A question of knife collecting ethics.

[Papawolf]

When, if ever is it acceptable to have a knife restored? I am not talking about a little polish or repairing a cracked cover. I am referring to the replacement of worn or missing blade(s), handle material, damaged bolsters etc.

When I first began collecting I acquired a XX era (45-64) Case Peanut, The blades were both full and the exterior of the knife was worn but not abused. The problem was that both blades “flopped” within the liners, as they had zero contact with the back springs. I contacted Case and arranged to return the knife for repairs.

Some weeks later my knife was returned to me, the Masters at Case had done a wonderful job. Both blades had been replaced and the knife polished to the point of jewelry like appearance. The replacement main blade’s tang stamp is from 1988 and the reverse reads G6120 over SS. The secondary blade is stamped USA over 6220 over SS.

If my Case-decoder ring is working the main blades tang stamp would represent a smooth green bone single bladed peanut, it is however in fact a beautifully jigged red bone, two-blade specimen as identified by the secondary blades stamp.

I intend to keep the knife and it will pass in the collection to my son along with the Case letter detailing the repair. However rest assured some unscrupulous person could attempt to pass this off as a “factory error” and sell it for a premium to an unsuspecting buyer. Had I known then what I know now I would have simply cleaned the little peanut and put it away.

The reason I ask now is that I have obtained another little peanut with issues. The covers appear to be stag and the “Diamond” shield dates to between 1915 and 1925. (If you think you have seen this before I submitted a photo for inclusion in this sites “Case Shields” area several months ago.) The problem here? No blades at all!!

What to do? I know I can return the knife to Case and they will replace the blades with what ever is available for a small fee, I can attempt to find a private individual and have the blades replaced with those from the proper era for a little (lot) more, or I can leave it alone as a representative sample of an early Case XX shield.

Is it acceptable to have the blades replaced? As I stated above, Had I known what would happen to the previous peanut, I would have left it alone. It displayed wonderfully, but this one has no blades at all. Value is not really a concern. In my opinion they have both lost any collector value they may have had.

I realize I have an obligation as a collector to help keep our field clean and I value the opinions expressed here. What to do?

[glennbad]

PW,

I don't collect Case knives, but I do love knives. Knives are meant to be used. (well, most of them anyway) In my opinion, if you are going to use these knives, there is no shame or trickery with what you are doing. There could be some sentimental value to you, maybe a labor of love that you want to restore and capture in time.

If the knives get resold as new, or mis-represented in any way to a potential buyer, then that would be a problem.

They are knives, enjoy them, use them.

Just my .02

Glenn

[galvanic1882]

OK here is my nickle, I don't have my knives repaired because I think they should be kept in the condition they were found. But that is only for the knives I am keeping as part of my collection which like others consider historical items. Attached are 2 pictures of knives in my collection that could use work but will remain the way they are. I think they represent their history better that way.

I have had knives sent out for repair if I wanted to use them and they could not be used as intended with some work.

Than we have the other issue. Repaired knives falling into the hands of people of, shall we say questionable values!!!! That is something I can't control and I really don't worry too much about because I very carefull of who I buy from when spending money on knives. Dishonesty is something that is in every type of collecting and if we are in the game we should know this. I just will not be a part of it. I have in the past fallen victim to it and consider it a lesson. But that is just me.

The most importnat part for me is that I will not let it negatively affect my knife collecting. I have for the most part met the most wonderfull people in the thing of collecting knives and prefer to enjoy that part and not worry about the other.

As the person before me said that is my 5 cents, I am figuring in inflation.

Happy hunting

[knife-nut]

I feel it's kind of like an antique car. If you have an old model A Ford with a rusty dented up body, torn up upholstery and the motor is half there, are you going to repair the bodywork, reupholster the seats and rebuild the motor? Almost any one would. Why is it any different with a knife. As long as you use the correct parts and are NOT trying to make it something that it wasn't to begin with. If I find a really nice old Remington or whatever in great condition. Except that the main pin was broken sometime in the past, and some one replaced it with a nail and hammered it back together. You can bet I'll replace the pin and have a beautiful old knife again. I don't see any thing wrong with restoration as long as you are honest with it and don't try to pass it off as any thing else.

[nmikash]

I would say that if you intend to replace the blades so that the knife can be restored to functionality, there is nothing wrong with that. A knife, aside from being a piece of art, is first and foremost a tool. Without a blade it is not much of a tool. I would send the knife to Case and maintain the documentation that they provide. Or- if you want to keep it solely as a historical piece- just leave it be.

You said that it would be passed down to your son, make sure he knows about this knife so he can do his best to make sure it does not come into the hands of a questionable dealer.

Nick

[Hukk]

I feel it's kind of like an antique car. If you have an old model A Ford with a rusty dented up body, torn up upholstery and the motor is half there, are you going to repair the bodywork, reupholster the seats and rebuild the motor? Almost any one would. Why is it any different with a knife. As long as you use the correct parts and are NOT trying to make it something that it wasn't to begin with. If I find a really nice old Remington or whatever in great condition. Except that the main pin was broken sometime in the past, and some one replaced it with a nail and hammered it back together. You can bet I'll replace the pin and have a beautiful old knife again. I don't see any thing wrong with restoration as long as you are honest with it and don't try to pass it off as any thing else.

knife-nut, I couldn't agree with you more. I also see an oppertunity to customize the knife to my tastes which would leave no doubt that it isn't 100% original. In general that is my usual preference.