The Rebirth of a Unicorn
Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2023 8:50 am
Hi Guys,
My gradual steps into the restoration world naturally lead me to attempt to restore my childhood dream knife the Schrade LB8, and after acquiring a bunch of information through research and kind advice from members here I decided to give it a bash. It took me best part of a year to assemble all the parts needed to do this and several times I have bought an LB8 and when I received it in the mail they were just in such great condition I could not even consider them as a potential EDC, so they remain in my collection as historic gems to be treasured.
I even bought a bunch of Schrade Blades hoping that there would be some LB8/7 blades that I could at least use to restore an old LB7 I had to practice on, but nope ever other kind of blade made by Schrade but no LB8's, however there was a bunch of LB9 blades in the pack.
After Posting on this site that I wanted some LB8 or 7 blades eventually some members took pity on me and recently I have acquired several LB8 blades of various Pivot Hole sizes and Notch Placements. Also, in a bunch of knives I got from a member here was a busted up LB8, well past it's life with a shot to pieces blade.
So yesterday with the usual British April Showers making an inside activity day for me, I plucked up the Courage and got to work.
As Usual I now wish I took more photos of just how busted up this knife was before I started but I can say with my hand on my heart it was a real mess, but in my puppy like eagerness I just get stuck in and when things start to go well I think best take a pic of that lol.
Now my knowledge of the LB range is by far not as large as many of you guys and I only knew that the Pivot hole sizes can vary, requiring a shim on some, so I was sure with the bunch of new old stock and a couple of used Lb8 Blades I would find a fit ?............nope not one of them fitted without a lot of play, it was chicken and egg, either up and down play or forward and back from the locking notch, so when I lined up the blades together with the damaged blade I removed I noticed 3 different notch sizes in width or depth of the notches. Leading me to ponder upon risking drilling a 3 /16th hole through the bolsters in an attempt to lift the blades pivot position and using larger pin stock ???
I Chickened out of this and went to get one of the NOS LB9 Blades I have.............Hey Presto !!!Perfect !!!!
Ok This made me wonder if the LB8 I had in my possession was indeed an old LB9 with a very wobbly and worn out LB8 blade put into it as a replacement ?? This may explain why the blade I was replacing was so loose, but I just don’t know, clues that may help a pro reading this are the facts already mentioned and the fact that there are no Serial numbers on the bolsters ?? But I guess this could mean either an early LB8 or very Late LB8, I would lean towards that later as the blade had the Uncle Henry Tang Stamps.
Anyway without further ado I would like to show some photos to you guys of how it turned out, I have a few of the process but really wish I took more.
I would like to thank the following members for their support and generosity by sharing their knowledge, helping me source parts required and for making the Atlantic truly feel as small as a pond.
Just Bob: For many hours of trading, searching and patience helping me on my knife journey (he can confirm how shot this knife was ha !!!)
Muskratman: For helping me with blades and very generous advice.
Jeffinn: For getting me a Blade with Shims, and very good advice (Also a big thank you in public for the best Barlow I have ever owned, and a transaction I would NEVER recommend, what a Gentleman this guy is)
Orvet: For taking the time to write a step by step guide on replacing a LB7 Blade with every pitfall that you may come across in the process.
I love this site and the people here, the kindest, encouragement and damn straight honesty make this a community that I feel proud to be accepted into.
Oh yeah the photos, here we go, I wil try to get them posted in some kinda order, if not you’re all pros and can work it out
Cheers
JT
My gradual steps into the restoration world naturally lead me to attempt to restore my childhood dream knife the Schrade LB8, and after acquiring a bunch of information through research and kind advice from members here I decided to give it a bash. It took me best part of a year to assemble all the parts needed to do this and several times I have bought an LB8 and when I received it in the mail they were just in such great condition I could not even consider them as a potential EDC, so they remain in my collection as historic gems to be treasured.
I even bought a bunch of Schrade Blades hoping that there would be some LB8/7 blades that I could at least use to restore an old LB7 I had to practice on, but nope ever other kind of blade made by Schrade but no LB8's, however there was a bunch of LB9 blades in the pack.
After Posting on this site that I wanted some LB8 or 7 blades eventually some members took pity on me and recently I have acquired several LB8 blades of various Pivot Hole sizes and Notch Placements. Also, in a bunch of knives I got from a member here was a busted up LB8, well past it's life with a shot to pieces blade.
So yesterday with the usual British April Showers making an inside activity day for me, I plucked up the Courage and got to work.
As Usual I now wish I took more photos of just how busted up this knife was before I started but I can say with my hand on my heart it was a real mess, but in my puppy like eagerness I just get stuck in and when things start to go well I think best take a pic of that lol.
Now my knowledge of the LB range is by far not as large as many of you guys and I only knew that the Pivot hole sizes can vary, requiring a shim on some, so I was sure with the bunch of new old stock and a couple of used Lb8 Blades I would find a fit ?............nope not one of them fitted without a lot of play, it was chicken and egg, either up and down play or forward and back from the locking notch, so when I lined up the blades together with the damaged blade I removed I noticed 3 different notch sizes in width or depth of the notches. Leading me to ponder upon risking drilling a 3 /16th hole through the bolsters in an attempt to lift the blades pivot position and using larger pin stock ???
I Chickened out of this and went to get one of the NOS LB9 Blades I have.............Hey Presto !!!Perfect !!!!
Ok This made me wonder if the LB8 I had in my possession was indeed an old LB9 with a very wobbly and worn out LB8 blade put into it as a replacement ?? This may explain why the blade I was replacing was so loose, but I just don’t know, clues that may help a pro reading this are the facts already mentioned and the fact that there are no Serial numbers on the bolsters ?? But I guess this could mean either an early LB8 or very Late LB8, I would lean towards that later as the blade had the Uncle Henry Tang Stamps.
Anyway without further ado I would like to show some photos to you guys of how it turned out, I have a few of the process but really wish I took more.
I would like to thank the following members for their support and generosity by sharing their knowledge, helping me source parts required and for making the Atlantic truly feel as small as a pond.
Just Bob: For many hours of trading, searching and patience helping me on my knife journey (he can confirm how shot this knife was ha !!!)
Muskratman: For helping me with blades and very generous advice.
Jeffinn: For getting me a Blade with Shims, and very good advice (Also a big thank you in public for the best Barlow I have ever owned, and a transaction I would NEVER recommend, what a Gentleman this guy is)
Orvet: For taking the time to write a step by step guide on replacing a LB7 Blade with every pitfall that you may come across in the process.
I love this site and the people here, the kindest, encouragement and damn straight honesty make this a community that I feel proud to be accepted into.
Oh yeah the photos, here we go, I wil try to get them posted in some kinda order, if not you’re all pros and can work it out
Cheers
JT
