I do not know if this will help or if it is adaptable to your model.

At a local gun show, I meet a gentleman who was married to an Indonesian woman; they would make periodic trips to visit her family. The gentleman made contacts with local blade/knife makers and began to purchase hand-forged knives to bring back to the states. I try and buy a few each time as I am fascinated by the knives and like to support such grass-root efforts.

Most, if not all of the knives are made with recycled materials, either broken plow blades, ball bearings and other scrap metals in “primitive” forges. Many come with sheaths made from bamboo or wood. The workman ship is quite remarkable.

While I do not actively use most of the knives, due to their large size, the ones I have used are a pleasure to use. All are handmade works of art in my eyes and look forward each time to meeting this gentleman and obtaining a few.

I would think that a similar manufacturing/repair model might work for your project. He has pictures of most of the knife makers and their forges; for the most part they seem to relatively simple in design and can be made and maintained with local resources.

The 3-man fix-it shop I am working with in Ecuador started primarily as a bicycle repair business, they are trying to branch out into appliance repair, as there is ready market for such repairs. Part of their problem was the necessary capital to rent the shop, buy some basic tools and parts. We have been bringing/sending some tools and parts to them to help them establish a self-sustaining business. We recognize though, that due to tough economic times, the self-sustaining part will take some patience and effort. Pete