A Case Pocketknife I brought back from the dead

kfields

kfields

Joined
May 10, 2009
Messages
98
Three years ago, the family was working hard to clean out my parents home to put it up for sale. They had passed away and lived in the house my grandparents had lived in as well.
Cleaning out one of the drawers in the hutch, I found this pocket knife shoved way back in the drawer. Immediate decisions had to be made as to what to keep, sell, give away or pitch. I put this in the keep pile, I guess because I was pretty sure my grandfather used it at one time. I suspect my grandfather lost it somewhere in one of the barns (or outside), maybe my dad found it and put it in the drawer where it was forgotten.
So I brought it home and figured I'd give it a shot at bringing it back to life or at least look presentable. The knife closes and opens good and has good snap. Cleaning, soaking, use of gun oil and mineral oil and fine steel wool on the two blades, I was able to put it back into rotation. Found a small pouch for it (knife is about 2 3/4 inches closed) so I can wear it on my belt and not lose it. Based on the tang stamps, I think this was made somewhere in the 1970-79 timeframe. Always think of my grandpa when I use it! Here's a before and after pic:
CLHWBrM.jpg

8HvoWwF.jpg
 
kfields said:
Three years ago, the family was working hard to clean out my parents home to put it up for sale. They had passed away and lived in the house my grandparents had lived in as well.
Cleaning out one of the drawers in the hutch, I found this pocket knife shoved way back in the drawer. Immediate decisions had to be made as to what to keep, sell, give away or pitch. I put this in the keep pile, I guess because I was pretty sure my grandfather used it at one time. I suspect my grandfather lost it somewhere in one of the barns (or outside), maybe my dad found it and put it in the drawer where it was forgotten.
So I brought it home and figured I'd give it a shot at bringing it back to life or at least look presentable. The knife closes and opens good and has good snap. Cleaning, soaking, use of gun oil and mineral oil and fine steel wool on the two blades, I was able to put it back into rotation. Found a small pouch for it (knife is about 2 3/4 inches closed) so I can wear it on my belt and not lose it. Based on the tang stamps, I think this was made somewhere in the 1970-79 timeframe. Always think of my grandpa when I use it! Here's a before and after pic:
CLHWBrM.jpg

8HvoWwF.jpg
Click to expand...
Great save!! Please show us the tang stamp if you can - those peanuts are great little knives!!! I have one made from 1965 to 1969!
Peanut USA 1.jpg
 
kfields said:
Three years ago, the family was working hard to clean out my parents home to put it up for sale. They had passed away and lived in the house my grandparents had lived in as well.
Cleaning out one of the drawers in the hutch, I found this pocket knife shoved way back in the drawer. Immediate decisions had to be made as to what to keep, sell, give away or pitch. I put this in the keep pile, I guess because I was pretty sure my grandfather used it at one time. I suspect my grandfather lost it somewhere in one of the barns (or outside), maybe my dad found it and put it in the drawer where it was forgotten.
So I brought it home and figured I'd give it a shot at bringing it back to life or at least look presentable. The knife closes and opens good and has good snap. Cleaning, soaking, use of gun oil and mineral oil and fine steel wool on the two blades, I was able to put it back into rotation. Found a small pouch for it (knife is about 2 3/4 inches closed) so I can wear it on my belt and not lose it. Based on the tang stamps, I think this was made somewhere in the 1970-79 timeframe. Always think of my grandpa when I use it! Here's a before and after pic:
CLHWBrM.jpg

8HvoWwF.jpg
Click to expand...
You did a fantastic job: cleaned and in working order without losing its character. It's a family heirloom for sure. 👍
 
Thanks everyone for the kind comments. It was a fun little project.
My grandfather wore bib overalls on the farm and I always remember him carrying a pocket knife in one of the small chest pockets. He would occasionally chew a small piece of a cigar - pull out a cigar and his pocket knife, cut a piece off and put it in his mouth!
 
kfields said:
Three years ago, the family was working hard to clean out my parents home to put it up for sale. They had passed away and lived in the house my grandparents had lived in as well.
Cleaning out one of the drawers in the hutch, I found this pocket knife shoved way back in the drawer. Immediate decisions had to be made as to what to keep, sell, give away or pitch. I put this in the keep pile, I guess because I was pretty sure my grandfather used it at one time. I suspect my grandfather lost it somewhere in one of the barns (or outside), maybe my dad found it and put it in the drawer where it was forgotten.
So I brought it home and figured I'd give it a shot at bringing it back to life or at least look presentable. The knife closes and opens good and has good snap. Cleaning, soaking, use of gun oil and mineral oil and fine steel wool on the two blades, I was able to put it back into rotation. Found a small pouch for it (knife is about 2 3/4 inches closed) so I can wear it on my belt and not lose it. Based on the tang stamps, I think this was made somewhere in the 1970-79 timeframe. Always think of my grandpa when I use it! Here's a before and after pic:
CLHWBrM.jpg

8HvoWwF.jpg
Click to expand...

Great save!

For the saving of a peanut above and beyond the call, you are eligible for the Royal Order Of The Legume. Its the highest decoration the Cult Of The Peanut has. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
Wow, very nice job. Lots of fun bringing old knives back to life. Makes it very special with the family history.
 
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