I cleaned out the garage of a friend recently as a favor. In the process I ended up saving a couple of knives from the trash.
The first is a Kershaw 1550 blackout. The handle was melted like it was either on fire or it fell on hot exhaust. The tip has also been broken off. I can re-tip the blade, but it sounds like Kershaw will not repair knives that need handles, nor will they sell handles. Junk?
The second is what was at one point a brand new Gerber BMF. It probably sat on the garage floor in the sheath for about 15 years. As a result the sheath is filthy, and the knife itself has some surface rust and some of the sheath hardware is corroding. I think this one can be saved, but what is the best way to go about it? If I could take the knife apart, I could soak the blade, crossguard and pommel in Evaporust, but I'm not sure if it unscrews and I can't see a pin. Not sure what to do about the sheath either.
Ideas are appreciated.
Thanks.
Posts: 968 | Location: Midwest | Registered: April 13, 2013
The first is a Kershaw 1550 blackout. The handle was melted like it was either on fire or it fell on hot exhaust. The tip has also been broken off. I can re-tip the blade, but it sounds like Kershaw will not repair knives that need handles, nor will they sell handles. Junk?
Shape yourself some new scales! Wood, micarta, metal, other choices. Whatever you’re comfortable working in, or just willing to give a try. Give it new life. If you don’t like what you’ve made... make some more.
-- I always prefer reality when I can figure out what it is.
Regarding the BMF, if the corrosion is not too deep you would mask off the grip material and bead blast the metal. I've seen it done on a LMF. It will make a huge difference.
Shape yourself some new scales! Wood, micarta, metal, other choices. Whatever you’re comfortable working in, or just willing to give a try. Give it new life. If you don’t like what you’ve made... make some more.
That might be plan B. I have a note off to Kershaw, and we'll see what they say. This thing is mangled, if it was not from a buddy, it'd have been in the trash already.
Posts: 968 | Location: Midwest | Registered: April 13, 2013
Originally posted by JohnnyD: Regarding the BMF, if the corrosion is not too deep you would mask off the grip material and bead blast the metal. I've seen it done on a LMF. It will make a huge difference.
Other than one small spot, I think that would work well and would hide most everything. Unfortunately I don't have access to one locally.
Posts: 968 | Location: Midwest | Registered: April 13, 2013
Check with a machine shop. I have one here and they have done several firearms for and charge very little to do it. I had a stainless 1911 that I used for work that would get scratched up. Every other year, I would tear it down, drop it off, and 20 or 30 bucks later, it would look brand new.
Yeah, I used to have a couple of guns.
Posts: 434 | Location: North Central Ohio | Registered: February 08, 2009
Originally posted by Marcushoss: Check with a machine shop. I have one here and they have done several firearms for and charge very little to do it. I had a stainless 1911 that I used for work that would get scratched up. Every other year, I would tear it down, drop it off, and 20 or 30 bucks later, it would look brand new.
I wish I had a machine shop locally. I have a number of small lathe or mill projects the lack of local machine shops is impeding.
Posts: 968 | Location: Midwest | Registered: April 13, 2013
Gerber won't touch the BMF other than to sharpen it. However, they are sending me a NOS sheath for it.
Kershaw wrote me and said I could send my knife in and I replied asking about parts availability before wasting anyone's time. Waiting on a reply there.
I'd like to Evaporust my BMF, but I have not found a long enough container yet. I'll work on that this weekend.
Posts: 968 | Location: Midwest | Registered: April 13, 2013
The 1550 Blackout went back to Kershaw Thursday. We'll see what shows up in "up to six weeks". If they only hit my CC for $7, I'll know they are likely returning it unrepaired.
I found a plastic drywall mud pan at Menards for around $5 so my BMF went for a three day swim in some tired Evaporust. Most of the active rust cleaned up well, but the cutting edge is pitted and there is some pitting at the rear of the saw teeth. Not sure if I want to try and dress out the pitting yet, but I need to sharpen this knife regardless. The NOS sheath showed up from Gerber yesterday.
Posts: 968 | Location: Midwest | Registered: April 13, 2013
