Restoring a Case folding knife

[John_R]

I bought this Case aluminum handled knife in 1980 so it has sentimental value. Unfortunately I was stupid and in the last few years broke the tip off the blade. How hard is it to re-shape the blade and make it useful again? Case might be able to replace or reshape the blade, but the cost is likely more than the knife is worth.

This is a pic off the internet of the same model.

 

[Bayou52]

My guess would be the same as yours, that is, reshaping the blade would exceed the value of the knife.

So the question is: What dollar amount of value do you consider sentimental value? I have some items, for example, that, if needed, I would refurbish/repair regardless of cost...


Good Luck!

Bayou52

 

[John_R]

If I do it, I'd probably grind it myself, I just don't know how much effort that is.

 

[Bazoo]

Re-tipping a knife is easy, if you have a good hand. Doing the secondary grind is the hardest part, getting it even on both sides. I have done it with a 1x30 belt sander, and by hand with a file. It’s just something you learn from doing it some. I’d suggest, practice on some cheap kitchen knives a few times if you’re going to do it yourself.

case however is very good about repairing knives at no cost. I’ve sent several in, with obvious abuse, that were repaired with new blades. Id send it in with an express letter saying not to replace the knife, blade only.

 

[hso]

Case might

do it for free.

Ask them

 

[John_R]

I can ask, but their website specifically states misuse isn’t covered. Can’t hurt to ask, of course.

 

[hso]

What sort of "misuse" are you referring to?

Also, post a pick of the blade of your knife so we have a better idea of what you're going to have to do.

 

[John_R]

Case does not warrant its products against normal wear or misuse. Case knives are not intended to be used as hammers, chisels, pry bars, or screwdrivers. If your knife was damaged due to misuse, our repair department can analyze the damage and repair it for a reasonable fee. Our limited lifetime warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights which vary from state to state.

https://caseknives.com/pages/warranty-repair

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I would send it to Case with a note that it is sentimental and you want it repaired not replaced, likely best route for you. Sure, may cost some but it will be as good as it is going to get that way.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

I've seen worse. A light touch on the grinder would blend that edge right into a tip again.

 

[chickasaw_hunter]

I inherited a Cold Steel Master Hunter from a dear friend. The tip was broken, it was his favorite hunting knife and had been with him all over the country. I wanted to restore it. I struggled with what to do. I worried I might mess up some of the temper if I put it on the grinder, even with frequent quenching. As an experiment I tested a file to see if it would cut. It did. I reshaped the tip and blade with a file, so heat was not a factor. The sheath was worn out. I made it a nifty new one for it using the plastic insert that was in the original factory sheath. I've taken it with me on every hunting trip since. I like the new tip profile better than the factory one, well of course I do I shaped to what I liked. But the knife works just fine. I think you can do the same for your case with some simple filing. Having a vice is a must for me. Just lock it in and file it the way you want. I'd just shape the top down until it met the blade. Resharpen and put it in your pocket.

 

[bannockburn]

Had the same thing happen with my Dad's old Marbles hunting knife. A small portion of the tip had broken off so when I got the knife from him I decided to fashion a new point for it. I went very slowly and used various files to reshape the blade and while maybe not quite as "pointed" as the original I thought it looked and functioned okay.

 

[Blkhrt13]

I’ve shaped plenty of blades back after accidents happen. Sometimes due to negligence others fast trips to the flood during use. A couple files and stones later they are good enough to get it done. I’d work some from the back some from the front. Then re edge the front. You could also turn it into a wharncliffe. I’ve don’t a few that way.