Honest Old Family Knife (HOFK)
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2019 7:44 pm
A couple of weeks ago, I was going through some old stuff, from my Grandmother’s estate. I came across this old, well-worn Camillus and a Case knife, that had seen better days. These knives had laid back, in a drawer, at least 25 years, since the passing of my Grandfather. The Camillus’ (Delrin?) handles were shrinking and lifting off the end of the knife. If my research is correct, the two-piece can opener puts this in the 1946-48 time period. It’s possible, this also belonged to my Grandfather’s Father-in-law.
I didn’t have to pull the knife apart to rehandle it. She cleaned up pretty well and the snap on all 4 blades is exceptionaI. I rehandled in canvas micarta and inset a red coral disk, surrounded by a sterling silver bezel. I had two sizes of coral, 1/4” and 1/2”. The 1/4 was too small and the half inch was a bit too big. If I had it to do over again...I’d probably flatten out two sides of the coral and make something that was closer to the shape of the knife. Traditionalists and Papa Jack are probably shaking their heads at “fancying up” the old work knife.
Although, not as refined as the Master Cutlers, here of AAPK...this has risen from the back of a drawer...to a special place in my collection. It will probably only see light blade use; however, will probably become my “crown-lifter of choice” if hanging out with friends. The Case knife will see it’s day, when I get a bit of experience with bone.
I include this picture, for reference only, of the original main blade size:
I didn’t have to pull the knife apart to rehandle it. She cleaned up pretty well and the snap on all 4 blades is exceptionaI. I rehandled in canvas micarta and inset a red coral disk, surrounded by a sterling silver bezel. I had two sizes of coral, 1/4” and 1/2”. The 1/4 was too small and the half inch was a bit too big. If I had it to do over again...I’d probably flatten out two sides of the coral and make something that was closer to the shape of the knife. Traditionalists and Papa Jack are probably shaking their heads at “fancying up” the old work knife.
Although, not as refined as the Master Cutlers, here of AAPK...this has risen from the back of a drawer...to a special place in my collection. It will probably only see light blade use; however, will probably become my “crown-lifter of choice” if hanging out with friends. The Case knife will see it’s day, when I get a bit of experience with bone.
