All About Pocket Knives

As some of you know I started to try knife repair in January of this year. With the help of a lot of members here through advice and encouragement. I have built some knife kits and repaired some Junkers and some of my own knives. Short story here bear with me. We live in a small town, so I gave one of my kit knives I built to the owner of a small restaurant near me. He really like it. So, 2 weeks ago my wife and I went to the restaurant to eat the owner came over and asked me to look at this Case knife that had no handles on it no bolster on one side and main blade sharpened to death. He told me it was an older farmer who comes in a lot and had seen the trapper kit I had built and if I could repair the case knife. I said it was too far gone and I did not feel comfortable working on someone's knife. Friday, I stopped in the restaurant to eat, and the owner still had the old farmer's knife. He told me that the farmer asked me to reconsider the repair. He just wanted to hand it down to his grandson. If I could just fix the handles and bolsters, he would be happy.
That tugged at my heart so I said I would try to repair the knife. With all the help I have gotten here I thought I would try to help out on this keepsake repair. Here are some pictures of before and after.
Sorry to run on.
Nev

Great restoration and a even better story!
His Grandson will be proud to carry it.

Looks like very nice work Nev! I know how you feel about not wanting to work on someone else's knife. Every time I give in and take on some work for someone I don't know very well, it makes me nervous. Is that black canvas micarta?

Thanks Tim,
The Grandson is what got to me.
Nev

Herb Yes, it is black micarta with nickel silver pins I thought it would make it look nice. I was very worried working on this knife. It was junk but knowing it had sentential value to the owner made me a little uncomfortable. Thank God it turned out. It does make me feel good to know he can pass it on to his Grandson.

Nev

That knife came out great! That must have some extreme sentimental value to the owner. Its been well used for years.

Ive never seen a knife blade sharpened all the way to the nail nick before. Looks to still be almost full length too.

eveled wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 5:36 pm That knife came out great! That must have some extreme sentimental value to the owner. Its been well used for years.

Ive never seen a knife blade sharpened all the way to the nail nick before. Looks to still be almost full length too.

Thanks eveled
Your right it's almost full length about 3/8 short of spey blade. At least he keeps the whole blade on the stone when he sharpens.

Nev

Nicely done!
Working on a customers knife can be rewarding and nerve wracking.
You did a great job!
Jeff

Great story and great save on that knife!

It's people like you Nev who restore my faith in human beings! When you do something for another that you REALLY don't want to do it pretty much guarantees which direction you'll go when the time comes, IMHO. You did a beautiful job of bringing that beat-up old soldier back to life! I much prefer nickel-silver over stainless for appearance sake, and black micarta has always been a favorite of mine! We're gonna have to start qualifying you with "Nev, Professional Knife-Builder"! LOL! Very nice work buddy!

Nev, good for you on taking on the repair responsibility. Also, you did
a great job!

I think knife repair is another facet of the knife hobby that only
a few get to enjoy. I just happened to order a used hobby vise
today. Maybe my chance is coming up too?

Bob

Thank you all for the comments and encouragement. I put a lot of time into this repair, so I am very happy it turned out good. I am also excited about hearing the response of the person who owns the knife. I am going find out what days the Farmer comes in and be there to give him his knife. Just to know he will pass it on to his grandson is all the payment I need. One thing I have learned is I could never charge anybody labor for a repair they could buy 2 case trappers for all the time I have in this. But I am having fun and helping someone.

Regards
Nev

Nev52 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 4:20 am Thank you all for the comments and encouragement. I put a lot of time into this repair, so I am very happy it turned out good. I am also excited about hearing the response of the person who owns the knife. I am going find out what days the Farmer comes in and be there to give him his knife. Just to know he will pass it on to his grandson is all the payment I need. One thing I have learned is I could never charge anybody labor for a repair they could buy 2 case trappers for all the time I have in this. But I am having fun and helping someone.

Regards
Nev

Your kindness will be repaid in spades.

Thanks, Cudgee,
Knowing it is going to his grandson made me want to take the job on.

Nev

I love the story! I am so glad you gave in and restored the knife.
What you did is worth more than GOLD to the owner!

Great job Nev!

Thanks Mike,
I can't wait untill he sees it.

Nev

Nicely done. A true treasure!

Amazing story and a great rebuild.

Can you tell what the tang stamp is? It looks like a relatively modern knife, maybe early 90's. Looks like the original shield was not pinned.

You're a good man Nev, thanks for sharing all your work and the stories behind them....

knifeaholic wrote: ↑Mon Apr 18, 2022 11:11 pm Amazing story and a great rebuild.

Can you tell what the tang stamp is? It looks like a relatively modern knife, maybe early 90's. Looks like the original shield was not pinned.

Yor are correct. I think it was a 1990. I have never seen a blade sharpened to the nail nick.That knife was rough
Nev

dlr110 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 19, 2022 12:52 am You're a good man Nev, thanks for sharing all your work and the stories behind them....

Thanks David
I stopped down the restaurant last week to see if the man had picked up his knife. The restaurant owner told me he had and was very happy with the repair. I felt relieved that he was happy with the new look of his old workhorse.

Nev