Knife Repair Needed

[Pete123]

Pictured below is an automatic knife my grandfather bought in the 1920s.   It was in really bad shape by the time we came across it.

 

Who might be able to get this thing in working order?  or, do you have suggestions that I can do myself?

 

Due to sentimental value I would really like to get it repaired.

 

 

http://s300.photobucket.com/user/pete2041/library/Guns/Knife

 

http://s300.photobucket.com/user/pete2041/media/Guns/Knife/IMG_0506_zpsk7jrp1cp.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

Edited September 4, 2015 by Pete123

[enfield]

No pic!

[willis68]

Get a gallon of WD40, empty a milk gallon, wash it out put the WD 40 in it and let the knife soak overnight, that will loosen all the crud and rust deposits and let you see what may be wrong with it

[Jonnin]

Odds are slim that it will actually work after cleanup... but you never know.  As above... clean it up, see what you have.  If the spring survived and if the release and lock work, it might make it.

Edited September 4, 2015 by Jonnin

[DaveTN]

Don’t soak any mechanical device in in WD40 unless you can take it totally apart to clean it. If you go that far you can fix it.

[Luap]

My Grandpaw would be slight over a 100 and 5  if he were still alive.  He was a believer of soaking old rusty Knives and and other stuff he found in good old USA Coke a Cola overnight.  Best I remember they seemed to open after that bath.   

[Jonnin]

My Grandpaw would be slight over a 100 and 5  if he were still alive.  He was a believer of soaking old rusty Knives and and other stuff he found in good old USA Coke a Cola overnight.  Best I remember they seemed to open after that bath.   

 soft drinks are acidic and can clean metal pretty nicely.   But a switchblade might have some nooks that gluey sugary mess will clog up (just like wd40, which also becomes nasty after a bit).

 

Gas works for the first pass, if there is no plastic on it.   Kroil might get it loose inside.   But looking at it, it needs to come apart, get a detail cleaning with a wire brush ... probably a brush on a dremel...   if possible.    If not possible, chemistry might work but beware damage to the handle with harsh stuff.