to clean or not to clean a very rare Case Tested XX

[pauly333]

Hi. My name is Paul and i could use some advice. I have a 1920's Case tested XX 6172 Bulldog Clasp Knife. The knife is in fairly good condition, but I believe a good cleaning will increase the sale value. I intend to sell the knife and I was wondering if cleaning it would be a good idea? If it is what is the best way to proceed cleaning the blade and the green bone handle? Your knowledge will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[MrBlister]

I would NOT recommend yer first attempt at cleaning
a knife be done on a rare one like the 72..

How bout ya practice cleaning one on some junk..
THEN apply yer new found skills on the daaawg..

HET in advance
Dave n Lil Red

[pauly333]

Thanks I have just the one to practice on

[Dinadan]

If I had a knife like that in the condition yours is in, and if I intended to sell it, I would not clean it. I do not think that a collector will pay more for a cleaned knife, very possibly the reverse. Just my opinion: I am not an expert!

[djknife13]

First, welcome to AAPK. If you clean it wrong like many of us did before we knew better, the value will go WAY down. Most serious collectors want knives in as close to origional condition as possible. The general public will bid more quickly for a "cleaned" knife, but probably wouldn't bid awywhere what a rare old knife is worth. The serious collectors will keep bidding when the low knowledge bidders drop out. Just my opinion but I'm pretty sure most knife collectors would agree. ___Dave

[rea1eye]

Don't clean it if you are going to sell it.

The serious collector will give you the most money and will want it as is.


Bob

[btrwtr]

Yes, another Don't Clean vote.

Can you tell us exactly how the knife is marked, front and back of the tang? Looks like a nice early Tested jigging pattern on the bone.

Wayne

[MrBlister]

Id ONLY DEDUCT bout 400 for an amateur OR pro cleaning . .
Sooooooooooooooooooo do da math

HET

[pauly333]

Thanks everyone. I guess as much as I would love to clean it to make it shiny again I shall obstain on cleaning it. I am curious why a good cleaning, as long as no additional damage is done would cause the value to drop? Pictures of circle C and XX 6172 are attached as well

[wlf]

What made you think about cleaning? Just curious.

A little mineral oil on the handles will make them pop and should not detract from the value,as would an amateur cleaning.Collectors pay close attention to the grind marks, patina,the overall surface of all the steel,all of which validate the knife's authenticity.

No way a knife that is about 100 years old should still be shiny,only in rare cases of sales samples ,factory collections,etc.After saying all that ,I rarely see a nice old Case knife that hasn't been cleaned.

My friend was told by a man that has written several books ,that one of his knives would bring $500 more dollars ,if professionally cleaned.It was a Case.

Don't clean it yourself,unless you do professional cleaning.An unprofessional cleaning may devalue the knife by half,I have one like that.The dealer would have asked at least $400 ,I got it for $200,and it came from a pricey dealer a few years ago.

Show us the other side of the knife.Boy,you've taken a lot of pictures, Paul.

[pauly333]

Hi Lyle. it's just the perfectionist in me that wants to shine up the knife, I also like to attempt new things and I've never tried knife cleaning. I have been taking a lot of pics because in all my research I only found two pics of this style of knife anywhere. The W.R. Case website didn't even have one I could look at so I may have snapped a couple too many lol.

[stockman]

pauly Thats a nice knife. One that I wold love to own. If it were mine I would oil the blade and joint.
Wipe the blade well and all steel, wipe bone with a small drop of mineral and then leave it be.

Harold

[wlf]

Here Paul :

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-CASE-TE ... 1772800585?

[MrBlister]

Paul has suggested theres ONLY 3 on earth .. .

so Tom McCandless has one... Paul has one, and i know of
one in a clubmembers home state if indiana.

So theres the three for ya !!!

HET

[cbfd]

Not Indiana,but here is another.Not rare either,although maybe more so with regular jigged bone and a pattern number. Bill

[MrBlister]

Bill, yours IS A BEAUT . .. .

think that one in Indiana belongs to fella named Sanders...
and its a TRUE salesmans' sample

ok ok ok ok
theres ONLY 4 throughout the entire universe

HET !!!!!!!!!!

[Dinadan]

Paul has suggested theres ONLY 3 on earth .. .

so Tom McCandless has one... Paul has one, and i know of
one in a clubmembers home state if indiana.

So theres the three for ya !!!

HET

Actually I think he said he could only find two photos of that knife on the internet.

The guy came here for advice and took you seriously and thanked you. Why are you down on him now?

[RalphAlsip]

Paul, As mentioned earlier in this thread, I believe your knife is an earlier example of this pattern. My 3 reasons for saying this are 1) the large jigging pattern, 2) the pattern number stamp 3) the 4 handle pins (instead of 5).

I have one comparable to yours with the large jigging, the pattern #, and the 4 pins. My knife has been cleaned by a previous owner.

Paul, here is a link to few more pictures of Tested XX 6172 green bone examples.

http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... 72#p459714

One of my 6172's is in original condition. I believe the other 3 have been mildly cleaned (i.e., they were in good condition to start with, but dirty and with patina).

I attached a couple of pictures to this post of my 6172 that is comparable to yours.

Good luck in determining your course of action.

[cbfd]

Some real beauties Ralph,one of my favorite patterns. Bill

[peanut740]

Bill that is one fine knife.

[cbfd]

Thanks for the compliments on the knife Mr. B & Peanut. Bill

[pauly333]

Thats a beautiful knife Bill. I know there has to be more of them out there I just haven't been able to find many pics. One for sale currently on Ebay and one that sold in the past on Ebay.I did find it strange that I would type the info in on the Case website and they had nothing. I guess they are focused more on their current selection. After seeing yours Bill I really want to have a go at shining it up. I guess I won't. I am selling soon and if the serious collector would rather have "as is" that's how i will keep it.

[pauly333]

I did start Practicing for the 6172 though I will not attempt a restoration.

[cbfd]

Thanks Pauly,It probably took about 90 years for yours to look like that,so once you clean it ,you can`t put it back on. Bill

[edge213]

Paul has suggested theres ONLY 3 on earth .. .

so Tom McCandless has one... Paul has one, and i know of
one in a clubmembers home state if indiana.

So theres the three for ya !!!

HET

Actually I think he said he could only find two photos of that knife on the internet.

The guy came here for advice and took you seriously and thanked you. Why are you down on him now?

Good post Mel.