A Soldiers tale:Kirks small adventure in Alox

[kirk13]

Although I've a small number of Alox SAKs ,I would never describe myself as an Alox nut,but recently I found I lost my heart to an old Soldier.

I recieved it in a trade,with the idea that it would be suitable mod fodder,as I've been kicking around the idea of getting a custom 93mm made up.But on receiving it,the battered old Soldier stole my heart.Its blade had lost its tip and any semblance of sn edge,the tools were nearly seized solid,and the classic Victorinox snap nowhere to be found.

Immediately the old girl was settled into a bath of WD40 for 36hrs or so.A. Lot of dirt got scrubbed and picked out and suddenly the old girl started feeling like a SAK again.The joints still felt a little gritty,but some light oil helped with that.

Traditionally I've been an utter smurf at sharpening blades,but I'd bought myself a Lansky Sharpener for my birthday last year,so it was time to put it to work...

I used the 30 degree setting and set to re profiling the blade,and putting a grind on it.I love the Lansky...there's something very satisfying about using it.I was nearly late for nightshift at work because I lost myself in the sharpening!

Picking up again the next day,I used my Vic combo sharpener to put a final cutting edge on the blade...and once again the '85 Victorinox Soldier was ready for service







Thing is,I don't think this restoration is finished yet...

I hope it's clear in the photographs,but the '85 has a lot of scratching and some discolouration to the steel.I don't know whether to keep the blade as it is,as there's a lot of character in this...or whether to try polishing back up to a shine.

The awl locks nicely into place,but doesn't snap shut...it kinda just gentle closes.I don't know whether there's just more gunk that needs working out,or is there a problem with the back spring?

I'm not sure whether to make up a lanyard to pass through the hollow rivet,or to try fabricate a bail?

Well folks,what do you think?

[Jailbird]

That thing looks great! Good job on the restoration.

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[Nhoj]

Go for it and make a bail. I'm sure it'll be nice on that knife. Good job restoring it

[styx]

Well Kirky, you're guilty of really good restoration

[Sparky415]

Well Kirky, you're guilty of really good restoration

+1 looks great to me Mate 

[kirk13]

Thank you gents   

And feelings on whether I should polish up he blade?

[Sparky415]

No, leave it as it is its got history 

[Taxi Dad]

they are "Battle scars" !

[Farmman]

I would give it ago.  It is a project knife which you should use to learn for future projects.

[Saluki]

You mentioned the awl that doesn't have much snap and that it might have some more gunk to work out.  I had a beat up Soldier once that still seemed to have a weak spring on the knife blade even after it had been cleaned.  Upon further inspection, I noticed that the knife looked like it had been dropped on its end, because the alox scales had some slight dents near the end of the knife.  The dents slightly deformed the end of the scales and caused a small lip to form on the inside edge of the scales.  I discovered that this lip was putting extra resistance on the tang of the blade as it moved past this part of the scale.  I used a small file and some sandpaper and removed the lip from the inner edge of the scale.  This allowed the blade to move freely, and the familiar snap returned.

This might be something to check for if you feel that you have thoroughly cleaned it.

[kirk13]

You mentioned the awl that doesn't have much snap and that it might have some more gunk to work out.  I had a beat up Soldier once that still seemed to have a weak spring on the knife blade even after it had been cleaned.  Upon further inspection, I noticed that the knife looked like it had been dropped on its end, because the alox scales had some slight dents near the end of the knife.  The dents slightly deformed the end of the scales and caused a small lip to form on the inside edge of the scales.  I discovered that this lip was putting extra resistance on the tang of the blade as it moved past this part of the scale.  I used a small file and some sandpaper and removed the lip from the inner edge of the scale.  This allowed the blade to move freely, and the familiar snap returned.

This might be something to check for if you feel that you have thoroughly cleaned it.

Thank you Thats well worth a look