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Tool Talk => Edged Tools => Topic started by: Fuzzbucket on January 08, 2019, 08:08:20 PM

Title: Old EKA Knife
Post by: Fuzzbucket on January 08, 2019, 08:08:20 PM
I was out shopping for a new settee today, but ended up buying a couple of cheep antique pocket knives and a pound of steak mince... as you do.

One of the pocket knives was just a little prince type two bladed affair that had a lovely back spring and scales... but the two blades were rather shagged, but I bought it anyway.

However, the other knife I thought was far more interesting and that's why I bought it. It's an old or oldish EKA with quite a charming blade on it, but what really caught my eye was the back spring - it was brass. I  can't remember every seeing that before, anyone else?

Anyway, I'm going to clean it up tomorrow.

(http://u.cubeupload.com/Fuzzbucket/41BE975CA7A74EC38278.jpeg)

(http://u.cubeupload.com/Fuzzbucket/947B0B3426E54AECAB5D.jpeg)

(http://u.cubeupload.com/Fuzzbucket/6FF9A5099E474B579019.jpeg)
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: RF52 on January 08, 2019, 08:13:58 PM
:popcorn:

Sent fra min FRD-L09 via Tapatalk

Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: gerleatherberman on January 08, 2019, 08:16:34 PM
Looks like a great knife(great stamping on tang)! But, that said, I haven't seen a brass back spring before. Can't imagine it being a good metal for that, but what do I know? I'm spoiled with those new fangled steel springs. :)
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: Aloha on January 08, 2019, 08:20:14 PM
Neat knives  :tu:.  Brass back spring?  Id have figured brass would be much to soft  :dunno:
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: Borg on January 08, 2019, 08:21:33 PM
New one on me too, good catch, shes a beauty   :tu:
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: Fuzzbucket on January 08, 2019, 08:23:23 PM
Yeah, it's ah... not got the greatest snap on it.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: Wspeed on January 08, 2019, 08:31:53 PM
Nice knives Fuzzy  :tu: :like:
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: VICMAN on January 08, 2019, 09:33:10 PM
I was out shopping for a new settee today, but ended up buying a couple of cheep antique pocket knives and a pound of steak mince... as you do.


However, the other knife I thought was far more interesting and that's why I bought it. It's an old or oldish EKA with quite a charming blade on it, but what really caught my eye was the back spring - it was brass. I  can't remember every seeing that before, anyone else?

Anyway, I'm going to clean it up tomorrow.



Nice find Fuzzbucket! :like: :tu: :tu:

I own a fair number of EKA's, but I have never seen one with a brass spring before. I would not think that brass would make for a good spring, but I think that is a cool find! :D

Possibly someone replaced the original spring.

I like EKA's, particularly the Super Swedes and Model 92's. They are great EDC knives. :cheers:


Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: gerleatherberman on January 08, 2019, 09:33:57 PM
Yeah, it's ah... not got the greatest snap on it.  :facepalm:
Possibly a knife that the original spring broke and someone, trying to save it, only had the stuff to grind/shape a piece of brass to make a spring? Although, it doesn't look like it has been disassembled. Maybe someone used that blade in a custom handle? And didn't realize brass is a terrible spring material?  :think: :dunno:
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: cody6268 on January 08, 2019, 09:36:49 PM
Brass springs were common in the days when stainless alloys were decent for blades, but proved too brittle for springs. Somewhere I've got a little Latama keyring knife that's got chrome plated brass springs.

That's a nice looking EKA. I really don't like today's plastic scaled ones as they're always cracked right out of the box, not to mention $25-30. I paid $8 each for the two Swede 88s I have, and woudln't pay a penny more; even though the Sandvik 12C27 steel is awesome. My favorite EKAs are the three-bladed Gentleman's Knives, with a blade, nailfile, and combination screwdriver/bottle opener. Not to mention cool scales based on Viking patterns.
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: Fuzzbucket on January 08, 2019, 10:22:22 PM
Thank's everybody - great comments and info as usual!  :cheers:

If I get the chance tomorrow, I'll give it a bit of a clean and post some more pics. I tell you what's ironic though and only just noticed it, it's got a brass spring and liners, but steel bolsters!  :o
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: Fuzzbucket on January 08, 2019, 10:24:58 PM
Brass springs were common in the days when stainless alloys were decent for blades, but proved too brittle for springs. Somewhere I've got a little Latama keyring knife that's got chrome plated brass springs.

That's a nice looking EKA. I really don't like today's plastic scaled ones as they're always cracked right out of the box, not to mention $25-30. I paid $8 each for the two Swede 88s I have, and woudln't pay a penny more; even though the Sandvik 12C27 steel is awesome. My favorite EKAs are the three-bladed Gentleman's Knives, with a blade, nailfile, and combination screwdriver/bottle opener. Not to mention cool scales based on Viking patterns.

Go on, post a pic - you know you want to!  :pok:
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: cody6268 on January 08, 2019, 11:31:36 PM
Brass springs were common in the days when stainless alloys were decent for blades, but proved too brittle for springs. Somewhere I've got a little Latama keyring knife that's got chrome plated brass springs.

That's a nice looking EKA. I really don't like today's plastic scaled ones as they're always cracked right out of the box, not to mention $25-30. I paid $8 each for the two Swede 88s I have, and woudln't pay a penny more; even though the Sandvik 12C27 steel is awesome. My favorite EKAs are the three-bladed Gentleman's Knives, with a blade, nailfile, and combination screwdriver/bottle opener. Not to mention cool scales based on Viking patterns.

Go on, post a pic - you know you want to!  :pok:

Sure, no problem. The Latama and an EKA Swingblade Fish Knife was in that same tacklebox (that's mostly what my collection is stored in, tough and cheap) too.


The Gentleman's Knife advertises Flygt, a Swedish pump manufacturer. Comes with a sewn ( upholstery vinyl?) pouch

(http://i.imgur.com/1vzZlvr.jpg) (https://imgur.com/1vzZlvr)

(http://i.imgur.com/MMDVVUO.jpg) (https://imgur.com/MMDVVUO)



The Latama (made in Italy, but Latama was an NY based importer, not a manufacturer) has three blades: knife, nailfile, and snuff spoon/cuticle pusher. These were made in the 1950s and 1960s. The blade is not damaged, they came from the factory with this weird tanto-like tip. The boxes even had an illustration that showed the tip (should have bought that one, it was cheap, and having never been used) Don't know what it would be good for. And a removable tool, which is a combination tweezers and scissors, really good ones I might add. There should be a shackle, but it has been broken off or removed.

(http://i.imgur.com/QGFd4YS.jpg) (https://imgur.com/QGFd4YS)

(http://i.imgur.com/D7G5jIf.jpg) (https://imgur.com/D7G5jIf)



The Swingblade has a semi-flexible fillet-boning blade and a gut hook. Rotate it around to access the guthook. Bought as my main fillet knife, but I think I've used it to cook with twice, and once as a steak knife.  This will be a secondary to the main knife when hunting or fishing. The real problem is its sheath, which offers NO retention, part of the reason I ruled actually using it out. I put some electrical tape on the inside, which seems to help, not much. It's nowhere near what the retention is of a Mora.  Turn it upside down, knife falls out. I think the Martinni made Rapala will do just fine, and has a nice leather sheath with plastic liner that holds the knife great. Not to mention, the EKA's MSRP was $80 (think I paid $15), the Rapala $20 (I paid $10). If I'm paying $80 for a knife, it's going to be of impeccable quality, and design and have a super steel blade (i.e. S30V)

(http://i.imgur.com/ee9vaYu.jpg) (https://imgur.com/ee9vaYu)


(http://i.imgur.com/tutvC2V.jpg) (https://imgur.com/tutvC2V)



Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: Gareth on January 08, 2019, 11:38:14 PM
That's nothing.  I have a friend who went out for a loaf of bread and ended up with a new sofa.  :D
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: Sparky415 on January 09, 2019, 07:16:24 AM
As you do...…  :D

I like the look of that EKA knife and the spring is a puzzle  :tu:
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: Fuzzbucket on January 10, 2019, 12:14:03 PM
stuff...

stuff...

stuff...


The Gentleman's Knife advertises Flygt, a Swedish pump manufacturer. Comes with a sewn ( upholstery vinyl?) pouch

(http://i.imgur.com/1vzZlvr.jpg) (https://imgur.com/1vzZlvr)

(http://i.imgur.com/MMDVVUO.jpg) (https://imgur.com/MMDVVUO)



The Latama (made in Italy, but Latama was an NY based importer, not a manufacturer) has three blades: knife, nailfile, and snuff spoon/cuticle pusher. These were made in the 1950s and 1960s. The blade is not damaged, they came from the factory with this weird tanto-like tip. The boxes even had an illustration that showed the tip (should have bought that one, it was cheap, and having never been used) Don't know what it would be good for. And a removable tool, which is a combination tweezers and scissors, really good ones I might add. There should be a shackle, but it has been broken off or removed.

(http://i.imgur.com/QGFd4YS.jpg) (https://imgur.com/QGFd4YS)

(http://i.imgur.com/D7G5jIf.jpg) (https://imgur.com/D7G5jIf)
...

I remember seeing these as a little kid at Christmas time, I remember the little black slips they came in! Infact, I probably saw these before I saw/became aware of a lot of Swiss Army stuff.  :tu:

Cheers for that!

 :cheers:

ps. Those scissors are quite something too!
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: Nix on January 10, 2019, 03:44:02 PM
 :popcorn:
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: Fuzzbucket on January 10, 2019, 04:45:26 PM
Cleaned it up a bit.

(http://u.cubeupload.com/Fuzzbucket/A49B0EE4BD154D878785.jpeg)

(http://u.cubeupload.com/Fuzzbucket/E7B4A3875F874215B23C.jpeg)

(http://u.cubeupload.com/Fuzzbucket/FC820A589692433CB132.jpeg)

(http://u.cubeupload.com/Fuzzbucket/359CCB965C4A477E9AA1.jpeg)
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: SteveC on January 10, 2019, 04:48:13 PM
Nice looking knife !   :like: :like: :tu:
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: Fuzzbucket on January 10, 2019, 04:51:49 PM
Cheers! The lockup's a bit wibbly-wobbly though - the brass spring looks nice, but that about it.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: Nix on January 10, 2019, 04:56:12 PM
A darling!  :like:
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: Fuzzbucket on January 10, 2019, 04:57:26 PM
A darling!  :like:

A Swedish darling, if you don't mind!  :D
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: Nix on January 10, 2019, 04:58:02 PM
And, somehow, that does seem to make a difference.......  :rofl:
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: Fuzzbucket on January 10, 2019, 04:59:16 PM
Forgot to say, takes an excellent edge - didn't take much to get it shaving sharp... it's a proper hair popper!  :tu:
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: Nix on January 10, 2019, 05:01:14 PM
Nice. It's that lovely Sweedish steel, isn't it?  :dd:
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: Fuzzbucket on January 10, 2019, 05:01:55 PM
And, somehow, that does seem to make a difference.......  :rofl:

It does, doesn't it.  :rofl:
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: Mechanickal on January 10, 2019, 05:23:29 PM
Great find Fuzzy! :tu:
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: Fuzzbucket on January 10, 2019, 06:13:13 PM
Cheers Mechy - I thought you'd like that.  :cheers:
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: VICMAN on January 10, 2019, 06:19:18 PM
Cleaned it up a bit.


Looks good Fuzzbucket! :like:  :tu: :tu:

I think it is a cool knife! :D
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: Fuzzbucket on January 10, 2019, 06:26:21 PM
Cleaned it up a bit.


Looks good Fuzzbucket! :like:  :tu: :tu:

I think it is a cool knife! :D

Cheers! Good knife for pottering about at home with.  :cheers:
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: Sparky415 on January 10, 2019, 07:22:50 PM
Looks very nice now Mate  :tu:
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: Fuzzbucket on January 10, 2019, 07:29:06 PM
Cheers mate! Brass makes a terrible spring though... as you would expect. I cleaned the joint earlier and I can already see a fresh coating of brass on the tang where it's just rubbed another layer off!  :ahhh
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: Sparky415 on January 10, 2019, 07:46:43 PM

I don't know what the answer is to that  :think:

 :think: :think: :think:
So how about this, as brass can be porous how about making sure there's a good drop of mineral oil on/in the backspring in the hopes that it will wick out and lower the wear at the pivot?
Bugger me I'm full of ideas this evening   :woohoo:
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: Fuzzbucket on January 10, 2019, 07:57:00 PM
... or... I could smack it with a lump hammer?
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: Sparky415 on January 10, 2019, 08:03:28 PM
Lump hammers are always good  :tu:

But it is a good looking knife how it is  :pok:
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: McStitchy on January 10, 2019, 08:49:03 PM
Cleaned it up a bit.

(http://u.cubeupload.com/Fuzzbucket/A49B0EE4BD154D878785.jpeg)

(http://u.cubeupload.com/Fuzzbucket/E7B4A3875F874215B23C.jpeg)

(http://u.cubeupload.com/Fuzzbucket/FC820A589692433CB132.jpeg)

(http://u.cubeupload.com/Fuzzbucket/359CCB965C4A477E9AA1.jpeg)

Gorgeous Fuzzy, that cleaned up nicely  :o
And super cool just for the brass spring alone  :hatsoff:
Title: Re: Old EKA Knife
Post by: Fuzzbucket on January 11, 2019, 01:43:31 PM
Cleaned it up a bit.

(http://u.cubeupload.com/Fuzzbucket/A49B0EE4BD154D878785.jpeg)

(http://u.cubeupload.com/Fuzzbucket/E7B4A3875F874215B23C.jpeg)

(http://u.cubeupload.com/Fuzzbucket/FC820A589692433CB132.jpeg)

(http://u.cubeupload.com/Fuzzbucket/359CCB965C4A477E9AA1.jpeg)

Gorgeous Fuzzy, that cleaned up nicely  :o
And super cool just for the brass spring alone  :hatsoff:

Cheers Matt, yep it's going on a book shelf now as a curiosity.  :tu: