I will learn ... eventually ...

[AimlessWanderer]

A few days ago, I made my first knife/tool purchases in rather a long time, and got my hands on them all today.

 

A canoe pattern knife is something I've been without for many years, and the regular two bladed penknives I already owned, were ones I'd been reluctant to carry for fear of losing them. I was intrigued by the old Sheffield made folding scissors too, and wanted a closer look at those in person. I also got a brand new Deluxe Tinker and a couple of pairs of Victorinox branded nail clippers at the same time.

The two Rough Riders are good enough to carry, but not special enough to fear losing or breaking them, and so is the Rodgers penknife with bail. The old engine turned Wostenholm is in better condition than I expected too, but I think the little scissors will need some work. I gave them all a little clean and oil, as I always do with the new acquisitions... then put them in the drawer along with all the other users that hardly get carried because I have so many. As soon as I did it, the first thing that popped into my head was "what was the smurfing point of that, you moron?"

 

I guess I just needed another reminder about how pointless buying more stuff is  : It'll be interesting too see how often I reach for one of them, or whether I'll just want to punch myself in the face everytime I open that drawer 

[Rapidray]

A few days ago, I made my first knife/tool purchases in rather a long time, and got my hands on them all today.

 (Image removed from quote.)

A canoe pattern knife is something I've been without for many years, and the regular two bladed penknives I already owned, were ones I'd been reluctant to carry for fear of losing them. I was intrigued by the old Sheffield made folding scissors too, and wanted a closer look at those in person. I also got a brand new Deluxe Tinker and a couple of pairs of Victorinox branded nail clippers at the same time.

The two Rough Riders are good enough to carry, but not special enough to fear losing or breaking them, and so is the Rodgers penknife with bail. The old engine turned Wostenholm is in better condition than I expected too, but I think the little scissors will need some work. I gave them all a little clean and oil, as I always do with the new acquisitions... then put them in the drawer along with all the other users that hardly get carried because I have so many. As soon as I did it, the first thing that popped into my head was "what was the smurfing point of that, you moron?"

 

I guess I just needed another reminder about how pointless buying more stuff is  : It'll be interesting too see how often I reach for one of them, or whether I'll just want to punch myself in the face everytime I open that drawer 

I am after a Canoe my self but only when I have extra extra money...as. I have way to many knives myself!
But those scissors are just to cool. It’s like a Bali song knife just in scissors. And the handle material is nice also. So can you give us any measurements on folded and open - the blade length? 

[AimlessWanderer]

I am after a Canoe my self but only when I have extra extra money...as. I have way to many knives myself!
But those scissors are just to cool. It’s like a Bali song knife just in scissors. And the handle material is nice also. So can you give us any measurements on folded and open - the blade length? 

The canoe was a Rough Rider. The princely sum of £14.95 I didn't fancy paying Case prices for one.

Scissors... pics attached, Ray.  They are going to need some thought and effort to get them back to their former glory. There's no backsprings in the handles (I think there was some internal mechanism, but it's snapped off), so they don't lock out, and the leaf springs that returned the scissors to their open position (like Victorinox scissors do) have disappeared at some point in time too. Essentially, they look quaint, but are currently useless.

I'll probably need to fashion new springs and/or peen the pivots tighter so they're more of a friction fit to get them back working again. I'm sure they have the potential to be resurrected somehow, but it's going to need a few coats of looking at  Of all the ones I've seen,they all had spring and handle issues, so while the scissor heads are sound, the handles could really do with rethinking so they're stronger than the original design.

[Rapidray]

The canoe was a Rough Rider. The princely sum of £14.95 I didn't fancy paying Case prices for one.

Scissors... pics attached, Ray.  They are going to need some thought and effort to get them back to their former glory. There's no backsprings in the handles (I think there was some internal mechanism, but it's snapped off), so they don't lock out, and the leaf springs that returned the scissors to their open position (like Victorinox scissors do) have disappeared at some point in time too. Essentially, they look quaint, but are currently useless.

I'll probably need to fashion new springs and/or peen the pivots tighter so they're more of a friction fit to get them back working again. I'm sure they have the potential to be resurrected somehow, but it's going to need a few coats of looking at  Of all the ones I've seen,they all had spring and handle issues, so while the scissor heads are sound, the handles could really do with rethinking so they're stronger than the original design.

Perfect! Thanks for the photos. Exactly what I was wanting and more! 

[Rapidray]

Found this - it has flat leaf springs. Don’t know how the photo will look.

[AimlessWanderer]

Thanks Ray 

It might be possible to modify and rivet on a leaf spring from a pair of Vic scissors. I'd have to try and find the original rivet holes to hatch them up too.

The bigger challenge though, is getting the handles to lock out.

Looking inside the handle, it's clear that the bent over spring part has snapped off. It seem that the flat plate on the outside of the handles is a spring, which was bent inwards and V notched. This allowed it to act on the squared off end sections on the scissor tang to lock them out, and the V notch allowed the scissors to close, with the V ground edges nestling in the notch. Unfortunately, that spring design hasn't proven too durable.

If I were to peen them tighter so they're more like a friction folder, it'll crack the scales right through, so I'd probably be better off stripping it down, and fitting brass scales instead. That way, I'd be able to tension the pins enough. I don't think there's an easy enough way for me to recreate the perpendicular type springs they originally had, and without the right tooling a treatment facilities, it would be a nightmare to try and replicate.

Even with leaf springs in place, and tensioned and rescaled handles, the scissor heads themselves need work. I can't unscrew them to work on them, as they've had the usual Sheffield scissor treatment of being assembled by screw, but then hand peened to fine tune the scissor action, and stop the screw coming out.

More work than I'm intending to do anytime soon, so these will go in the project box for worrying about at a later date.

[Rapidray]

Thanks Ray 

It might be possible to modify and rivet on a leaf spring from a pair of Vic scissors. I'd have to try and find the original rivet holes to hatch them up too.

The bigger challenge though, is getting the handles to lock out.

Looking inside the handle, it's clear that the bent over spring part has snapped off. It seem that the flat plate on the outside of the handles is a spring, which was bent inwards and V notched. This allowed it to act on the squared off end sections on the scissor tang to lock them out, and the V notch allowed the scissors to close, with the V ground edges nestling in the notch. Unfortunately, that spring design hasn't proven too durable.

If I were to peen them tighter so they're more like a friction folder, it'll crack the scales right through, so I'd probably be better off stripping it down, and fitting brass scales instead. That way, I'd be able to tension the pins enough. I don't think there's an easy enough way for me to recreate the perpendicular type springs they originally had, and without the right tooling a treatment facilities, it would be a nightmare to try and replicate.

Even with leaf springs in place, and tensioned and rescaled handles, the scissor heads themselves need work. I can't unscrew them to work on them, as they've had the usual Sheffield scissor treatment of being assembled by screw, but then hand peened to fine tune the scissor action, and stop the screw coming out.

More work than I'm intending to do anytime soon, so these will go in the project box for worrying about at a later date.

A project for a future date will work. They are interesting as is for sure, enjoy! 

[Blackbeard]

I guess I just needed another reminder about how pointless buying more stuff is  : It'll be interesting too see how often I reach for one of them, or whether I'll just want to punch myself in the face everytime I open that drawer 

Not pointless, if they bring you some level of joy even though you may not get the chance to use them as you intended, then it's a good thing in my book. We probably all have more knives then we can use, but the process of acquiring/owning and playing with them makes the BS life throws at you more tolerable.

[AimlessWanderer]

Not pointless, if they bring you some level of joy even though you may not get the chance to use them as you intended, then it's a good thing in my book. We probably all have more knives then we can use, but the process of acquiring/owning and playing with them makes the BS life throws at you more tolerable.

Well yeah, but the joy only lasts as long as it takes to dump them in the drawer, then comes the annoyance of having way too much stuff. You get so annoyed, it makes you want to buy yourself something to cheer yourself up... and that's how I got in this mess in the first place   

But at least I have spares ...

[Aloha]

Our curiosity seems to lead to purchase which leads to intention and upon receipt leads to several potential outcomes  . 

I acquired a few 84mm recruits.  I enjoyed carrying this model but in no way needed several.  I rationalized "if" one should be damaged I'd have a back up.  Sound familiar?  Well as time went on and much use there was no breakage so the backups began to feel like a burden.  Even tho the money spent was minimal I thought it was pretty lame to have bought so many. 

It was then that I decided to make one my primary kitchen knife.  I use it to cut pretty much everything and the can opener for my cans.  Its sits on top of my charging station at the ready and I couldn't be happier.  The other is a nice at home carry or if I want a simple SAK to take on a walk round the block. 

While I still have a 3rd that sits waiting for this breakage that likely will never come to the other 2 it is nice to have. 

As I am typing I am looking at several SAKs that could easily live elsewhere.  I count 12 in my line of sight  .  Each purchased out of curiosity as to what role it might play in my day to day.  Each put to task and each performed wonderfully.  Some lacking in specific roles however useful enough to keep at the ready. 

Enjoy the wonderful lot you recently acquired.     

[AimlessWanderer]

All seems very familiar 

I've got 25-ish trad slippies, 7 modern OHO slippies, 4 traditional looking but modern construction slippies, and roughly 16 or so Swiss knives at 84mm or larger (not counting mod fodder). I'll only carry one of those at any time, assuming I'm not relying on a bladed pliers tool, one of my few locking folders, or a myriad of sheath knives. Way too much (for me), but nothing really stands out as being something I want to get rid of. 

Quite tempted to just pick a select few item, and stick the rest in a shoebox or two. See if I can make it through a year with just those select few, and open the shoeboxes up up if I get tempted for something new - just to remind myself how much surplus crap I already have 

[Rapidray]

I have a lot of doubles, i.e. backups. I only have one knife that I have three of and thats my Fisherman only because one is a Hoffritz. It’s a tang stamp thing. 

[AimlessWanderer]

Following my earlier post, I've decided to go on a crash diet.

I've dumped the vast majority of my tools out of the drawers to free up storage space for stuff that will get more frequent use, leaving myself just a few choice tools (one drawer full) to work with.

Pliers tools
Vic Spirit X (and Vic hex bit wrench set)
LM Sideclip (and tool adapter)
Knifeless MP400 mod
IDL T7
(Gerber Dime on keys)

Swiss knives:
Voyager Lite
Deluxe Tinker
CT41
Stainless Pocket Tool Chest
(Alox Rambler on neck lanyard)

Trad Slippies:
Sheffield made carbon lambsfoot
Case herringbone barlow
RR canoe
RR baby copperhead
Chinese made barlow (sacrificial knife, for when there's a risk of loss or confiscation)

Misc:
A 2xAA light
A CR123 light
A AAA light
Two self-made sheath knives
Pocket nail clippers
Byrd Tern
Byrd Wings Slipit
Micra

I've also left my Vic Tourist in the kitchen drawer, and a few multitools that never get carried which just live in the toolbag permanently. I've also left alone the stuff on my keys, and the often carried neck lanyard. That means about 80% or more of my stuff has been "archived" (dumped in cardboard boxes). If one of the tools that I've left out gets broken, lost, or proves to be not up to the job, then I'll fetch something else out of the box. Otherwise, I'll leave it all in there for as long as I feel comfortable to do so.

I reckon these should handle every day, event, scenario, and trip, for 12 months easily. Not only will I reclaim a load of drawer space, and stop getting frustrated at seeing so much stuff whenever I go to get a tool out, but the selected tools will get chance to build up some more character. The only other time to open the box, will be if I get tempted to buy even more crap I don't need, and will benefit from the reminder of how much surplus is already here. 

Let's see how long this lasts 

[superpaco]

I gave them all a little clean and oil, as I always do with the new acquisitions... then put them in the drawer along with all the other users that hardly get carried because I have so many. As soon as I did it, the first thing that popped into my head was "what was the smurfing point of that, you moron?"

 

I guess I just needed another reminder about how pointless buying more stuff is  : It'll be interesting too see how often I reach for one of them, or whether I'll just want to punch myself in the face everytime I open that drawer 

I think you have a fantastic opportunity right here. You have a fistful of knives you like but don't love and that you didn't pay much for but they have value. I think you should seek out people in your life that would benefit from a new knife and give them one of your "dust collecting users". Not enough people carry knives anymore, getting one as a gift might compel them to change that. And if they get happy from your generosity you will get more happy from their good mood. Or maybe I'm just feeling hippie-ish today.

P.S. If you do gift someone a knife be sure to observe the superstition and do "the coin thing"....

[Aloha]

Limiting the choice factor should point you in the right direction.  Its hard having so many choices as to what to carry.  I tend to gravitate to what comfortable for me.  As time goes on I get curious and began to seek options and find myself with loads of tools at hand.  You've left out a lot of great tools to work with so this will be interesting.  The ones that went into storage shouldnt be missed for utility sake.  They might be missed for the fun factor or heck of it factor but time will tell. 

[AimlessWanderer]

I think you have a fantastic opportunity right here. You have a fistful of knives you like but don't love and that you didn't pay much for but they have value. I think you should seek out people in your life that would benefit from a new knife and give them one of your "dust collecting users". Not enough people carry knives anymore, getting one as a gift might compel them to change that. And if they get happy from your generosity you will get more happy from their good mood. Or maybe I'm just feeling hippie-ish today.

P.S. If you do gift someone a knife be sure to observe the superstition and do "the coin thing"....

I've gifted many a knife and tool over the years. Some took to it, but most didn't. The ones I have left are a good fit for me, and ones I don't feel compelled to part with on an individual basis, but cumulatively they are too much. Dumping all the excess in a box, and stashing it in the bottom of the wardrobe, frees up drawer space, and mind space.

If something gets lost, broken, or stolen, I have something stashed away that I can replace it with. No need to worry about tracking stuff down, or current market prices. No need to worry about changes in quality, or logistical/shipping challenges. Maybe I will sell/gift more later, but out of the drawer, and out of mind, will do for now.

[AimlessWanderer]

Limiting the choice factor should point you in the right direction.  Its hard having so many choices as to what to carry.  I tend to gravitate to what comfortable for me.  As time goes on I get curious and began to seek options and find myself with loads of tools at hand.  You've left out a lot of great tools to work with so this will be interesting.  The ones that went into storage shouldnt be missed for utility sake.  They might be missed for the fun factor or heck of it factor but time will tell.

Quite right! I've also got four multitools (Grappler, MP600 with shear heads, Vise Grips, and Powerlock) left out with my regular tools, as I don't have dedicated tools that do what they do. That one small drawer load should suffice indefinitely, barring loss or breakage, and it will be interesting to see whether I do miss anything, and why.

[Gerhard Gerber]

I guess I just needed another reminder about how pointless buying more stuff is  : It'll be interesting too see how often I reach for one of them, or whether I'll just want to punch myself in the face everytime I open that drawer 

I have too many knives, then I made some more that haven't sold, 3 months of employment left of 12 @ half salary.........financially ruined with an unclear future........and I've been in a battle with myself for more than a month not to order a Boker auto...

It's a disease 

[superpaco]

I've gifted many a knife and tool over the years. Some took to it, but most didn't. The ones I have left are a good fit for me, and ones I don't feel compelled to part with on an individual basis, but cumulatively they are too much. Dumping all the excess in a box, and stashing it in the bottom of the wardrobe, frees up drawer space, and mind space.

If something gets lost, broken, or stolen, I have something stashed away that I can replace it with. No need to worry about tracking stuff down, or current market prices. No need to worry about changes in quality, or logistical/shipping challenges. Maybe I will sell/gift more later, but out of the drawer, and out of mind, will do for now.

Yeah, I must have been feeling hippie-ish. What I wrote compelled me to consider gifting some of my knives and tools.    Lucky for me I came to my senses- I mean I only have like 30 or 40 of them! I'm not even sure that's enough to cover one man's needs let alone getting other people involved! So I'm glad your weren't taken in by my bout of whimsy, and I do apologize. I am more than sure I had had my full share of whiskey by the time I started to compose that reply.    So, in summation your present course of action seems perfectly logical and I heartily endorse it. As, upon further reflection this is exactly what I do; buy a couple of new knives, clean, polish, sharpen, fidget, and then store them for some rainy day while continuing to carry the same smurf I have carried for months if not years....

[AimlessWanderer]

Well, I had to reopen the box today, as I realised I had the mix of tools a bit wrong, and it had left the combos a bit wonky. I've corrected that now, and will hopefully start another thread in a few days, exploring the topic/experiment further.