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Calling All Knife Mechanics
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2023 12:51 pm
by bestgear
I personally know some of the knife mechanics here on AAPK but not all of you, so in the interest of complete inclusion and transparency I’m posting this for everyone to see. I’ve recently started working part-time at the largest knife store in Delaware that has been in business since 1970. They are looking to establish a list of knife mechanics that they can share with a customer whenever the need for knife mechanic services arises.
The store will not be involved in the transaction as that will be between their customer and the knife mechanic directly; this will simply be a referral opportunity and an avenue for the customer to pursue if they so desire. We currently have about 10 inquiries a week for knife mechanic services that we turn away.
If you have any interest in being added to the list that I’m assembling, please PM me your name and your best contact information (email, text, snail mail, website, AAPK, etc.) along with what services you’d be willing to perform (or conversely what you are not willing to perform). Once I have the list assembled, I will share it with everyone on it, again, in the interest of complete inclusion and transparency.
Thanks in advance for your kind consideration.
Re: Calling All Knife Mechanics
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2023 1:58 pm
by edge213
bestgear wrote: ↑Mon Apr 10, 2023 12:51 pm
I personally know some of the knife mechanics here on AAPK but not all of you, so in the interest of complete inclusion and transparency I’m posting this for everyone to see. I’ve recently started working part-time at the largest knife store in Delaware that has been in business since 1970. They are looking to establish a list of knife mechanics that they can share with a customer whenever the need for knife mechanic services arises.
The store will not be involved in the transaction as that will be between their customer and the knife mechanic directly; this will simply be a referral opportunity and an avenue for the customer to pursue if they so desire. We currently have about 10 inquiries a week for knife mechanic services that we turn away.
If you have any interest in being added to the list that I’m assembling, please PM me your name and your best contact information (email, text, snail mail, website, AAPK, etc.) along with what services you’d be willing to perform (or conversely what you are not willing to perform). Once I have the list assembled, I will share it with everyone on it, again, in the interest of complete inclusion and transparency.
Thanks in advance for your kind consideration.
Tom, I think it would be great to have that list posted permanently on AAPK also.
Re: Calling All Knife Mechanics
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2023 2:36 pm
by bestgear
edge213 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 10, 2023 1:58 pm
I think it would be great to have that list posted permanently on AAPK also.
I concur David - my hope is to initially gather a list of those interested in participating first and see what their individual boundaries are such as work they can't do, the volume of work they are looking for, and determine how private or public they want their name and contact information to be shared.
Part of the challenge today in publishing such information publicly on AAPK is that it's open for the world to see. This is why you complete a form to email a member without knowing their full email address so that it remains anonymous. We are on the same page though
Re: Calling All Knife Mechanics
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2023 5:51 pm
by orvet
Great idea Tom!
I often receive inquiries about knife repairs, simply because I have posted so much for so many years on the topic I guess. With my wife's health as it is now, I'm not taking new repairs, so it would be helpful to have a list to refer people to.
If I may make a suggestion for your list;
It might be helpful if you set it up so that the knife mechanic can temporarily suspend his availability. When I was doing a lot of repairs I would get back logged and really not want to take anymore repairs in for a period of time. Also health for some of us older guys is an issue. Being able to remove one's name from the list temporarily might be helpful for some of us.
Just a thought for your consideration.
Keep up the good work Tom!
Re: Calling All Knife Mechanics
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2023 10:32 pm
by Bill DeShivs
Here I am.
Unfortunately, many potential customers assume we have parts available and can just magically install them for $15 or so.
I hand make 95% of the parts I use. My labor rate is high, but I generally don't charge for materials.
Unless a knife is valuable, or has sentimental value-it's not economically feasible to have me repair it.
I do honest, excellent work.
Re: Calling All Knife Mechanics
Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2023 5:03 am
by catspa
Dear Bill:
At the present, I can afford 6.5 minutes of your magical installation time. Please apply it to fixing this knife and return it.
Hopefully, next year my fortunes will improve, and I’ll send it back for a 13 or even 23 minute repair.
Thank you kindly,
Parker
Re: Calling All Knife Mechanics
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2026 7:36 pm
by bestgear
Giving this a bump in the hopes of assembling a list to be maintained by an administrator. If you have interest in being on this public facing list, shoot me a PM to open a dialogue. The information that I think would be most meaningful would be:
Anything else that would be meaningful in helping someone in need of a knife mechanic?
Re: Calling All Knife Mechanics
Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2026 2:54 am
by Reverand
I take on repairs.
1) Reverand, aka Scott, aka Southern Knife Hobbyist
2) Specializing in slipjoint knives - handle replacement, restoring snap to worn blades, and replacing blades. Much of my work involves hand tools, and is not as accurate and professional as some, but repairs are recorded and posted online.
3) 3 month backlog currently.
4) I accept PayPal, Venmo, checks, money orders, cash, and sometimes trades.
5) I have standard rates for most common jobs, quoted and confirmed before work begins.
6) see my YouTube channel "Southern Knife Hobbyist" for references.
Thanks!
Re: Calling All Knife Mechanics
Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2026 6:48 pm
by bestgear
So far I have 2 responses but that's OK, there's no deadline to assembling the list, I'd just like to have enough critical mass before I make the list public.
If there's a knife mechanic out there that would prefer to keep their work solely in the AAPK community, please send me your information and I'll make sure it stays off the public list but gets shared when an inquiry gets made through AAPK seeking a knife mechanic.
Come out, come out, wherever you are.
Re: Calling All Knife Mechanics
Posted: Fri May 08, 2026 2:39 pm
by American Blade 92
Could you add me to the list, Tom?
Re: Calling All Knife Mechanics
Posted: Fri May 08, 2026 2:53 pm
by bestgear
of course, please shoot me a PM with the following:
Re: Calling All Knife Mechanics
Posted: Sat May 16, 2026 11:36 am
by BIGHEAD
I work full time so I have as much on my plate as I can handle.
Re: Calling All Knife Mechanics
Posted: Sat May 16, 2026 11:54 am
by bestgear
BIGHEAD wrote: ↑Sat May 16, 2026 11:36 amI work full time so I have as much on my plate as I can handle.
100% understand, you can be added at any time if your situation changes. Peace.
Re: Calling All Knife Mechanics
Posted: Tue May 19, 2026 11:32 pm
by just bob
One thing that is often overlooked is sending a knife back to the factory for repair. Last year I bought a 6254 with bad handles and sent it back to Case and I think it was $8 per side to put the handles on, and they also cleaned the knife up. So long as they are still making the pattern and it hasn't changed, they will put handles on; that is probably trapper, peanut, 18, 47 and maybe a few others. I have a doctor's knife (6185) with them now. They are also good about replacing shields. Go to their web site, fill out the form, and include a picture of your knife. I usually get a response within 48 hrs. saying if they will accept the knife or not.
Broken backsprings are usually covered by warranty.
Hasn't it been posted on here that you can send a Buck 110 or 112 back and they will put a new blade in it for $10. I don't know if they do handles.
I saw on the Benchmade web site that they will authenticate your knife for free, however they will not return clones.
I'll dig that trapper out and post a pic. They did a beautiful job with that.
Re: Calling All Knife Mechanics
Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2026 1:05 pm
by bestgear
Re: Calling All Knife Mechanics
Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2026 3:19 pm
by American Blade 92
Re: Calling All Knife Mechanics
Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2026 3:51 pm
by Gtrclktr-351
Looks good. Thanks for taking the time to put it together.
Re: Calling All Knife Mechanics
Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2026 6:18 pm
by bestgear
Your most welcome guys - seeking a knife mechanic is a common request made to Bryan so this helps to allow him to focus on other priorities. I agree, I think it's a good addition to AAPK!
Re: Calling All Knife Mechanics
Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2026 8:42 pm
by Bill DeShivs
Looks good!
Re: Calling All Knife Mechanics
Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2026 9:24 pm
by bestgear
Thanks Bill, like most things, it's a work in progress
Re: Calling All Knife Mechanics
Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2026 3:18 am
by Reverand
Thank you!
Though with all the other great knife mechanics on that list. People are gonna realize very quickly that I am a hack!
Re: Calling All Knife Mechanics
Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2026 3:48 am
by bestgear
Reverand wrote: ↑Sat Jun 06, 2026 3:18 amThough with all the other great knife mechanics on that list. People are gonna realize very quickly that I am a hack!
nonsense Scott, you belong on the list and your honesty will be most welcome by anybody seeking your services. I can’t believe I started this thread 3-years ago but at least now we it going!
Re: Calling All Knife Mechanics
Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2026 7:34 pm
by glennbad
Reverand wrote: ↑Sat Jun 06, 2026 3:18 am
Thank you!
Though with all the other great knife mechanics on that list. People are gonna realize very quickly that I am a hack!
Not true at all! In fact, I have learned some ingenious things from watching your videos, things I would have never thought of myself.