Tool

[Old Shortstop]

I have a couple of old Marbles knives with stacked leather handles, an Ideal and a Woodcraft. They need to be "tightened up", i.e. the leather is a bit loose. In looking at the knives it appears knife builders must have a tool that looks like a screw driver but slotted to tighten stacked leather handles? I have had two guys try to make me one and no luck so far. Anyone have some experience with this?

D.P.

[Cookies]

Dave, what you're looking for is called a "spanner head" driver. It looks like a slot screwdriver, but with a notch cut out of the center (or like a small, 2-pronged fork). I believe the old Marples knives used a #8 or #10.

[Graps]

There's something you can soak the handle in and it will tighten up .
For the life of me I can't think of it . Maybe someone can think of it .

[Graps]

Neatsfoot oil !

[Ron Kulas]

The wrench needs to be hardened steel or the prongs will just bend. Couple that with the fact the your tightening a rusty joint. The prongs need to be short or they will bend. With want to tighten up the leather stack and then soak in tung oil. It soaks in and then cures to a hard finish. The first soaking is the most important. Sand the stack before soaking.