All About Pocket Knives

This might belong in a different forum but it belongs here also. I bought this lever lock VERY cheap. It worked when I got it but the plastic scales were ugly as could be. It operated a bit rough but it worked. I have operated on a few switchblades now and lock backs which were all full of surprises! Thanks to my friends here (Bill,Killgar,and Brian I was able to get all knives back together and working. This one seemed straight forward. I used the cattle horn I split,straightened,and ground myself.DONT try this).. The handle work went well but it would not fire. It was rough,tight,binding, and I polished every part of contact but no dice. I put it together and took it apart a dozen times trying different things. I changed pivot from brass to steel but no. After talking with the three saints I mentioned earlier,,one said,” sometimes you even have to alter the blade tang and back spring”. That was the last thing I wanted to do but this was my LAST TRY. I sanded the blade tang and tried it. Sanded the spring where it locks up to tang. I did this over and over til I could not take any more off the tang or I would violate the rear sear hole. IT WORKED! A huge thanks to the guys who help me do this! Needs to be cleaned up a bit yet but look!

I'm glad you got it worked out. And those horn handles look good .

Looks way better, great job!

Thanks ya’ll . It could be better as you know. My big headed pins are a bit intrusive to the eye but I love em. I’ve only one horn left and I may not make my own horn scales again.( til I forget the smell and my wife yelling). Ya just can’t get that 1950 horn look unless you make them or pay more than average. My next horn is black and white. Must be from a Holstein.

It's pretty bizarre, what you sometimes have to do to get knives to work.
I recently acquired a large lot of German parts. Brand new, old stock.
Some went together with minimal (but some) smithing. Others, not so much.
These older parts don't go together like screwing Microtech CNC parts together.

If you don’t hand fit things they just don’t work well. The 1911 and AR 15 are suppose to have interchangeable parts but only if you own a file set. Bill, I don’t know how you do this everyday. I’m tapped.

Bravo! Nice job,are you ready to try your hand at another? It's either that or the ole round file.

Yes I am! I think it’s more fun fixing one that does not work though. Maybe.

I've long admired those little leverlock's, Smitty, and your overhaul made that one special.
I do like the new covers, but it would have also been pretty nice with the original covers. IMHO.

They were cheap plastic and one was a different color like it was in the sun since 1976. Unless the blade says Romo,Latama or something like that the plastic is going to go.

I get it, man!

Marco is back.