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How far do you go?
Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 10:55 pm
by carpx
I primarily collect old Gerber folders. Many have brass and wood handles, and of course tarnish is a serious condition. I sometimes buy several knives to get the Gerber I want and have accumulated several such as a Camillus electricians knife that cleaned up to look almost unused. On the other side of the coin I see some who say you should leave the "patina" intact. I have been sharpening knives with whet stones for 50 years, and can put a shaving edge on a knife without leaving a single scratch on the blade, and I do so with every knife I own. I also use 600 grit sandpaper and jewelers rouge to remove discoloration and superficial black spots. That's about as far as I care to go with a knife, and don't feel I am hurting the value of a vintage knife, after all they are a tool, and should be kept in the same condition you would a micrometer or precision scale.
Re: How far do you go?
Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2021 12:04 am
by Mumbleypeg
A question hashed and re-hashed here on AAPK. Here are some links to prior discussions on the topic.
viewtopic.php?f=37&t=54157
Ken
Re: How far do you go?
Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2021 12:19 am
by Case V42
I also collect pre-Fiskars Gerbers. My common practice is to leave any knife with handle chips, nicks, and wear as found. Nothing looks worse than a well-used knife that has been "shined up". Sort of like putting make-up on a pig. However, if I acquire an otherwise like new knife with tarnished brass I will use a little Flitz to bring back some sparkle.
Re: How far do you go?
Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2021 1:31 am
by carpx
Got a Camillis electricians knife that was horribly neglected and filthy. To my surprise, very little cleaning revealed an almost new knife, obviously never used. I used jewelers rouge on a felt pad and rubbed by hand. The channel lock etching on the blade was totally intact.
Re: How far do you go?
Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2021 1:57 am
by carpx
Here is what was a badly abused Gerber Sportsman III. It is somewhat rare, and the blade was badly scratched and the handle tarnished. It also had the dullest blade I ever saw on any Gerber. I carefully removed the scratches with a die makers stone, and then polished it to a low gloss finish with 600 grit sand paper and jewelers rouge on a scrap of felt. It is obviously not a new knife, but no longer shows the abuse it suffered...I also stoned it back to a shaving edge using a tri-hone...
Re: How far do you go?
Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2021 6:41 am
by Dan In MI
That Camillus 27 looks really good.
In my case, how far I'd go with spiffing up a knife is largely taken on a case-by-case basis. A few little spots and pits here and there don't worry me in the least. Severe carbon spotting, pitting, and rust would definitely be tended to. Sometimes the simple combination of warm water and blue Dawn dish soap (and a few drops of oil afterwards, of course) can go a long way. Making a used knife shinier than it was when new is something I wouldn't do, thouhh.
Re: How far do you go?
Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2021 1:39 pm
by Rossr
I have seen this or similar questions many times come up and it leads to much debate. In the custom knife world there is a large debate about what is handmade. I have grappled with the handmade question myself and the clean up an old knife or straight razor question of how far. That being said. At this point its comes down to what makes me happy. I am not a knife collector trying to profit I just like knives and I like fixing them up and making them. When it comes to knives I make or sell, To me being honest about the process is all that counts to me. If I used a milling machine or someone asks how I made part of one I am happy to share. When it comes to cleaning up an old knife pocket or otherwise. I clean off the rust and dirt etc, clean it up till I'm happy. Sometimes I shine them up sometimes not. Long as I brought it some new life and I'm happy with the results to me its a win. IF I Chose to sell it again being honest about what was done is what counts.
Best
Ross
Re: How far do you go?
Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 12:01 am
by Reverand
Rossr wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 1:39 pm
I have seen this or similar questions many times come up and it leads to much debate. In the custom knife world there is a large debate about what is handmade. I have grappled with the handmade question myself and the clean up an old knife or straight razor question of how far. That being said. At this point its comes down to what makes me happy. I am not a knife collector trying to profit I just like knives and I like fixing them up and making them. When it comes to knives I make or sell, To me being honest about the process is all that counts to me. If I used a milling machine or someone asks how I made part of one I am happy to share. When it comes to cleaning up an old knife pocket or otherwise. I clean off the rust and dirt etc, clean it up till I'm happy. Sometimes I shine them up sometimes not. Long as I brought it some new life and I'm happy with the results to me its a win. IF I Chose to sell it again being honest about what was done is what counts.
Best
Ross
I agree! If it is your knife, do with it what makes you happy. If you are buying it to resell, then do what sells.
Re: How far do you go?
Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 11:01 pm
by Rossr
Reverand wrote: ↑Thu Jul 29, 2021 12:01 am
Rossr wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 1:39 pm
I have seen this or similar questions many times come up and it leads to much debate. In the custom knife world there is a large debate about what is handmade. I have grappled with the handmade question myself and the clean up an old knife or straight razor question of how far. That being said. At this point its comes down to what makes me happy. I am not a knife collector trying to profit I just like knives and I like fixing them up and making them. When it comes to knives I make or sell, To me being honest about the process is all that counts to me. If I used a milling machine or someone asks how I made part of one I am happy to share. When it comes to cleaning up an old knife pocket or otherwise. I clean off the rust and dirt etc, clean it up till I'm happy. Sometimes I shine them up sometimes not. Long as I brought it some new life and I'm happy with the results to me its a win. IF I Chose to sell it again being honest about what was done is what counts.
Best
Ross
I agree! If it is your knife, do with it what makes you happy. If you are buying it to resell, then do what sells.
This is an excellent point. If you are buying to resell the market will dictate what sells. Lord knows I'm guilty of making leather and knives that havent sold cause I didnt pay close enough attention to what sells. If you ate trying to turn a profit go with what sells
Well said Reverand