for these, and how do I get it out? Do I have to drill it out?
Re: Can't break spring pivot pin
Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2021 12:46 am
by cudgee
beresman wrote: ↑Sun Oct 03, 2021 11:01 pm
I have an old Voos jack knife that I'm trying to take apart to replace a broken spring. I have slid a blade (I use a hobby knife blade) in to break the pin, but have broken two knife blades instead, and cracked the handle
to boot. Did they use iron or steel pins for these, and how do I get it out? Do I have to drill it out?
Someone here who restores knives will know, but could you try to move it with a centre punch and hammer, it may depend on the age of the knife and how long it has been sitting there. But someone here will certainly be able to help.
Re: Can't break spring pivot pin
Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2021 3:06 am
by just bob
I think some use an old kitchen knife that is razor sharp for that job. If there is any gap at all you can use a jeweler's hacksaw and cut the pin. The old Russell's have steel pins and they are also hard to shear.
Re: Can't break spring pivot pin
Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2021 11:28 am
by OLDE CUTLER
I have taken knives like that apart by cutting the steel pins with a Stanley utility knife blade and a hammer. The steel pins will ding the edge of the blade, so move the blade slightly after each strike and after 5 or 6 whacks it will cut thru. Don't use your normal smaller hammer that you use for peening, but something like a 16 oz. I lay a block of hardwood like oak or maple on top of the anvil for solid support undermeath. So far it has worked for me. And as mentioned, the jewelers saw can be used if their is room for the blade.
Re: Can't break spring pivot pin
Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2021 11:30 am
by herbva
Steel pins can be hard to cut, especially if you don't have a large enough gap to slip a sturdy boxcutter blade in to cut the pin. Sometimes, I enlarge the gap by tapping in a single edge razor blade, and then I have enough of a gap to tap in a boxcutter blade. If I am worried about messing up a delicate knife by trying to cut the pin, I use a very small drill bit (1/32 or 3/64) in my drill press and drill a small hole in the center of the pin on each side, which usually relieves the pressure and you can then just gently pry the sides apart (assuming you have already removed the rocker pin).
Re: Can't break spring pivot pin
Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2021 2:18 am
by Reverand
herbva wrote: ↑Mon Oct 04, 2021 11:30 am
Steel pins can be hard to cut, especially if you don't have a large enough gap to slip a sturdy boxcutter blade in to cut the pin. Sometimes, I enlarge the gap by tapping in a single edge razor blade, and then I have enough of a gap to tap in a boxcutter blade. If I am worried about messing up a delicate knife by trying to cut the pin, I use a very small drill bit (1/32 or 3/64) in my drill press and drill a small hole in the center of the pin on each side, which usually relieves the pressure and you can then just gently pry the sides apart (assuming you have already removed the rocker pin).
I second that motion: carefully drill the pins then pry it apart. I have broken several bone handles trying to cut the pivot pins with a razor. I have gotten many apart that way, but I have also broken some.
Re: Can't break spring pivot pin
Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2021 1:41 pm
by beresman
Thanks, everyone! I've set that knife aside in frustration, and have started another project. I'm sure I will come back to it fresh in a week or so and hopefully with some new insight (and a few tricks) I can get this thing apart without further damaging anything...
Re: Can't break spring pivot pin
Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2021 2:17 pm
by glennbad
I agree with all the other methods mentioned. When I want to retain the existing handle materials, I use the razor blade/knife blade pin split ONLY as a last resort. I usually try to drill out the pin head and then tap the pin out.