Broken, Battered, Beat-Up, Bruised But Beautiful Old Knives

[Miller Bro's]

Nice old knives shown so far

Here is an old Case with a broken leg

[gino]

Here is a few, they all need some kinda love.

[trutemper]

Here is an old John Primble that was a heckofaknife in it`s day. Hoping I can talk one of you restorers out there into taking a look at your stock and maybe restoring someday. Needs a new small blade and some handle work on one side but still a pretty piece of work

Bob

[Miller Bro's]

This one was broken and beat up pretty bad, then I rebuilt it.

[whitebuffalo58]

Beautiful work MB, I really like how that one turned out! 1 down and 2000+ to go?
First time i've come across this thread. You know, it's a unique group of people who can see the beauty in knives like these and appreciate the craftsmanship that came along with them! Thanks for showing them!

WB

[Miller Bro's]

Thanks WB, I appreciate the compliment

You know, it's a unique group of people who can see the beauty in knives like these and appreciate the craftsmanship that came along with them! Thanks for showing them!

Many years ago I was laughed at by a knife dealer in these parts for saving these old relics

As you say it takes the right kind of person to really appreciate them.

[Iron Hoarder]

I look forward to many more of these Dimitri. You should start a thread for rebuilds. I suspect you may have a couple suitable candidates around. I've just started filling my second Swiss Ammo bag with them http://store.colemans.com/cart/swiss-mi ... -2489.html I'll switch to ammo cans after that. Most of them tend to be a perfect fit.

[knife7knut]

Here are a few of many that I own.I could not bear to pass up an old knife with worn or broken blades and lose a bit of history that will largely remain unknown to us.So many stories these knives could tell if we only knew how to unlock them.
First ones are an American Knife Co Plymouth CT with a folding brass ruler dated to the 1860's;and two Waterville Cutlery Co jacksmone of which I cleaned up the blade a bit.

Second up is an American Shear&Knife Co. with a broken pen blade and a massive old Holley jumbo jack with very little snap left.

Next is a W.T.Staniforth wharncliffe with tortoise shell scales and a Peters Brothers probably made right after WWI with a broken pen blade.

Next is one of my mystery knives.What looks like a single blade it actually has a small folding marlinspike on the other side.The rear bolster is brass and the handle shows an old repair using what looks like cutler's cement and features birds-eye rivets and pique work(the small pins).The blade is stamped Barneria and features a severed pig's head.It is(or was anyway;it doesn't work anymore)a lockback and I believe is French dating to around the 1840's.

The next one is a huge stag scaled folder with one piece liners/bolsters(pre 1860)that someone has crudely replaced the blade.Scary sharp and functions nicely.

Next up is a Carrier Cutlery with a broken pen blade.The H&B next to it is actually in good shape;just wound up in the photo.

Next pic is the top knife;a 2 blade(one broken)marked Clim-Ax by Schmactenberg.The round disc on the side is actually a button you slide sideways to push the blade open to the angle shown.Only one like it I've ever seen.

Next is one of my favorites:A Congreave quill knife.The stag scales match perfectly with the size of the knife;it has birds-eye rivets and fancy one piece bolsters/liners and a miniature match striker nail mark.Another neat feature is there is a small piece of bone in the rear between the liners to act as a blade cushion when it is closing.Company was out of business in 1843.

Last one is another French knife;a figural in the shape of the Eiffel Tower made of pressed horn.Not sure how old but I would guess around 1900 or maybe slightly before.

[tongueriver]

Some amazing and lovely pieces being shown here. A lot of these knives do not exist any other way than well-worn. Here is a Miller Brothers English jack, 4 3/8 inches, with Washington bolsters and good snap. I wonder if Dimitri would have a repair solution for this one?

[tongueriver]

Here is another English jack, a Schrade Cutco.

[tjmurphy]

Here's a couple:

Hotchkissville

Wolfertz

Another Wolfertz

H S & B

Another H S & B

[knife7knut]

Here's a few more:
Case Tested XX
Edward Barnes
Standard Knife Co(bottom knife)
George Woodhead & Jonathan Crookes
George Woodhead pruner
William Greaves folding dirk
John Copley pruner
Samuel Robinson pruner
Unwin&Rogers mechanical pencil knife

[Miller Bro's]

I wonder if Dimitri would have a repair solution for this one?

It`s in much better condition than my MB EDC!

I would leave that one as is.

[Miller Bro's]

Here is another batch.

[whitebuffalo58]

Boy Dimitri, you sure are gonna have alot of fun after you retire!! (and hopefully atleast SOME before you retire) You've got an amazing bunch of knives to work with!!!
If you don't mind, i'd kinda like to know a little bit about those top and bottom knives on the righthand side, and maybe a pic of 'em with the blades open? The spear blades caught my eye on those two.

WB

[Miller Bro's]

Boy Dimitri, you sure are gonna have alot of fun after you retire!! (and hopefully atleast SOME before you retire)

I hope I live long enough to retire! And if I do I calculate if I repair 1 knife a day 365 days a year it would take me about 8.21 years to fix them all

You've got an amazing bunch of knives to work with!!!

Thank you

If you don't mind, i'd kinda like to know a little bit about those top and bottom knives on the righthand side, and maybe a pic of 'em with the blades open? The spear blades caught my eye on those two.

No problem, I labeled the pictures as to each maker. Most of the problems are obvious from looking at the pictures. Broken blades, handles, no blade snap, etc. All are old and well built quality made from the major knife factories at the time almost all have half stops on the blades.

[whitebuffalo58]

Boy Dimitri, you sure are gonna have alot of fun after you retire!! (and hopefully atleast SOME before you retire)

I hope I live long enough to retire! And if I do I calculate if I repair 1 knife a day 365 days a year it would take me about 8.21 years to fix them all

You've got an amazing bunch of knives to work with!!!

Thank you

If you don't mind, i'd kinda like to know a little bit about those top and bottom knives on the righthand side, and maybe a pic of 'em with the blades open? The spear blades caught my eye on those two.

No problem, I labeled the pictures as to each maker. Most of the problems are obvious from looking at the pictures. Broken blades, handles, no blade snap, etc. All are old and well built quality made from the major knife factories at the time almost all have half stops on the blades.

Did I ever mention that i'm available for adoption?!

WB

[Miller Bro's]

[whitebuffalo58]

Is that Keen Kutter what it appears to be? A swell center jack, with a spear primary? If so, that's a very cool knife!!

WB

[Miller Bro's]

Yes, it is a swell-center with a saber cut spear blade.

The saber cut makes it an attractive blade

[whitebuffalo58]

Yes it does, and a rather unusual one for a swell center, i'd think!
Thanks for the extra info and pics.

WB

[mickeyevans]

I have found my thread, since most of my new collection belongs here
I love these old knives, this one works great, a true Whittler, must have been some great knife when it was new, a hundred years ago
Mick

[jerryd6818]

Yes, it is a swell-center with a saber cut spear blade.

The saber cut makes it an attractive blade

Dimitri, that Keen Kutter is a real eye-full. Love it.


The only real problem with this Imperial Scout is that big chunk that's missing from the handle (and the boogered up end on the screwdriver). I like that script shield a lot and I've considered having it rehandled with stag but so far...

[mickeyevans]

check out this Ulster Boy Scout, never had a knife with the Bolster pins sticking out like this
I assume these pins go through the blades, funny that the blades on this end work good but the main blade on the other end is loose and wobbly
tried to 'gently hammer pins back in, no luck, thought about cutting them off, but that sounds too drastic
just going to leave it for now till I learn more
Mick

[mickeyevans]

pretty little Queen, works great, little blade loss, great snap, no half stops
I filled in chip with glue just to stabilize handle for now, so it does not get pulled off all the way, although it is on pretty solid
I have tried wood putty too, and thought about epoxy, I don't have tools or a shop and not very handy
I heard that a vice squeeze can tighten a wobble but effects the snap, if there is any, just trying not to do anymore damage and will not touch really old, historic or valuable knives yet
Mick