All About Pocket Knives

Hey guys! I started to look for a similar topic but then noticed there'd be 76 pages to scour so I just started this one. I recently received an old vintage J.A. Henckels large hunting trapper that I will post after I get some answers to these questions, but I don't want to show it until I make any changes that are suggested, or not. I'd like to know if there's a way to remove some or any of the pitting on the blade, and even if there is should I remove it? The knife will never be for resale so collector value really isn't an issue, I just like my knives as new and shiny looking as possible, I'm a horrible sucker for shiny. Also, the stag covers appear "dusty" or "milky", is there a way to spruce them up? Thanks fellas!

Mark, unless it’s something really unique and rare, cleaning shouldn’t devalue it. As far as the stag, use mineral oil on it. Try a lite coat first and if that doesn’t make it look better put more on it and leave it for awhile before wiping off. Mineral oil will really spruce up old stag.

Thanks Mark. I can't say for sure just how unique or rare this knife is, unfortunately the seller didn't offer any time period. I paid-up considerably for it in the deep-end of the Bay and it's the only one like it I've seen. I should apologize for even posting my post, cuz as soon as I did I remembered that a search on the subject would yield results, and it has. I think I'll just show it now and should I make any changes I can always post the new pictures. Thanks again for your insight. The things I described are difficult to make out from my pictures, but they're definitely there. A double-click on the picture when closed shows it better than the when open picture.

That's a pretty rare old Henckels knife.
I don't suggest trying to remove any pitting.
And don't put mineral oil on the stag! It softens it and discolors it. Use paste wax or neutral shoe polish and a soft brush instead.

Thank you so much Bill, I'll follow that advise. The knife is unmarked so I had to take the seller's word for everything he said about it, which unfortunately was very little, I just really liked the look of it so I bought it. At least now you've confirmed it's legitimate so I don't have to worry about that. Thanks again.

No need to wade through 76 pages to find advice about knife cleaning. See here viewtopic.php?f=37&t=54157

There is also a link to this in AAPK Tips & Tricks, under the topic “Cleaning”.

Ken

Thanks Ken! I had originally thought of "Tips & Tricks" but when I read, "about your experiences on AAPK" in the title box I didn't think I'd find anything in there so I did a search for "cleaning" and that's how I got to "Restorations", and it was then I saw the 76 pages. I like your way, mine's exhausting!

You’re welcome! This place can be a bit overwhelming sometimes (especially for new members). Sometimes I get a wild hare and try to make things a little easier for folks to find answers to frequently asked questions. You’re right about AAPK Tips & Tricks being predominantly for questions about the forum’s operation.

Since most new members haven’t found the Knife Repair and Restoration forum I tried to put links to “Knife cleaning” posts in both places. Have no idea how many folks find those links on their own - the only ones I see are those that post the question. But at least there is a place to where they can then be quickly referred to find varied tips and opinions answering the question. Some members post answers anyway, which is fine.

Ken

And I for one am grateful to you for the info you do post that makes it easier for folks to find stuff. I very much appreciate it, more than a few times has this helped me!

Nice Old Knife

Thank you much Gary!

WOW Mark, that one is a beauty! From your pictures, I don't see a lot of pitting, but to remove or not is a very personal decision. I don't usually mess with it unless its really bad, because once you get started, you have to remove a lot of metal before it starts to look better. If you have a cotton buffing wheel, that may be all it takes to get rid of the cloudy/dull look of the stag. If you want it to shine more, like Bill said, use a bit of paste wax and then buff. Is there any trace of a tang stamp? Nice find!

Thanks for your advise Herb! You're actually correct, the pitting really isn't too bad, it's my need for perfection that made me even state there's some pitting. Unfortunately no, zero markings whatsoever. Any information I've posted is strictly from what little I could get from the description, until Bill confirmed it's a "pretty rare old Henckels" and what the seller posted it could have been just about anything. It sure feels good in-hand though!

Those knives didn't have tang stamps, they were stamped on the blade roughly a third of the way from the bolsters when open. I'm with Bill, definitely a rarity in that shape. Nice score!

Eric

Eric!!! Thank you so much for posting that! After I read your post I decided to really scrutinize the blade, and sure-as-shootin there's the 2 little guys and below them a very faint "els". Do the little figures give an indication of when it was built? Thx!

I have another question guys. The channel is fairly dirty, should I soak it in Dawn and rub the dirt with a Q-Tip, and if so will the Dawn get under the covers and stay there, or, is there an altogether better method to clean it? Thx!

That pattern was also made with a damascus blade with decorative etching inlaid with gold.
Just use WD 40 for cleaning. It's much safer.

Thanks again Bill!

I found some info about my knife. In the Henckels forum on page 2 is a post by "Outkast"/ "Been awhile here are some of my latest Henckels"/ Sun. July 29 2:28 P.M. 2018, and he showed the same knife, although his was in the kind of condition I'd like mine to be, and he didn't know the pattern either. The blade stamp on that knife is crystal clear when you enlarge the pictures, and from what I can make out of my stamp they're the same. I also found a post by "ObsidianEdge" on page 3/ "Old Henckels patterns"/close to the bottom of the page, and he also posted the knife, but it was the model Bill described with the gold etching, although the blade didn't appear to be Damascus to me, and he didn't know the pattern either. His appeared to be in similar condition as mine or slightly better. He made mention of "Musterbuch", but I don't know if it was in reference to the knife or the catalogue, it seemed unclear. I also found a post by John/1967redrider of Henckels stamps, and from what I could make of it my knife was made in 1898 #5261, because the 2 figures have the triangular bodies not he square bodies along with the same wording and that was an 1898 stamp. A post from Roland claimed that in a circa WW1 Henckels catalogue there are pics of this pattern as well. So, we know that at least 3 copies were made and the knives are about 125 yrs. old.

Madmarco wrote: ↑Wed Jan 04, 2023 11:19 pm Eric!!! Thank you so much for posting that! After I read your post I decided to really scrutinize the blade, and sure-as-shootin there's the 2 little guys and below them a very faint "els". Do the little figures give an indication of when it was built? Thx!

Mark, I'm not sure if your knife has enough detail to tell, but my copy of Carter's book shows a lot of different variations of the "little guys". It looks like the twins tang stamps started in the 1890's and by the 1930's they started having the triangular shaped necks. I totally agree with Bill about the WD-40. I put the knife with the back down, blades open, on some newspaper, flood the blade well with WD-40, let it sit for a while, and then use a rag or paper towel wrapped around a flat, thin piece of metal and keep rubbing the inside until clean. The WD-40 will loosen or dissolve most things. Once in a while, I encounter something more stubborn, like dried paint, and have to move up to acetone.

Very cool find, Mark.

Mark I believe you hit the jackpot on that find! Never seen 1 until now!
Jimbo

Congratulations Marco. It seems you have made an extra fine catch. Fascinating.

herbva wrote: ↑Thu Jan 05, 2023 2:48 am

Madmarco wrote: ↑Wed Jan 04, 2023 11:19 pm Eric!!! Thank you so much for posting that! After I read your post I decided to really scrutinize the blade, and sure-as-shootin there's the 2 little guys and below them a very faint "els". Do the little figures give an indication of when it was built? Thx!

Mark, I'm not sure if your knife has enough detail to tell, but my copy of Carter's book shows a lot of different variations of the "little guys". It looks like the twins tang stamps started in the 1890's and by the 1930's they started having the triangular shaped necks. I totally agree with Bill about the WD-40. I put the knife with the back down, blades open, on some newspaper, flood the blade well with WD-40, let it sit for a while, and then use a rag or paper towel wrapped around a flat, thin piece of metal and keep rubbing the inside until clean. The WD-40 will loosen or dissolve most things. Once in a while, I encounter something more stubborn, like dried paint, and have to move up to acetone.

Thanks for that info Herb! Your specific explanation of how to proceed is most helpful, I'd have just sprayed some in the channel and worked it with a Q-Tip, but your method sounds much more effective. Bill said to just use WD-40 to spruce up the stag, so I can do it all at once since you say to flood it with WD. In my post right above yours I said I'd more or less determined the year of manufacture from a chart that John/1967redrider had posted at one time, but from what I can see the chart you posted in your first pic appears to have more information, and I have no doubt it would be accurate. The remaining stamp on my knife is so faded it's nearly impossible to tell which stamp mine has. I actually hadn't noticed the triangular necks on John's chart, just the triangular bodies of the twins, but my stamp is so faded I can only make out the bodies, no necks. If you read my post and investigate the links to "Outkast" and "ObsidianEdge" I provided, the stamp on "O/K's" knife which is my exact knife is clearly visible, so I'm thinking that with the picture of the stamp and your book we might be able to pin it down. If you do check it out please report any new info if you find it. Appreciate it bud!

1967redrider wrote: ↑Thu Jan 05, 2023 3:44 am Very cool find, Mark.

Thanks much John! The chart you posted back then was most helpful in getting the ball rolling to help determine a pattern and date, and it'll still be useful years from now for others.