I have a #5 knife handle with a #2 blade in it; I used to be able to switch off the blades but lately the rotating barrel grip seems stuck and I can't get the blade out. I tried using a wrench and those rubber grip surfaces that helps you open jars but to no avail. I'm also cautious of cutting myself (I've since wrapped the blade in masking tape). I'm trying to put a saw blade on it. Any advice on how to free the blade from the handle?
If the barrel is aluminium or plastic (I can't tell from a quick search) it may well be binding with wear and tear as it seems to me these soft materials rub themselves up wrong. You could try putting some thin lube into the threads (maybe paraffin for ally). Or maybe a little heat quickly on the outer sleeve so it expands a bit - eg. hot water poured over the outer barrel. Wrenches, pliers, etc, may not help as the barrel may just deform under the local contact pressure and grip the mandrel even tighter. If you heat it you may need to use pliers to avoid getting burnt but squeeze as gently as possible.
I've got an old, wore out #11 handle that does not tighten by normal means, I grab the blade with needle nose pliers, hold the handle by hand and tighten/loosen as needed, works great and no missing flesh:tb-wink:
It's aluminum, not plastic (just noticed you were from the UK and used the British spelling of "aluminium"). THANK YOU! I gave it a few passes on a stove burner, let it cool for a couple seconds and was able to twist it off!!! The handle is plastic though but it's far enough from the flame not to burn/melt.
The knurled sleave needs to be pushed back from the collet. Grip the collet with a pliers, place the knife vertical on a solid serface and tap the pliers. Once loosened dry lube the collet with graphite or silicone.
