old switch knife repair/spring replacement

S

shibumei

Joined
Mar 10, 1999
Messages
4
Hello,
I have no expierience at knife making or repair but I have several very nice old switchs that only need to have the spring replaced. I have very basic questions:

1. What is the best way to remove the spring retaining rivet and where do I get a replacement rivet.

2. I do not have part knives to get the leaf type springs so I need to come up with a way to fabricate a new spring. Any suggestions on where to find spring steel of other material that I could either reshape or cut and get the functionality of the original springs.

I love these old knives and would really like to see them live again. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
I don't know what kind of autos you have, but you might need to cut the pins to disassemble the knives. The way I would cut the pins is to place an old thin bladed kitchen knife between the blade tang and liner and wask it with a hammer. I have done it this way and it workes for me. I do the rest of the pins the same way. Try real hard not to damage the liners or bend them. I have used stainless welding rods for pin. You can turn the pin down to size by chucking them into a drill and using a file or sand paper to cut them down. Look in the back of the knife mags to find one of the knife maker supply house. You might try Koval, Jantz, K&G, or Texas Knife Maker Supply. Some of these places have web pages also. You should be able to get some steel at one of these suppliers. This is not a real simple thing you are trying to do. But with some tools, patience and elbo grease it can be done. Check back with the fourm when you are unsure about something. And I am sure someone can help you out. Your fat little buddy in the Texas Panhandle.
Chris, Top of Texas Knives
www.toptexknives.com

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