All About Pocket Knives

Steve, I'm glad i'm not the only one who has nothing against a knife that has been properly cleaned. I like the way you put it, about the beauty being hidden, it really is true. Here are a couple old redbones I recently cleaned up, also have a 5392 and a 6249 in greenbone I need to take pics of. I also have an old 5265SAB I need to clean up. The pics really don't show the depth and brightness of this redbone

thanks mm. those are some great looking knives and truly great work! i have a 10 dot 1970 moose like that, that i also cleaned and added to my collection, but didnt take before pics.
it can be hard when you collect older knives to always find or be able to afford the mint knives, so knowing how to clean them right and give them new life, is very handy.

you speak the truth steve, not everyone has the big $$ or wants to drop the big $$ on truely mint knives. I forgot to take before pics of that XX 6249 too, sometimes it's hard to remember to take pics, haha. I have alot that have been cleaned up, and I really enjoy doing it, breathing new life in an old knife

muskrat man wrote:Steve, I'm glad i'm not the only one who has nothing against a knife that has been properly cleaned. I like the way you put it, about the beauty being hidden, it really is true.

I too like to clean up the old ones.

Many collectors don’t like cleaned knives, but they never really define what they mean by “cleaned.” If someone gutted a couple deer and didn’t clean off their knife, would they really want it then? Especially after about a week in that condition? Most used knives have been cleaned to some extent at some time in their lives, even is it is just to wipe down the blades.

As a collector I like to buy knives that have not been cleaned because they always seem to sell for much less than the nice clean ones! It only makes sense that the shinny ones sell for more. I love to get old gunky knives and clean them up. One recently had tar or grease caked on the blades, and clean it up to find unsharpened blades with a minimum of pitting on it. Yet I got it for next to nothing because it was so unpresentable.

Also as a collector & lover of old knives, I love to see them restored to their former glory, or as close as possible.
In my mind these old soldiers deserve that act of respect.

Just my 2¢,
Dale

Very very nice work Steve and MM, you guys sure did make those knives shine like new.

Perry