Bent Back Spring (Swivel Bolster Switchblade)

A growing number of collectors customize their automatic knives by changing scales, bolsters, blades, doing fileworks, ... Wether you're a guru or just a wannabe knife modder, this is the place to discuss it!

Moderators: Bill DeShivs, The Motley Crew

Forum rules
There are a few things you should know before posting in these forums. If you are a new user, please click here and read carefully. Thanks a lot!
Post Reply
User avatar
novice
Posts: 102
Joined: Fri Apr 20, 2012 3:26 pm

Bent Back Spring (Swivel Bolster Switchblade)

Post by novice »

Bill:

I have a "J" marked Italian swivel bolster. It looks like someone pushed down too hard while cutting and bent the back spring so it won't lock when fired. The spring is complete and does not appear to be cracked just bent away from locking stud on the blade when open. Thinking about trying to repair it myself but a couple of questions:

Does the knife need to be torn down and spring removed to be bent back into correct position?

Does the spring need to be heat-treated afterwards?

Will much appreciate your reply.
sammy the blade
Posts: 4023
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 7:18 pm
Location: Indiana

Re: Bent Back Spring (Swivel Bolster Switchblade)

Post by sammy the blade »

If someone was trying to cut with it they must have been desperate. I've never owned a sharp stiletto, not saying there aren't any but I've owned quite a few and none of them were sharp.
2024 candidate for president
User avatar
novice
Posts: 102
Joined: Fri Apr 20, 2012 3:26 pm

Re: Bent Back Spring (Swivel Bolster Switchblade)

Post by novice »

sammy the blade wrote:If someone was trying to cut with it they must have been desperate. I've never owned a sharp stiletto, not saying there aren't any but I've owned quite a few and none of them were sharp.
Perhaps it belonged to Uri Geller previously?

/regardless, it's bent
User avatar
Bill DeShivs
Yes.
Posts: 7342
Joined: Sat May 25, 2002 2:50 pm
Location: In de lan o' cotton
Contact:

Re: Bent Back Spring (Swivel Bolster Switchblade)

Post by Bill DeShivs »

If the bend is just behind the tab, you might be able to slip flat-nosed pliers over the tab and bend it back in place.
If the bend is further back on the spring, the knife will have to be disassembed.
Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler
http://www.billdeshivs.com
Factory authorized repairs for:
Latama, Mauro Mario, LePre, Colonial, Kabar, Flylock, Schrade Cut Co., Presto, Press Button, Hubertus, Grafrath, Kuno Ritter knives, Puma, Burrell Cutlery.
User avatar
novice
Posts: 102
Joined: Fri Apr 20, 2012 3:26 pm

Re: Bent Back Spring (Swivel Bolster Switchblade)

Post by novice »

Bill DeShivs wrote: If the bend is further back on the spring, the knife will have to be disassembed.
This unfortunately, bend starts about 1/3 back from bolsters about even with button.

So just bent back to shape and nothing else re: temper?

Thanks for the reply.
User avatar
Bill DeShivs
Yes.
Posts: 7342
Joined: Sat May 25, 2002 2:50 pm
Location: In de lan o' cotton
Contact:

Re: Bent Back Spring (Swivel Bolster Switchblade)

Post by Bill DeShivs »

It will be very difficult to repair that bend.
Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler
http://www.billdeshivs.com
Factory authorized repairs for:
Latama, Mauro Mario, LePre, Colonial, Kabar, Flylock, Schrade Cut Co., Presto, Press Button, Hubertus, Grafrath, Kuno Ritter knives, Puma, Burrell Cutlery.
User avatar
novice
Posts: 102
Joined: Fri Apr 20, 2012 3:26 pm

Re: Bent Back Spring (Swivel Bolster Switchblade)

Post by novice »

Bill DeShivs wrote:It will be very difficult to repair that bend.
I figured as much. Puts me in the nothing to lose mangling & for science attempt.

Looking through my lost cause box discovered I have a Taiwan sex pin one with the same issue. I think I will try that one first.
sammy the blade
Posts: 4023
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 7:18 pm
Location: Indiana

Re: Bent Back Spring (Swivel Bolster Switchblade)

Post by sammy the blade »

Good idea.
2024 candidate for president
User avatar
john
Posts: 4524
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 11:40 am
Location: New England, MA USA

Re: Bent Back Spring (Swivel Bolster Switchblade)

Post by john »

Filed down the bottom bolster pin. The spring should move freely. Repair the bend; put a pin in the bottom bolster holding the spring in place. How’s it look? Does the blade fly open? Perfect! Peen the bottom pin.
If not perfect, try again.
Good luck!
Your friend on the web's most friendly community on knives and blades,
John

Massachusetts Where Everything is Illegal or Taxed
Fishtail Picklock
Posts: 2207
Joined: Sat May 03, 2003 11:10 pm
Location: Forest Grove, OR

Re: Bent Back Spring (Swivel Bolster Switchblade)

Post by Fishtail Picklock »

Good luck with that. It sounds like my last date. She broke a spring and died from the injury! :shock: :wink: :roll:
Fishtail Picklock
Post Reply