I recently picked up an old Richards pocket knife with the intent of restoring it - my first time doing so.
Problem one is disassembling it to give it a good clean. However, removing the grips is tricky as I need to lift up the small tabs. Has anyone else had to do something similar, or know of a method which could work?
Thanks!
Re: Best way to remove grips - Richards pocket knife
Posted: Fri May 02, 2025 11:43 pm
by FRJ
MrLictor wrote: ↑Fri May 02, 2025 10:48 pm
I recently picked up an old Richards pocket knife with the intent of restoring it - my first time doing so.
Problem one is disassembling it to give it a good clean. However, removing the grips is tricky as I need to lift up the small tabs. Has anyone else had to do something similar, or know of a method which could work?
Thanks!
Welcome here, MrLictor, I hope someone will come by and give you the information that you seek and that I cannot give.
Re: Best way to remove grips - Richards pocket knife
Posted: Sat May 03, 2025 12:45 am
by Mumbleypeg
Welcome to AAPK. You did not show pictures of the entire knife but it’s probably not necessary to remove the covers to just clean a knife. A whole lot of cleaning can be done without any disassembly!
If you are determined it’s necessary to remove the covers, a search of the forum for the keyword “tabs” is a good way to find the info you’re seeking. That will lead you to several posts/tutorials including this video from one of the resident knife mechanics, Reverand, who are members here.
Ken
Re: Best way to remove grips - Richards pocket knife
Posted: Sat May 03, 2025 4:00 am
by Bill DeShivs
A small sharp flat screwdriver will lift the tab.
You must realize these tabs were not meant to ever be bent after the handles are installed. If you are lucky, it won't break and you can reinstall it.
More than likely, the tab WILL break-and you can't easily reinstall the handle.
There is no need to remove the handles to clean the knife.
Re: Best way to remove grips - Richards pocket knife
Posted: Sat May 03, 2025 12:55 pm
by MrLictor
Thanks so much for the help so far.
To my inexperienced eye the knife doesn’t look to be in terrible shape.
I do have another reason for wishing to disassemble the knife - and that’s to try and fix the wobbly blades, as they often won’t close in the correct position. As I understand it this will mean replacing the pins - I’ve watched a few videos on how to do this already, but would still be happy to hear any advice.
Re: Best way to remove grips - Richards pocket knife
Posted: Sat May 03, 2025 4:28 pm
by Reverand
Everyone has steered you correctly so far.
I use a small flat-blade screwdriver to bend the tabs, but ai bend them as little as possible. If you bend them all of the way up they will break. If you just bend them outward a little you can usually work the scales off and back on again with no damage, unless you try to remove them 3 or 4 times.
Re: Best way to remove grips - Richards pocket knife
Posted: Fri May 23, 2025 1:00 am
by Ozwelder
Gday all,
Thank you Mumbleypeg for the video for breaking down of the shell back knife.I have been looking for this information for some time now.
I have one that has the bolsters and handles badly scarred and dented.
I dont see that I will be able to repair or replace the damage . I thought that that solid bolsters and handle slabs might be the way to go. I believe the knife to be a Taylor Eyewitness as I can see an eyeball graphic on it.
Blade wise it it is very clean and takes a beautiful razor edge,much quicker than stainless blades on other knives. I think i am getting a bit carried away with sharpening as there is not much hair left on my arms
Cheers to you all.
Ozwelder
Re: Best way to remove grips - Richards pocket knife
Posted: Fri May 23, 2025 1:58 am
by Reverand
Ozwelder wrote: ↑Fri May 23, 2025 1:00 am
Gday all,
Thank you Mumbleypeg for the video for breaking down of the shell back knife.I have been looking for this information for some time now.
I have one that has the bolsters and handles badly scarred and dented.
I dont see that I will be able to repair or replace the damage . I thought that that solid bolsters and handle slabs might be the way to go. I believe the knife to be a Taylor Eyewitness as I can see an eyeball graphic on it.
Blade wise it it is very clean and takes a beautiful razor edge,much quicker than stainless blades on other knives. I think i am getting a bit carried away with sharpening as there is not much hair left on my arms
Cheers to you all.
Ozwelder
This video might or might not help, but it is where I put solid bolsters on a shell-handled Barlow knife.
This is certainly not the only way to do it, but it worked for me.
Re: Best way to remove grips - Richards pocket knife
Posted: Fri May 23, 2025 11:25 am
by Ozwelder
Thank you Reverand,
The video and the added voice over helps so much.
The video covers the general procedure while the voice attends to the little things those while little touches went to make a top notch job.
That blue acrylic is something else.As well as the Barlows, I have some small kitchen knives to re handle and I think my wife would love the colour.
Many thanks for this information.
Ozwelder
Re: Best way to remove grips - Richards pocket knife
Posted: Fri May 23, 2025 5:07 pm
by SwedgeHead
Curious, would some heat help here. Just thinking of softening up the steel slightly with a soldering iron, not so much to heat up the scales but any chance that might help? I'd be tempted to try on a junker
Re: Best way to remove grips - Richards pocket knife
Posted: Fri May 23, 2025 6:57 pm
by Bill DeShivs
A soldering iron won't help. The steel is already stressed, and the iron won't get it hot enough to help.
If it did get it hot enough, it would discolor the nickel plated bolsters.
