how do I assemble this if I take it apart? - UPDATED WITH NEW PICTURES

[COSMO]

greeting BF folks:

Here is the Normark that I purchased because growing up my dad had one in his tackle box. I saw it on the table at the flea market and of course could not resist. My understanding is that you can break these down for cleaning and put them back together. Anyone ever done this? I have seen some people claiming they could not get it back together. Any tricks or photos people have would be cool to see. I have seen some images of how it looks broken down, but nothing on how to put back together.

3-12-22 UPDATE - The donor knife that I bought on the big auction site arrived and the brass screws are a perfect match, and a perfect fit. I did not end up taking either knife apart, but who knows, I still can. very happy with the "Big Swede," just like the one I remember growing up. Gotta take it over to show my dad, I am sure he'll remember it. Thanks for all the input.

Thanks

Cosmo.

 

[midnight flyer]

I think taking apart knives because one feels the urge to clean something makes doesn't make much sense. (However, constant cleaning makes perfect sense to my significant other!)

Why do you need to clean that knife? For an older specimen, it looks to me to be in excellent shape. Does it grind when you open it? Does it have a foul odor, something that smells like rotten fish or other flesh from using it on an animal? Is there something that is keeping the knife from operating properly? Although I know many here like to take their knives apart claiming "maintenance" needs, I think they just like to play with their knives. Nothing at all wrong with that.

I have no safe queens. Carrying folders for about 60 years now for work, play, etc., and I have taken exactly I knife apart to clean it. I got so much caulk/adhesive on the blade and inside the handle of the folder I had no choice. It dried by the time I got home and no solvents could dislodge the dried adhesive. Even hunting knives that weren't 100% clean before they were stored and developed a "funk" were easily cleaned with soap and hot water, sanitized with 70% alcohol, then dried out. Oil 'em up after that, and they are fine.

Unless you want take it apart, oil it up, sharpen it and put it to work!

 

[COSMO]

I think taking apart knives because one feels the urge to clean something makes doesn't make much sense. (However, constant cleaning makes perfect sense to my significant other!)

Why do you need to clean that knife? For an older specimen, it looks to me to be in excellent shape. Does it grind when you open it? Does it have a foul odor, something that smells like rotten fish or other flesh from using it on an animal? Is there something that is keeping the knife from operating properly? Although I know many here like to take their knives apart claiming "maintenance" needs, I think they just like to play with their knives. Nothing at all wrong with that.

I have no safe queens. Carrying folders for about 60 years now for work, play, etc., Iand I have taken exactly I knife apart to clean it. I got so much caulk/adhesive on the blade and inside the handle of the folder I had no choice. It dried by the time I got home and no solvents could dislodge the dried adhesive. Even hunting knives that weren't 100% clean before they were stored and developed a "funk" were easily cleaned with soap and hot water, sanitized with 70% alcohol, then dried out. Oil 'em up after that, and they are fine.

Unless you want take it apart, oil it up, sharpen it and put it to work!

Thanks for your input, I appreciate it. I don't have a specific reason for opening it up. When I bought it, it was missing a screw. I just bought a beater on the big auction site so I can transplant a screw into the one you see in the picture (missing screw is on the other side). plan is to add a little loctite as these are prone to screw loss. I do kind of want to see how it works, but not enough to disassemble it if I can't get it back together. If I had it open, I would probably give the brass parts a shine up. there is a brass lanyard ring that ejects from the back, hard to see in the pic.

Cosmo

 

[rpttrsn]

It doesn't look like it would be very hard to do. If you must take it apart take a photo of each step. Then you would have the order to assemble. It doesn't look like there is any springs in that type of knife which is most of the problems some would have if they didn't know how they go back in. Take it apart in a large plastic bag so the parts don't get away from you.

 

[midnight flyer]

Thanks for your input, I appreciate it. I don't have a specific reason for opening it up. When I bought it, it was missing a screw. I just bought a beater on the big auction site so I can transplant a screw into the one you see in the picture (missing screw is on the other side). plan is to add a little loctite as these are prone to screw loss. I do kind of want to see how it works, but not enough to disassemble it if I can't get it back together. If I had it open, I would probably give the brass parts a shine up. there is a brass lanyard ring that ejects from the back, hard to see in the pic.

Cosmo

Sounds like you have already found the proper solution. It is back in action, 100% intact and working well. Let sleeping dogs lie, or consider the alternative.

Is it worth throwing off the adjustment of the knife so you can see what is inside? I agree with rpttrsn it doesn't look too difficult, but what if yours is? Where would you go to get it repaired if you couldn't figure it out? You could go a couple of decades more and never have to disassemble it as it sits now. But if you screw it up you will be smacking your forehead every time you see it after that. Just sayin...

 

[Bob Denman]

Unless it's feeling "gritty": I'd advise leaving it alone.

 

[killgar]

Some disassembly pics (not mine).

It doesn't look that complicated. If those liners are brass it might not be a bad idea to clean them up, particularly if a previous owner exposed the knife to liquids.
Based on the pictures, it looks like that knife has a lot of nooks and crannies inside that could trap crud, I would definitely take it apart and see if it needed a good internal cleaning. But that's me. And it's not like you have to worry about voiding the warranty.

Personally, I don't like my knives "keeping secrets" from me. If it's held together with screws, I take it apart. But then I've been doing all of my own engine, carburetor, and general maintenance work on my motorcycles for over 3 decades, so taking a knife apart and reassembling it is pretty simple.

Of course, come to think of it, if I wasn't always taking things apart as a kid, learning how to do it, I'm sure I would have had to pay thousands of dollars to mechanics over the years for basic bike maintenance. So there is something to be said for taking things apart, figuring out how they work, and then figuring out how to put them back together. That is a skill that can serve a person well in life. And I think something as simple as a folding knife is a good place to start learning.

 

[hhmoore]

While I lean strongly toward the camp of not disassembling knives just for the heck of it, imo you're overlooking the obvious. You bought a beater to get a part - why not disassemble that one? If it doesn't go back together, who cares?!?!
Take pictures during each step of the disassembly, and take notes on the order in which you remove the parts. Sometimes, reassembly isn't as straightforward as reversing the process; but the pictures can help you (us) figure out options if you run into problems.

 

[COSMO]

Some disassembly pics (not mine).

It doesn't look that complicated. If those liners are brass it might not be a bad idea to clean them up, particularly if a previous owner exposed the knife to liquids.
Based on the pictures, it looks like that knife has a lot of nooks and crannies inside that could trap crud, I would definitely take it apart and see if it needed a good internal cleaning. But that's me. And it's not like you have to worry about voiding the warranty.

Personally, I don't like my knives "keeping secrets" from me. If it's held together with screws, I take it apart. But then I've been doing all of my own engine, carburetor, and general maintenance work on my motorcycles for over 3 decades, so taking a knife apart and reassembling it is pretty simple.

Of course, come to think of it, if I wasn't always taking things apart as a kid, learning how to do it, I'm sure I would have had to pay thousands of dollars to mechanics over the years for basic bike maintenance. So there is something to be said for taking things apart, figuring out how they work, and then figuring out how to put them back together. That is a skill that can serve a person well in life. And I think something as simple as a folding knife is a good place to start learning.

thanks so much this is very cool and helpful.

 

[COSMO]

Updated this so bumping it back up----