Project Soldier 44 (warning:content may pain some)image heavy

HawkeyX · **on:** December 19, 2010, 02:28:44 AM

Whilst I am one for treasuring old stuff, I don't particularly support locking things away to preserve them (unless super rare)...rather I prefer keeping them in operation.
With the idea to have a strong edc, I committed in some eyes sacrilege and began to work on this old gem, a 1944 Soldier.
It all started here:

Off came the scales. Messy under there...guess thats what 66 years does.

The can opener was tighter than other oldies I had felt and I decided I was going to recess the rivets, so I ground off the old steel pins with the plan to replace with some brass units. New brass pins are 1/8" and 3/32", so still plenty strong comparing to newer knives. I could not work out how to take apart the blade side, but all tools got a good polish to remove rust/pitting as much as possible. I also carefully filed about a half mm or so off the can opener spring, testing along the way so I could just open it with minimal thumb pain lol :

I then decided I would like to have a go at making some micarta. I used this as my guide:
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?21836-Home-grown-quot-micarta-quot-%28picture-intensive%29
After a visit to the local material shop I settled on jute as my material of choice. Set about chopping it to size, dipped each sheet through resin and laid up on a piece of wood with wax paper. Once all layers were on I wrapped the wax paper and clamped on another piece of wood, evenly, and let dry for about 6 hours. After an initial cleanup I was very happy with the result of my first try (I have done plenty of fiberglassing in the past):

I then made a template from the old scales and sanded away to create my new scales:

After rubbing down to 2000grit I just needed to finish off and remove the small pinholes...

...But I changed my mind again and went back to wood (Rimu, linseed oiled about 6 times, dried in between each layer and waxed)

Overall, im happy with my result. It feels great to hold, has so much more weight to it than the newer soldiers. I will edc it as much as I can I think,but as I often use the small screwdriver head on the modern can opener I will have to see how I go.

Gareth · **Reply #1 on:** December 19, 2010, 02:32:14 AM

Looks excellent.

Nothing wrong with putting a new bit of life into an old soldier IMO.

gustophersmob · **Reply #2 on:** December 19, 2010, 03:22:05 AM

Looks very nice! I think the wood was an excellent choice as well

alelser · **Reply #3 on:** December 19, 2010, 03:30:15 AM

Outstanding!

stressmaster5000 · **Reply #4 on:** December 19, 2010, 03:37:24 AM

Great job!

Smitty44 · **Reply #5 on:** December 19, 2010, 05:55:06 AM

Great restoration HackeyX,and really like that year.

J-sews · **Reply #6 on:** December 19, 2010, 06:28:26 AM

Fine work there sir!

The homemade micarta idea would have never occurred to me.

prime77 · **Reply #7 on:** December 19, 2010, 06:29:32 AM

Great post. I like the wood look and think you made a good choice. I have thought about making some new scales for my old soldier but I have no skills at making new ones.

HawkeyX · **Reply #8 on:** December 19, 2010, 08:45:09 AM

Thanks!

AHB · **Reply #9 on:** December 19, 2010, 09:38:05 AM

Excellent work both of them..

Neil · **Reply #10 on:** December 19, 2010, 10:26:57 AM

I think the two tone micarta would look cool on a smaller SAK if you have any left. Don't forget to post pics if you give it a go

I hope you like your new/old carry

Good work

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #11 on:** December 19, 2010, 10:42:10 AM

Very impressive work mate

edcgear · **Reply #12 on:** December 19, 2010, 11:38:20 AM

Screwtape · **Reply #13 on:** December 19, 2010, 12:24:08 PM

Lovely work, good choice on the wood finish imho

nuphoria · **Reply #14 on:** December 19, 2010, 06:02:54 PM

I like the micarta too, but that really does look excellent. Thanks for posting it

Sparky415 · **Reply #15 on:** December 19, 2010, 07:00:08 PM

That looks very nice

I do like your micarta but prefer the wood in this case

ICanFixThat · **Reply #16 on:** December 19, 2010, 07:20:23 PM

Wow!! Great Post! That's a really great restoration.

I don't think many would be upset with what you've done here.

I'm not that familar with knife making and assembly. With straight pins like that, what is structurally holding the knife together?

HawkeyX · **Reply #17 on:** December 20, 2010, 08:46:25 AM

Cheers again

Quote from: Neil on December 19, 2010, 10:26:57 AM

I think the two tone micarta would look cool on a smaller SAK if you have any left. Don't forget to post pics if you give it a go

Must be reading my mind...time will tell

Quote from: ICanFixThat on December 19, 2010, 07:20:23 PM

I'm not that familar with knife making and assembly. With straight pins like that, what is structurally holding the knife together?

Its essentially the same as other sak's when taken apart (well, except I didnt get the blade side apart), so pins and thin layers between the tools - steel in this case rather than alloy as in newer models.