Anyone willing to take this on? (Knife Repair work)

EdCaffreyMS

EdCaffreyMS

"The Montana Bladesmith"
I received a request from a lady, asking if I could repair this knife. She'd like it back in repaired/restored condition..... it needs a new tang, handle, etc. She says it's a family heirloom, and wants to hand down to her children.

After studying the pic, my opinion is that it's not something I want to do. My rate for "repair" work is $65 per hour, and I could see this thing running into DAYS of work, which I'd rather not (and I suspect she'd not like the total $$$). I also think any type of repair on something this far gone is only going to come back to haunt me later. I suspect that it's doable for someone with TIG capability, but I don't have a TIG. I also think that the rear (broken off) part of the tang is pretty much useless, and would have to be replaced. The lady sounds sincere about wanting it repaired, so if anyone would like to take on the project, let me know and I will put you in contact with her.

broken_Knife.jpg
 
Not sure what she means by

EdCaffreyMS said:
She'd like it back in repaired/restored condition
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IMHO there is nothing to be repaired, it is too far gone, and it looks like anything you would attempt at this point would be a fruitless effort! If the steel is a deteriorated as it appears in the photo, I doubt successful welding would be possible. Not saying you can't weld it but truly what are you going to have when done!!

If you are like me I just hate situations like this one! Where you have got to tell someone their family heirloom, looks more like an artifact than something repairable! I wonder where the heck this knife has been. It obviously wasn't in a drawer somewhere!

Glad its you and not me! When I did construction, it always pulled at my heart strings when some little old lady would call me to fix something on their home. You end up having to tell them your house is about to rot down around your ears and at this point there is no patch or a cheep fix gonna work!!
 
That's my struggle here..... I want to save the knife for the lady, but also know that it's likely not going to end good. I also sent the photo off to a couple other MS for opinions, and am waiting on their input, but I suspect they will have the same opinion I do.

If either of them thinks they can pull off the repair, I'll be referring the lady to them. I've learned to listen to that "inner voice", and the "red lights" in my head....... there's been too many times I've ignored them, and regretted it later. :)
 
I’m thinking the tang can be saved with welding two thin outer layers like a sandwich.
 
I'm relatively new to this but that thing looks shot! Maybe weld the handle up put some beat up scales on it put it in a frame and hang it in the wall??
 
Ed, I wasn't saying it couldn't be done as you said, I just doubt what you are going to have when finished!

If there is enough good metal still left in the front area of the tang, it could be welded. However as we both know a weld is going to create a whole new problem area.

I hear those same warning bells you spoke of, when I look at that one in the sense of doing a repair that would allow for a worry free use of the knife!!

I would be interested in hearing the opinions of the other MS's!

Something just hit me as I was about to post this. This is just a thought. Early trade knives (1800's from the book, Firearms, Traps, and Tools of the Mountain Men, by Carl P Russell) were made with a half tang.
There is also an extensive discussion with knife maker, Wick Ellbere http://www.wickellerbe.com/ Wick and the late Chuck Burrows, http://contemporarymakers.blogspot.com/2009/10/chuck-burrows-knife-and-sheath.html and some others, about half tang early trade knives. Although I can't find the discussion at the moment to reference it! Chuck has passed so Wick carries on in the knowledge area. The two of them are like walking encyclopedias when it comes to authentic 1800 1900 period about knives and other subjects!!!

So theoretically a half tang would be strong enough to work. However this half tang has extensive damage from the rust!! So not sure how well this one would hold up!!
 
EdCaffreyMS said:
That's my struggle here..... I want to save the knife for the lady, but also know that it's likely not going to end good. I also sent the photo off to a couple other MS for opinions, and am waiting on their input, but I suspect they will have the same opinion I do.

If either of them thinks they can pull off the repair, I'll be referring the lady to them. I've learned to listen to that "inner voice", and the "red lights" in my head....... there's been too many times I've ignored them, and regretted it later. :)
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I just can't believe I heard Ed say he didn't have! That's a big one too me from the guy who has 2 or 3 of everything no Tig welder. :)
 
I just can't believe I heard Ed say he didn't have! That's a big one too me from the guy who has 2 or 3 of everything no Tig welder. :)
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At one time I did have a TIG..... but it got used so little that I just couldn't justify it's existence in my shop.....and when an individual offered a wad of cash for it...... well, it sorta went away. ;) Since then there's only been a couple of times that I wished for one....but it quickly passed.
 
Possibly make a hidden tang by adding a section of chain and a threaded tang?
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That was one of my first thoughts. When I told the individual about that idea, it was rejected because "I want it as close to original as possible."
I find it interesting how someone begs and pleads for you to "fix it", and then starts putting conditions on how it's accomplished. That was one of the reasons I don't wanna tackle this one.... my instincts tell me that no matter what, it's gona be a recurring bad dream. :)

I did send the pic to a couple of my fellow Bladesmtihs that I look up to, and both of them said they wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole. :)
 
EdCaffreyMS said:
That was one of my first thoughts. When I told the individual about that idea, it was rejected because "I want it as close to original as possible."
I find it interesting how someone begs and pleads for you to "fix it", and then starts putting conditions on how it's accomplished. That was one of the reasons I don't wanna tackle this one.... my instincts tell me that no matter what, it's gona be a recurring bad dream. :)

I did send the pic to a couple of my fellow Bladesmtihs that I look up to, and both of them said they wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole. :)
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Know what your saying best to probably pass .
 
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