A new outlook...

338375

338375

Joined
Nov 4, 2006
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In the past, my focus has been I think like a lot of us here, only looking for knives that were in mint, or near mint condition....

While this is still fun, once the knife arrived and it got the initial fondling and cleaning (if necessary), off it went into the safe. Or it might go in pocket for a turn in the rotation...

I have noticed that lately my attention has turned towards the knives that not long ago I would have passed over.. Knives that are still in tact and structurally sound but are dirty, and possibly have some corrosion. All the things that turn a lot of collectors away from the knife.

There is something in me that says, " This knife has been around for years and has served someone well. It deserves the respect of having someone give it a little TLC and put it back to use for its intended pupose"...

I get a tremendous amount of satisfaction out of doing this with a knife.
My wife thinks I have issues and I'm sure I do, but it allows me to "Bond" with my new found friend....

I will still be on the lookout for mint condition specimens, and continue to count down the time while I'm on the waiting list of a few custom makers...
But my search has really expanded. I have a few new vintage Case friends in transit and will post pics when they arrive and have received the proper amount of TLC...

Anyone else enjoy doing this also ?
If so, I would really like to see some pics posted here, especially before and after pics....
 
I don't buy anymore knives, usually, exept for what you are saying. Not too long ago, i picked up a Camillus scout knife like the one I had as a kid for a couple dollors at a yard sale. It was a little rusty, but not too badly pitted. Some steel wool and 3-in-1 oil and its ready to serve more years.

I do like old things, and its a good feeling to put an old .22 rifle or pocket knife back in operation.
 
Some of my favorite knives in recent years are vintage pieces that have done honorable service for one or more owners before they arrived here to rest for a while.

Most of these have been maintained in nice condition despite displaying worn blades and scales. Plenty of life left in each instance.

I can well imagine, however, the next step in this continuum being the "rescue" of old, neglected knives.

Heck, it worked for my dog going on three years now. Why not deserving knives? :thumbup::cool:

Knife Rescue...Because The Life You Save May Enhance Your Own
 
I like my customs and the others in my collection but I do find myself looking for sturdy, comfortable pocket knives of the past. They fit your hand. They have decent steel for blades that are thick and ground right. Pulls that are deep enough that your fingernail can hook the blades. Not shallow due to the thin blades of today. The newer knives on the market is what prompted me to go back in history for a good using knife. Sometimes I look at a perfect 80 year old knife and hesitate to put in my pocket for whatever should come our way. But I do it. The ones that need a bit of cleaning and honing seem to grow on you as you get to know them. But I use them. That's what we do.
Greg
 
I have been doing this for years. Responded in kind on several threads here in this forum in the recent past about it as well. Many folks don't realize the value you can get in a vintage, very well made USA, German, or English brand knife that may not be abused but just neglected, and then to breath new life into it just with a little TLC. Another advantage is that you acquire a product skillfully produced by long dead cutlers with superior materials that rivals the work of a large percentage of today's custom knife makers not to mention current production slippy's. .

I am reminded of a recent 1915-20's Boker and 1930's Schrade that I purchased that the combined cost of the two knives were less than a current Overseas made Congress pattern I have heard talked about in this forum by some of its members. Pondering the quality of my purchase, I had to LOL quite uncontrollably for a spell after reading one members testimonial regarding his wonderful new off shore brand Congress pattern And how he ran out and ordered 7-8 more of them. . Anyway, I digress.

If you know what to look for you can find real old world value and craftsmanship as well as enjoy the satisfaction of breathing new life into an old knife, and carry and use it with pride!
 
one of my favorites is an old beat up utica single blade butterbean. beat up, used hard, and put away wet. have it in my pocket with my strider smf. i'll go either way, had my sebenza and a case full size sodbuster i traded for on monday, in my pocket today. used is cheaper to you, and better, you don't feel bad using it.
 
I know what you mean:thumbup:. Several months ago I got a Case Centennial stag 53033 SS that was full of gunk. I cleaned and sharpened her up.......my first Case stockman is a stag beauty:D. Then I found a NTSA confiscated Case 6333 SS natural jigged bone on the bay. That small stockman wasn't as dirty but the main blade was sharpened by an armature. After a cleaning, scotchbrite satin finish, and sharpening she was ready for the pocket again.

I enjoy buying old abused and neglected knives and fixing them up more than buying new shiny ones. My buddy saw me at my desk the other night with bottles of oil out, pipe cleaners, Q-tips, toothpicks, rags, brushes, etc...he asked "Are you building a bomb over there?";)

Sorry, no camera = no pics but that should change soon.
 
A majority of my several hundred knives are/or have been users at some point. My dad and grandfathers knives I have were mostly users. Some were never used, but most were. I buy a good bit of knives and I get very few that I would not consider using.

To me, the look of used pocket carry is art. Its the love of an old friend.
 
My Granddad used an old Barlow that I still have in my closet. He was an electrician and wherever Pap went he had his Barlow and a yellow flashlight with him. Good memories.
 
One of my favorite knives is an old Camillus #17 two-blade jack that I picked up off Ebay almost 2 years ago. The main spearpoint blade has about 20% wear on it, but the pen is pretty close to full and the jigged-bone handle scales show wear, and the blades are both nicely-patinad for much use...and both are SHARP! It has become one of my favorite carry knives, and cuts most anything I want it to. I love the old pocketknives!

Ron
 
Blues said:
Knife Rescue...Because The Life You Save May Enhance Your Own
Click to expand...

Well put Elliott, I like that..

Jackknife, I can relate to what you said about the satisfaction of giving an old 22 new life as well.
Up until about 5 years ago, I was very heavily into collecting guns. Mostly vintage Winchesters and Colts.. While at a garage sale on day I spotted an older Ruger Single-Six laying on the table. I asked if it was for sale and the man said yes. Well I pulled it out of the holster to look at it, it was clear that this fella didn't take care of his stuff..
This poor thing had a lot of very light surface rust and the bore was absolutely filthy. I had to have it:D I probably spent 2 days giving it a lot of tlc. It cleaned up great. You can tell it has been used but it really gives it character, and it shoots great. When I decided it was time to sell off some of my collection, the though of selling the Ruger never entered my mind.
It is a trusted friend now that I always take when I go shooting..
I did the same thing with a couple very early Winchester single shot bolt action rifles.. Those to will never be sold..
 
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