Lady Dagger advice: fix it(how?) or leave it alone?

[Saracen]

The tang on these daggers is riveted in the pommel of the handle.
Heating the blade will not help solve the problem. There is no resin there.
In addition, there is a risk of damaging the handle, because it is already cracked.
I would leave it alone.

[Ian]

Agree with Saracen. I would leave it alone.

[Sajen]

I guess that this dagger is German, from Solingen. I really doubt that the tang is riveted in up from the handle (maybe L_J can confirm) so I would try Ausjulius tip or open the handle and reset it new and strong.
Here a similar one.

Regards,
Detlef

[Saracen]

Hi, Detlef. On the two that I can show, the tang are riveted to the handle. Both have a gap at the guard and it rattles. It is interesting that both are marked with Masonic symbols. Legendary_Jarl, if the handle your dagger is made of wood, then you can try to wrap it with a damp cloth and give it some time. I think it might help. The handle will restore the lost moisture and eliminate the gap.

[ausjulius]

Originally Posted by Sajen

I guess that this dagger is German, from Solingen. I really doubt that the tang is riveted in up from the handle (maybe L_J can confirm) so I would try Ausjulius tip or open the handle and reset it new and strong.
Here a similar one.

Regards,
Detlef

yeah both types exist. if the OP takes a photo of his knifes pommel we could see.
if its a partial tang its an easy fix.. you can even just use the existing resin in the handle and reset it.. but a peened tang without experience on a fragile handle needs a little bit of care .

[Legendary_Jarl]

This is the best picture my phone could produce. I guess it was riveted before and it lost it but somehow it is still in one piece?

Will the wood benefit from a light coat of linseed oil?

[Saracen]

Originally Posted by ausjulius

my apologies.

Absolutely no problems). I have no complaints

Originally Posted by Legendary_Jarl

Will the wood benefit from a light coat of linseed oil?

I would apply linseed oil at the end of the whole process. After the gap is reduced (if it is reduced) and the guard stops rattling. Linseed oil polymerizes on the surface of the wood, blocking the access of moisture (but also protecting it from excessive drying out).

[Sajen]

Yes, peened. A repair is possible but needs experienced hands. So I would follow Saracens advice.

Regards,
Detlef

[ausjulius]

Originally Posted by Saracen

The tang on these daggers is riveted in the pommel of the handle.
Heating the blade will not help solve the problem. There is no resin there.
In addition, there is a risk of damaging the handle, because it is already cracked.
I would leave it alone.

ah yeah your right.. these are mostly full tags. .
my apologies. i have an ebonite handled german made one which is a partial tang held in with resin..

if it is a full tang tagger its a different game. youd need to file off the peen.. remove the blade.. (warming it slightly if its also on with pitch) and then set it again and repeen it very carefully with a small ball peen hammer and some very careful strikes. -
you must hold the blade in your hand and carefully strike the peen with a little ball peen hammer once the peen has formed you hold the handle in your hand and strike the peen.. you can then peen it together without crushing or breaking the handle as compression will happen only as the tang shrinks not through it bending or being crushed. ..

a lot more complex for a person with no knife making experience.