All About Pocket Knives

Is there anyone out there who may be familiar with sharpening slicks? I bought a fine slick from an estate that made their money in the packing house business. The slick measures 18 1/4 inches overall, the sharpening slick itself is 12 inches. It's a fine tool but the makers name has been erased from the butchers touching up their knives. The only legible mark left is the word," made ", then above that is an arrow. I believe that F.Dick used the arrow as his mark. If anyone that is familiar with that " arrow " mark, please let me know. My reference books give very little info on steels and slicks. Bull

I don't know what a sharpening slick is..........Pictures?

I collect old Steels


Here is one of them that is marked F. Dick Made In Germany.

This brand is very high quality and they were expensive to buy when new

butchers used slicks daily to touch up their tools. contrary to common belief steels with grooves generally do more damage to a fine edge than a stroup.slicks are rather hard to locate today but some people do collect steels with f. dick being one of the finest ever produced.---HiPower

http://www.dick.de/en/tools-for-chefs-a ... ng-steels/

HiPower wrote:contrary to common belief steels with grooves generally do more damage to a fine edge than a stroup.

Not if you know how to use one. I use a steel to sharpen all my kitchen cutlery and sometimes even my pocket knife. Nothing quicker than a good steel to sharpen a blade edge

I didn't know the smooth ones are called 'slicks'. Interesting. Again, I've learned something new at AAPK.

You're probably all aware that a steel doesn't really "sharpen" a knife to any great extent but realigns and straightens out the rolled edge of the blade that makes it feel dull and cut like it's dull. I'd guess it would be more accurate to say a steel restores the sharp edge of a knife.

I have an old Ontario "slick" that I bought off eBay. Even though I've had it for several years I doubt it's very old. It's 19" long with a 13 3/4" steel.

Miller Bro's, Thank You, Thank You! Your photo which showed the mark is the exact same arrow as on my slick! Now I have a direction to go with pricing it. I have a Antique Faire coming up on the 6th of Aug. and I was hoping to include the slick. I'll post a pic for those curious about what a slick is. It's early and I need more coffee. Thanks again! I also bought a bitchin 3 inch brass nose ring with lead chain at the same time i got the slick. Should have seen the stares. While people are loading up on sterling, fine china, and other high quality anticquities, I'm elated over a nose ring and a slick! Oh well, it takes every kind of people, so the song goes! Bull

268bull wrote:Miller Bro's, Thank You, Thank You!

Your welcome


Bull,

The caffine's kickin in ! My camera is limited in it's capabilities, so these shot's are the best I can do. The slick measures 7/8th's at the hilt and tapers to a blunt 5/16th's at the tip. The hilt is brass and I would suppose hickory was used on the handle. It's quite the piece of hardware. Well, my second cup of Joe awaits me Bull

would'nt wish to start a debate with top but when i grew up every store in west texas had it's own butcher section. i'm 72 & all the butchers used slicks. a little research with ft' worth stock yards & chicago yards would probably confirm that pros used slicks. fellow that lived across from me for 10 years only used slicks.---HiPower

I've heard 'em called "slicks" and "butcher's steels". Steels was used most often by my family.

The ones with the grooves in 'em are C-R-A-P in my opinion.

The top steel is a Russell at 22 1/2" long.
Second is a Russell at 18 1/2".
Third is a Hoffman at 17".
Last is a beautiful Joseph Rodgers and son at 11 3/4"

Sorry about the lousey pictures. Late at night.

the oval f.dick is called a multisteel & will work as a slick or remove small amounts of steel to touch up a kitchen knife. the c.schliper is an eye brand i bought before i really understood steels. the f.dick i believe we had to order from a resturant supply catalog & it was expensive.---HiPower

Those are beautiful, Hipower. Especially the F. Dick.
How long are they? Thanks

the f.dick is 17 in. & the eye is little over 20 in. the future of steels might be in question with the newer diamond & ceramic rods on the market. a steel with a little care will last for many , many years. these days i also mostly use diamonds & ceramics. however i always look for dicks at flea markets & gun shows since they were considered the best in the world.---HiPower--thanks for looking joe

I have since collected a few more steels. Thanks for looking.

Nice ones Joe

I have picked up a few as well, I just can`t resist the awesome stag handles some of these had

I can't resist them either, Dimitri.
That steel 2nd in from the right, a Geo. Wolstenholm, I payed $5.25 plus shipping.
Others I had to pay more for, but sometimes you can get them for a song.
True with other kitchen cutlery too. Sometimes.

I got these two "sticks" a while back, (both for $15 )___The wood handle is, 14 1/2in.with 9 1/2 in. steel--and marked ""Japan""___the Stag handle is,11 1/2in.with 9 1/2in.steel,has a brass butt plate,and is marked ""Forged Steel Sheffield England""___thanks guys,for telling something about these ""STICKS""____I bought them,because they looked""interesting"" and now they really are ::nod::___thanks for sharin',Monk

I got him !

I too have several steels and use them to revive my blades to a scary razor-like edge.

Let`s see `em

Here's an old steel and knife I use.

The steel works like a champ on any knife.

Neither has a makers mark but they both are at least 70 yrs old. Passed down through three generations now.

Dimitri, thanks

this came up as watch fob, it is a advertising steel...
F, Dick
made in GERMANY

ED FRIEDRICH
SA TEXAS

LOOKED UP COMPANY WHICH IS BIG REFRIGERATION CO. NOW
IT SHOWS ON HISTORY ED MADE FURNITURE FROM LONGHORN ALSO POOL TABLES AROUND 1895 ...
NOT SURE ON HOW THE STEEL TIES IN .... WILL TRY TO CONTACT CO TO SEE IF ANY INFO IS .. TO BE HAD

I like that one!

Is the handle smooth bone?