All About Pocket Knives

Just discovered this site and my blood pressure just dropped a ton as I now have a one stop spot to research my dad's knife collection, RIP. I'll be posting images to get your take, but may sell some on here once I decide which ones I will keep. My 12 YO son wants all of them, but not sure what he is going to do with 42 Anton Winger /Othello hunting and original buffalo skinners! Here is a taste what I am up against. Any advice on cleaning these vintage knifes would be helpful. I have been hearing mineral oil and 0000 steel wool is a good start, would hate to ruin any of them.

They were your dad's and your son wants them.....problem solved.
No wait, there is no problem. You enjoy them until you feel he is old enough.

Ps. Welcome to AAPK

Welcome to AAPK. Cleaning knives can be a controversial topic - be careful! Many knives have been ruined by someone who thinks their knives should be shiny and new-looking. Recommend starting here viewtopic.php?t=54157.

Ken

edge213 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 22, 2025 3:20 am They were your dad's and your son wants them.....problem solved.
No wait, there is no problem. You enjoy them until you feel he is old enough.

Ps. Welcome to AAPK

X2

So sorry to hear about your dad.
Welcome to AAPK.

Stag_Party73 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 22, 2025 2:57 am Just discovered this site and my blood pressure just dropped a ton as I now have a one stop spot to research my dad's knife collection, RIP. I'll be posting images to get your take, but may sell some on here once I decide which ones I will keep. My 12 YO son wants all of them, but not sure what he is going to do with 42 Anton Winger /Othello hunting and original buffalo skinners! Here is a taste what I am up against. Any advice on cleaning these vintage knifes would be helpful. I have been hearing mineral oil and 0000 steel wool is a good start, would hate to ruin any of them.

Welcome to the best cutlery sight on the web, lots of friendly folks here willing to help. My first suggestion would be to find one of the smaller ones, file the edge off, and give it to your son! My boy has 4 or 5 knives now. I keep them in a lock box, he can get the key from me whenever he wants. They don't have an edge but they'll all cut tape to open a box. Then some day the first knife thing he can learn will be how to sharpen it back up.

to AAPK!
Your username seems appropriate, I don't think I've ever seen so many stag handles in one spot!
Cultivate your son to appreciate those great knives from his grandfather, they will mean a lot in years to come.
Treefarmer

edge213 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 22, 2025 3:20 am They were your dad's and your son wants them.....problem solved.
No wait, there is no problem. You enjoy them until you feel he is old enough.

Ps. Welcome to AAPK

Ha!! Well he has been a Scout his whole life and whittling since 6, so he will get some! He is into too into cleaning them, need to slow down some.

TripleF wrote: ↑Tue Apr 22, 2025 10:04 am So sorry to hear about your dad.
Welcome to AAPK.

Thank you very much. He may have had an account on here. This is his area of knowledge.

Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Tue Apr 22, 2025 3:33 am Welcome to AAPK. Cleaning knives can be a controversial topic - be careful! Many knives have been ruined by someone who thinks their knives should be shiny and new-looking. Recommend starting here viewtopic.php?t=54157.

Ken

Thanks for those links!! Seems like really got to assess the knife situation first then make the call on how aggressive. I unfortunately my son and myself did go a little overboard on a couple but good news there are plenty left. I liked the patina vs corrosive rationale. One example, wee attached photo, my son used a Sabitoro eraser on, and removed some of the bluing/ blue coat. Not sure if I should get some cold bluing chemicals to bring it back. Being my only Kabar USMC knife (I have a PAL RH 36 may sell), this will likely go to my son when I am old and decrepit.

Welcome!
Sorry about your loss.
Don’t get in a hurry to dispose of the knives, you will figure out what you want to keep as you become acquainted with the collection. Once you let them go it’s unlikely you’ll ever be able to get them back.
Use no power tools. Sanders, grinders, etc…. will only cause remorse for the inexperienced.
Froe

Thank you for the advice Froe! Yeah im falling more for these knives every day they are in my house. But yes taking time is 100% the key here. Some knives are really growing on me...like this kabar 1004 trapper..omg, love it(not a fixed blade..i know). And thank you for the sentiment...he would love that im nerding out about these knives with his grandson.

My condolences as well, and a hearty welcome from Northern Alabama.

You have received some great advice, and it sounds like your head and heart are both in the right place. I am glad that you found your way here, to a site that is safe enough that you and your son can read through here together! Please keep sharing pictures of these wonderful knives. We love knife pictures here! And stories about your father and his knives, and most anything else that you feel like sharing!

Reverand wrote: ↑Thu Apr 24, 2025 2:29 pm My condolences as well, and a hearty welcome from Northern Alabama.

You have received some great advice, and it sounds like your head and heart are both in the right place. I am glad that you found your way here, to a site that is safe enough that you and your son can read through here together! Please keep sharing pictures of these wonderful knives. We love knife pictures here! And stories about your father and his knives, and most anything else that you feel like sharing!

Thank you very Much Reverand! Yes planning to share some of his pocket knife collection as well, he had around 40-50 which I was exploring late last year before I knew much about any brands. I gave a few away to a knife loving friend, cause I know they will be well loved. One surprise was a nice Case I found, had no idea was collectible until a few days ago. Ill post all in time. Thanks for the condolences.

Stag_Party73 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 22, 2025 2:57 am Just discovered this site and my blood pressure just dropped a ton as I now have a one stop spot to research my dad's knife collection, RIP. I'll be posting images to get your take, but may sell some on here once I decide which ones I will keep. My 12 YO son wants all of them, but not sure what he is going to do with 42 Anton Winger /Othello hunting and original buffalo skinners! Here is a taste what I am up against. Any advice on cleaning these vintage knifes would be helpful. I have been hearing mineral oil and 0000 steel wool is a good start, would hate to ruin any of them.

Hello and welcome from Indiana. Just my two cents, I would not use any kind of steel wool on these. That will scratch the surface. Use Simichrome or Case Paste instead to clean off the gunk and oxidation. Then assess it from there. I agree about not using power tools on them. The Kabar USMC knife looks like someone has already taken a grinder to the blade edge, which is a big no, no.
I do wipe stag with mineral oil but don’t leave it on long, just a little to moisten it up. Then wipe down and seal it with Renwax on the blade and everything.
If you use steel wool on the blades, that will show and decrease the value of these. Try the Simichrome and Renwax first. I think you will be pleased with the results. It seldom hurts a knife’s value to clean off oxidation and dirt with these products, but it will kill the value of a knife to use any steel wool or power tools. Hope this helps.

Sharpnshinyknives wrote: ↑Fri Apr 25, 2025 7:40 pm

Stag_Party73 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 22, 2025 2:57 am Just discovered ...

Hello and welcome from Indiana. Just my two cents, I would not use any kind of steel wool on these. That will scratch the surface. Use Simichrome or Case Paste instead to clean off the gunk and oxidation. Then assess it from there. I agree about not using power tools on them. The Kabar USMC knife looks like someone has already taken a grinder to the blade edge, which is a big no, no.
I do wipe stag with mineral oil but don’t leave it on long, just a little to moisten it up. Then wipe down and seal it with Renwax on the blade and everything.
If you use steel wool on the blades, that will show and decrease the value of these. Try the Simichrome and Renwax first. I think you will be pleased with the results. It seldom hurts a knife’s value to clean off oxidation and dirt with these products, but it will kill the value of a knife to use any steel wool or power tools. Hope this helps.

OK the Renwax arrived today, Simichrome will be here in a week. Thank you this is good stuff. I assume you just use a toothbrush with the Simichrome with the buffing cloth? And I am figuring a sharpening is in order, or for collectables is that left for the pros? Does anyone have a favorite sharpener for these more vintage knifes? I was looking at the Ken Onion Worksharp for the larger Knives then with the smaller Worksharp manual sharpener for my smaller pocket knives. Here is my recent obsession...Kabar 1235, sharp as a razor blade.

Stag_Party73 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 28, 2025 9:46 pm

Sharpnshinyknives wrote: ↑Fri Apr 25, 2025 7:40 pm

Stag_Party73 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 22, 2025 2:57 am Just discovered ...

Hello and welcome from Indiana. Just my two cents, I would not use any kind of steel wool on these. That will scratch the surface. Use Simichrome or Case Paste instead to clean off the gunk and oxidation. Then assess it from there. I agree about not using power tools on them. The Kabar USMC knife looks like someone has already taken a grinder to the blade edge, which is a big no, no.
I do wipe stag with mineral oil but don’t leave it on long, just a little to moisten it up. Then wipe down and seal it with Renwax on the blade and everything.
If you use steel wool on the blades, that will show and decrease the value of these. Try the Simichrome and Renwax first. I think you will be pleased with the results. It seldom hurts a knife’s value to clean off oxidation and dirt with these products, but it will kill the value of a knife to use any steel wool or power tools. Hope this helps.

OK the Renwax arrived today, Simichrome will be here in a week. Thank you this is good stuff. I assume you just use a toothbrush with the Simichrome with the buffing cloth? And I am figuring a sharpening is in order, or for collectables is that left for the pros? Does anyone have a favorite sharpener for these more vintage knifes? I was looking at the Ken Onion Worksharp for the larger Knives then with the smaller Worksharp manual sharpener for my smaller pocket knives. Here is my recent obsession...Kabar 1235, sharp as a razor blade.

Just use a soft cloth with the Simichrome, no brushes. It will do a lot more than you think it will but once you get started and see how black the cloth becomes you will see the results. If Simichrome won’t take it off, then it should stay on. Trying to buff out spots or pits will only make the knife worth less.
As far as sharpening. I would not use the Worksharp. I have one and find it is not good for many knives, unless they are ones you don’t care about. The sanding belts take off way too much steel and there is usually a gap of unsharpened blade where the knife won’t go in far enough to sharpen the entire blade, so you end up with a small unsharpened area near the bolster that is tough to level out manually. I won’t use my Worksharp on my pocket knives anymore. I just sharpen them by hand now. I use a system like the Lansky, which is a guided sharpening system. There are many different versions of these, they all work about the same. Can’t remember the name of the one I have. If you are going to resell these knives, then I wouldn’t sharpen them. Let the next owner do that his satisfaction. Good luck.

Fine pieces you have StagParty! For sharpening, I started out with Japanese whetstones, but wanted quicker results with less mess, and changed to diamond plates. I like the diamond plates for sharpening my pocket knives by hand. For fixed blades, I used a Ganzo guided system for a while, but found it to be lacking in stability. The Ganzo is affordable at less than $50. I used it a long time, then gave it to my neighbor. I now have a Hapstone guided system ... a lot more pricey, but works well for me on larger fixed blades. I have the option of extending it side to side to accommodate longer blades. Hope this helps. Sharpeners are kinda like holsters for guns. I don't believe a perfect one exists. As Mark said, all the guided systems work about the same. And to AAPK from NE TN!

This is great! Lots now to consider. Did some research and looking like a couple different models are interesting the RS black and the R2 standard. Though the stones cost will put me above where i was hoping to land. I like the idea of diamond impregnated stones. Does anyone swear by other stones? Thinking this will likely be my last sharpener for a long time.

Awesome collection, sorry to read how you acquired it.

to AAPK, lots of great knife information here, and then some!

Greetings, Stag Party...and welcome to AAPK. I just came across this thread and am amazed by your father's collection, which is now yours. What a WONDERFUL set of knives. As you already have been informed, there is a multitude of information on this site and some VERY knowledgeable knifers to help you out.

You have inherited a VERY nice collection of knives from your father. As has been stated by many, be careful in cleaning these knives up. You may very well have a 'priceless' collection...especially of the Anton Wingen Jr / Othello knives. They were made in Solingen, Germany. You didn't really state how much knowledge you have in what your father had, other than what you've observed and noticed on the tangs of the knives. I highly recommend you research Anton Wingen Jr. history. You may find that many of your knives 'could' be older than you think.

Here's a link about Anton Wingen Jr. and when he started making knives. Research the tang stamps on each Wingen knife to get a date on when it was made or close thereof.

https://www.lakesidetrader.com/Educatio ... /index.php

I wish you the best of luck on dealing with your collection. It was your father's collection, so that in itself should give credence to emotional and sentimental heirlooms / keepsakes. My condolences for the loss of your father.

Ken

Thank you so much for the review and advice!! Happy to be a new member and learn more about knives.
I did some polishing tonight..way too late, and found a few i thought i might share. Looks like the stamps indicate many of these were from the 40s and 50s.. i have three Original Buffalo Skinners..two more modern ie 50s, and one i think from the 20s or 30's. There are 41 Extra Hollow grounds then another 15 or other othello hunting knives. Then 4 or 5 Original Buffalo Hunter knives. Ill try to post some pics.
Hope you enjoy them..its late i could prob be more chatty.
Regards,
Dave