1965-69 Case 32095 Fishing Knife REPLACEMENT BLADE (how to weld a blade?)

[AlexVersace]

I got this knife from my dad a few days ago, and he got it from his late friend who unfortunately passed away a few years ago. He gave it to me because he broke the fillet knife off . Anyways, I don't want to send it to Case because the tang of the fillet knife is the way you identify the age of the knife, and I also don't want them to replace other defective parts (cracked hook sharpener, normal wear and tear), and I am searching for the period blade with the correct tang stamp. I have a buddy who repairs knives and such, so all I need is the blade or a full knife that would be good for parts. If anyone has suggestions for where I could find one, or if they happen to have an extra I'd love to hear!

A few guys from another forum suggested I ask here as well, as I also put this topic in the ads section. Anyways, any ideas on places that would weld a new blade? Someone said it's not unheard of, but I'd need a spot that would do it nicely for me, as my buddy and I do not weld. I have to see if my dad still has the blade or not, but if he does that might be my best bet. If anyone has any other ideas about where I could get a donor from '65-'69, or if you have one, Id appreciate it. Thanks gang!

- Alex V..

[OLDE CUTLER]

Be aware that many knife collectors consider welding a blade to preserve the tang stamp to be fraud. This subject has come up here on AAPK several times with a great deal or discussion, much of it very heated. Also what would you do if you are successful in finding a donor knife which is quite likely to be in better shape than your knife? Taking a blade from the better knife to put into yours wouldn't make any sense. Also a welded blade would have to be re heat treated correctly or the new blade will fail immediately. There is a whole can of worms to be considered here.

[Bill DeShivs]

I agree wholeheartedly with Olde Cutler.
The only legitimate repair is blade replacement.

[glennbad]

I don't support blade welding, but Gary Claxon does that type of work...

[just bob]

A few years back the cost of welding a blade was $65. I assume that has gone up. Only you can determine the value of your knife and what you want to spend on it. Let me give you another much cheaper alternative that hasn't been mentioned yet. Find a donor knife of another brand with a good master blade and switch them out. You will have to take careful measurements and get something that is almost exactly the same thickness. You can overlay the donor blade on your stub and mark it to work. When you are done use a Dremel type tool and remove the tang stamp from the blade. You will have a functioning knife full of memories. Recently I have picked up a Kabar and I think another German knife of that type with bad handles for just a few dollars. Both knives have good master blades in them. Just another option to consider.

[stockman]

You know back a while, almost anything made some collectors worry. They would say if it has been cleaned wonder what else has been done. Some repair people were criticized. I'm not saying if I agree or disagree. This did go on.

Harold

[bestgear]

If anyone has suggestions for where I could find one…

22 of them for sale on eBay and 1 on AAPK (https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/ca ... fish-knife) - a plethora of choices!

[AlexVersace]

Be aware that many knife collectors consider welding a blade to preserve the tang stamp to be fraud. This subject has come up here on AAPK several times with a great deal or discussion, much of it very heated. Also what would you do if you are successful in finding a donor knife which is quite likely to be in better shape than your knife? Taking a blade from the better knife to put into yours wouldn't make any sense. Also a welded blade would have to be re heat treated correctly or the new blade will fail immediately. There is a whole can of worms to be considered here.

I would like to say that, while I do see where you're coming from (which I completely agree with on the collection/sale of vintage knives), this one is simply sentimental, and I'd never sell it, and I'm not too worried abt it being fraudulent only because its for me and hopefully my family line haha. I do agree with you though, repairing a broken knife and selling it as original is not allowed, but I only want the tang to be preserved because of sentimental value. With the donor knife, it'd be the same situation, only because I never had that one before, and this broken one belonged to Ray. And in addition, I could also use the donor for future repairs if I ever break the serated blade, or if the hook sharpener ever got too bad, just to keep my up to par. All valid points though, nobody should be fixing something broken and trying to get top dollar for something unoriginal.

-Alex V..

[AlexVersace]

A few years back the cost of welding a blade was $65. I assume that has gone up. Only you can determine the value of your knife and what you want to spend on it. Let me give you another much cheaper alternative that hasn't been mentioned yet. Find a donor knife of another brand with a good master blade and switch them out. You will have to take careful measurements and get something that is almost exactly the same thickness. You can overlay the donor blade on your stub and mark it to work. When you are done use a Dremel type tool and remove the tang stamp from the blade. You will have a functioning knife full of memories. Recently I have picked up a Kabar and I think another German knife of that type with bad handles for just a few dollars. Both knives have good master blades in them. Just another option to consider.

Thanks for the welding info, I would spend at least $150 if it meant fixing it well, it's special to my dad and I, and it'd be great to have it fully functioning again! And this donor stuff is cool to think about!! I've gotta try this out, it seems like it would be my best bet honestly, considering how expensive all this knife stuff is . thanks for the suggestion! Are there any spots that might have old knives for cheap? Sub $30 preferably.

[AlexVersace]

If anyone has suggestions for where I could find one…

22 of them for sale on eBay and 1 on AAPK (https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/ca ... fish-knife) - a plethora of choices!

Thanks man

[AlexVersace]

I don't support blade welding, but Gary Claxon does that type of work...

A YouTuber or?

[AlexVersace]

You know back a while, almost anything made some collectors worry. They would say if it has been cleaned wonder what else has been done. Some repair people were criticized. I'm not saying if I agree or disagree. This did go on.

Harold

Sounds a little reminiscent of another hobby of mine, coin collecting

[glennbad]

I don't support blade welding, but Gary Claxon does that type of work...

A YouTuber or?

He's on facebook, as well as this site...

[AlexVersace]

[/quote]

He's on facebook, as well as this site...
[/quote]

Alright, thanks much! I'll have to check out what he does.

Alex V..