New scales for an old Imperial USA folder

[Ozwelder]

Hi Guys,
Its been a while since I have been to the forum because of some family health issues.
Anyway I am back.

I have lately taken a fancy to to the Imperial series pocket knives , tang branded Imperial R. I. USA (vertical). I have not encountered any Imperials that won't take a real good edge.

I have one that I think is in fair condition bar the handles which may be some plastic composite,which due to age is cracked from the fixing pins to to outer edges.The blades are practically unworn save from scratches and some pitting, however they polished up well.

I have some thoughts on how to rehab this knife and would like your opinions if the following actions are feasible.

I would like to disassemble the knife and instead of using the old pressed bolster use a soldered on ,bolster and epoxy glue on some bone or wooden handle scales.

Some of my other knives have wear from years of sharpening. I would like to make new blades for them, but have trouble I locating thin steel like 1084 grade to recreate the worn blades. Has anybody ever used the metal from old domestic size circular saw blades. Importing thin blade steel for pocket knife thickness blades is out of the question due to cost of the mailing.
There are fixed blade makers down under and the Australian suppliers cater for them, 3mm (1/8" )being the minimum thickness available here.

I have started cataloging my collection mainly carbon steel bladed knives and polishing then with microcrystalline wax in an effort to stop them corroding.

The problem ,you see, is that I live down wind from two coal loading facilities.

The fine coal dust mixes with the sea breeze which is extremely corrosive. I have had cleaned knives corrode in 18months even though they are in a display case inside the house. The winds get upwards of 25 knots and the black dust is every where.

I have a linisher, a good drill press and a heat treat oven.
Thanks in advance for any advice.

Ozwelder

[Reverand]

Yes, the old Imperial knives were made of good steel!
Also yes, they often turn out very well if you solder on bolsters and make handles. Or I have seen some guys restore them without bolsters, giving Birdseye rivets.
If you get a handful of them, just experiment and use your imagination. They are a great canvas to create knife art.
I have seen videos of people making knife blades from circular saw blades, but have not done it myself.

[OLDE CUTLER]

Hi Guys,
Its been a while since I have been to the forum because of some family health issues.
Anyway I am back.

I have lately taken a fancy to to the Imperial series pocket knives , tang branded Imperial R. I. USA (vertical). I have not encountered any Imperials that won't take a real good edge.

I have one that I think is in fair condition bar the handles which may be some plastic composite,which due to age is cracked from the fixing pins to to outer edges.The blades are practically unworn save from scratches and some pitting, however they polished up well.

I have some thoughts on how to rehab this knife and would like your opinions if the following actions are feasible.

I would like to disassemble the knife and instead of using the old pressed bolster use a soldered on ,bolster and epoxy glue on some bone or wooden handle scales.

Some of my other knives have wear from years of sharpening. I would like to make new blades for them, but have trouble I locating thin steel like 1084 grade to recreate the worn blades. Has anybody ever used the metal from old domestic size circular saw blades. Importing thin blade steel for pocket knife thickness blades is out of the question due to cost of the mailing.
There are fixed blade makers down under and the Australian suppliers cater for them, 3mm (1/8" )being the minimum thickness available here.

I have started cataloging my collection mainly carbon steel bladed knives and polishing then with microcrystalline wax in an effort to stop them corroding.

The problem ,you see, is that I live down wind from two coal loading facilities.

The fine coal dust mixes with the sea breeze which is extremely corrosive. I have had cleaned knives corrode in 18months even though they are in a display case inside the house. The winds get upwards of 25 knots and the black dust is every where.

I have a linisher, a good drill press and a heat treat oven.
Thanks in advance for any advice.

Ozwelder

I have redone several of those Imperials which are called shell handle conversions. Check the link below.
viewtopic.php?t=59087
For making replacement blades, 1095 bar stock in various thickness is available from Jantz.

[Ozwelder]

Thanks Reverand and Olde Cutler

I have an email into into Krantz enquiring about the shipping on some 3/32" 1095 . Since the big flu from china ,the cost of shipping from the US to Oz has gone through the roof.

The particular knife I have seems to be an electrician knife pattern. I have seen other brands which are the same.

One of them,I can't remember the brand was designated a TL-29 Electricians knife.

This one has a liner lock on the screwdriver? blade. The strange thing is that the liner lock is steel not brass.

I have only ever seen brass liner locks before.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction, fellas.

Ozwelder