To clean or not to clean, that is the question

[cdguck]

I'm not sure that this is the correct place for this question on the forum but I'll throw it here and see what happens. So, I have one of those personality types where I like to take things that have seemingly been neglected and make them shiny and new(ish) looking again. I do understand, however, that this can be quite detrimental to values when it comes to guns and knives so i typically stay away from any polish jobs on these things. What is the appropriate amount of cleaning one can do to an antique knife without damaging the value? Will a little dish soap raise some eyebrows? Maybe a little metal polish here or there? What the protocol for cleaning old knives when restoration isn't the intention, just a little clean up?

[TripleF]

I think we'll all agree a little dish soap, some metal polish and oil is more like maintenance as opposed to restoring or cleaning.

However, if you're reselling,.....SHINY always sells for more. Like it or not....it is the way it is!

[btrwtr]

cdguck welcome to AAPK

I think the question can be very subjective. Light soap or soft rag metal polishing is fine in my book. I am not a fan of heavy abrasive cleaning and in most cases would prefer to stay away from it. The biggest problem I have with heavy cleaning is that it will make me ask myself too many questions about the authenticity of the knife I might not otherwise ask. In other words, once a knife has been heavily cleaned I have to question what else has been done to the knife.

Whether or not to clean and how much cleaning depends on many things including the following.

1. Current condition of the knife.

2. What is the value of the knife.

3. What can be gained or lost in the process of "cleaning" the knife.

4. What will you do with the knife after it has been "cleaned".

I often buy a knife and go through this thought process and then base my decision on the answers to the above.

For example, if I have an old Case Tested knife that is in excellent or better condition with a mint "book value" of say $400 I would do little or nothing to this knife. That said I have sold many similar knives to collectors that would then have the knives cleaned for their collections. I have also sold similar knives to dealers that buy and then clean to sell at a profit.

If I had the same Case Tested knife in pitted condition with full blades I might then be inclined to do some heavier abrasive type cleaning.

More often than not when I see a knife that has been heavily cleaned or buffed I don't I think any justice was done in the process.

All in all I think it is a very personal equation and based solely on preference.

Here is a link to a similar thread on AAPK. http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... 35&t=43041

Wayne

[wlf]

I don't clean knives,only to remove rust and dirt. In a short answer, if a knife has historical value,I let history speak for itself,I don't try to rewrite it. A little rust and original finishes are often on the same blades.

I pretty much agree with Wayne,but this is very subjective among collectors.

[jerryd6818]

Very subjective.

As for me, none of the knives in my pile have any historic value or collector value so I clean, mostly rust. If the knife has a heavy patina and no rust, I may leave it alone but I don't object to cleaning it because I like shiny. My knife. My decision. Your mileage may vary.

[wlf]

Very subjective.

I knew it was. I think you are a 72 historian ole buddy.

By the way,how do you get pictures off Photobucket posted? I can't find one of my downloads except on it.

[tjmurphy]

I think that you have to save your photobucket pics to your picture file on the computer.......I think.

[jerryd6818]

Very subjective.

I knew it was. I think you are a 72 historian ole buddy.

By the way,how do you get pictures off Photobucket posted? I can't find one of my downloads except on it.

Post a link to the picture.

And

I don't know nearly as much about the 72s as I would like to.

[wlf]

Here's the link.

http://s1246.photobucket.com/user/lickc ... rt=3&o=972

I'd like to get it back to my files,I don't particularly care for Photobucket. Most likely because of my ignorance.

And


I don't know nearly as much about farmers jacks as I would like to.

[jerryd6818]

Is this the picture you're after?

[wlf]

Yes,you turkey! Instructions ,please.