Gerber Covert Parts Hunt

[Craigjoe13]

Hello everyone, new member here.
I have inherited a First Production Run Applegate Fairbain Covert knife. Unfortunately, it was disassembled when I got it and it is missing several parts. All I have is the black outer shell, the steel liner, and the blade. I am missing the locking mechanism, all the screws, the pivot axle and retainer, and the pocket clip. does anyone know where I can get these items? I don't mind waiting, and I am hoping to find some direction in my search for these parts. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. If nobody has any idea, I won't be any worse off than I am right now!
Thanks everyone!
Craig

 

[Spey]

I would start by creating a list of all parts needed (adding later the specifics of each part).
Not sure which hard-drive I have saved my Covert disassembly photos on, but was able to find a picture showing misc. parts from a guy who took his apart then apparently could not complete reassembly (pic's below).

I know I was able to delete the safety (assume this included exchanging the safety for a similar thickness bushing).

 

[jeepin]

Have you not contacted Gerber themselves?

 

[Craigjoe13]

Have you not contacted Gerber themselves?

I have reached out to them via the contact resource on their website several times with no reply as of yet. Probably a multitude of reasons, holidays, covid 19 etc.. in the meantime I am still looking for a parts list, schematic, an exploded assembly diagram, or a human to talk to. I thank you for your interest sincerely.

 

[Craigjoe13]

I would start by creating a list of all parts needed (adding later the specifics of each part).
Not sure which hard-drive I have saved my Covert disassembly photos on, but was able to find a picture showing misc. parts from a guy who took his apart then apparently could not complete reassembly (pic's below).

I know I was able to delete the safety (assume this included exchanging the safety for a similar thickness bushing).

Thank you, this is a big help. I am missing all the dinky bits on the left side of the top picture. Right now all I have is the composite handle shell, the metallic liner that slips inside handle shell, and the blade. I will have to find the hardware or end up making the parts once I can secure dimensional specifications. This is a first production run, so I know it was purchased new in the mid 1990s, around 1997 or so I am guessing. Thre have been some later iterations since then. Thank you kindly for your help. I sincerely appreciate your time and effort.

 

[killgar]

My Covert has two stainless steel liners. It's the tops of the liners that form the blade-stop.

If you have the locking liner, then it might be possible to make the opposite side liner. This would require some skill, and a small tap for the screw holes. If you're missing the locking liner, that would require a very high degree of skill to produce, as it's a complicated piece, and it's heat-treated to produce the spring of the lock.

Making the missing parts yourself really sounds like an uphill challenge. Like a Mount Everest challenge. Unless of course you're a machinist.

I don't mean to sound discouraging, but unless Gerber can supply you with parts, or you just happen to find them online, then you're probably out of luck. Maybe someone has a donor knife you can buy, one with a broken blade that is of no other use except all the other parts.

Best of luck.

 

[Craigjoe13]

Thanks for the response!
I was a journeyman machinist before I became an engineer, so i would easily be able to manufacture the required components, Unfortunately with my background in aerospace and racing R&D, I am wired to be a perfectionist, hence my quest to identify and replace any missing components. It is a double edged sword, both a blessing and curse. OEM parts are the premium option for what I need. If I cannot find the OEM parts I am looking for, a secondary opinion is to purchase a unit online, reverse engineer the required components, and reassemble/resell the unit I used as a replication model. Searching for the most efficient path at this point (LMAO!!). Keep me in mind if you think of anything that might assist in my quest if you can. Thanks so much for your advice and help. I sincerely appreciate it.

 

[Triton]

On the big auction site, somewhere between 60 and 100 dollars will buy you a covert. Any particular value of it being a first run is negated by most of the parts being missing. Unless this knife has some particular sentimental value or you just really like messing with things I can't imagine fabricating parts for a reasonably inexpensive knife.