Am I the only one that adores pitted blades?

[DeadFall27]

After searching for knives and checking out recommendations from my last thread, I decided to take a break and check out the 'bay like I love to do in my spare time. While combing through the posts, I came across quite a few I liked. After looking through my picks, I noticed a pattern; all of them were pitted and well-worn. I am not sure about you, but well-loved and heavily pitted knives are my favorites to have in my pocket. I like them more than brand new knives.

It's funny, because I have almost just bought one of the GEC Boy's knives in rust red bone just so I could leave it outside to rust and pit (I may still do it honestly...) I know that it take away from the character that it naturally will earn from being in my possession, but there is something about pitting I love.

Is there anyone else that loves pitting like I do?

-Jim

 

[Andya27]

I'm too new at this to know exactly what I will really end up liking. But I do know that most of my knives are traditionals, and most have carbon blades. Some have acquired quite the patina already. Though none has gone as far as rust and pit, I can imagine a time when one might stray from the pocket and stay outside during a rain storm. I suspect that in some ways the natural process of the knife aging would mirror my own aging (sadly), and so I could certainly imagine myself appreciating a pitted blade. Perhaps the aging and rusting process of my own person has been what has drawn me more to traditionals than to modern folders.

That being said, I don't plan to leave any of my knives outside intentionally so that the blade will pit or rust. It would be more of a natural process. Of course, I reserve my right to change my mind.

 

[DeadFall27]

Thank you for your input, Andy.

And you know, it does feel unnatural and, dare I say, blasphemy in a way, to intentionally let a blade deteriorate. I guess that is part of the reason I posted this thread; to see who else is like me, and to discuss the ethics of my idea.

What is keeping me from it is the fact that i live to see my knives age alongside me. Now, I am very young, and my blades mirror that more or less. But I beleive that why I am drawn to pitting is because of they have done their time on this Earth. Intentionally pitting prematurely would, in away, ruin the ability for the tool to age with me and spoil it. (I want to word this differently, but dont have the words I want to say in mind at the moment...)

 

[Woodrow F Call]

I love patina, I'm good with a worn blade...... I hate to see pitted and rusted knives as it's a sign of neglect.

 

[Stich2442]

I like old knives, I like the character, it's sort of like a time capsule, I don't carry them as often as I used to, my wife has gifted me some really nice Gec knives the last few years so I've been carrying them most days. I also find that they are a great value if you know where to look, I go to flea markets and pay between $1-$7 for most of these pictured.

Pete

 

[kamagong]

You're the only one.

...well-loved and heavily pitted...

Well-loved and heavily pitted don't really go together. While some pitting may be inevitable, the knives you speak of were neglected.

I really don't like pitting and try to avoid it as much as I can. I unknowingly packed a knife wet once during a move.

My face fell when I took it out of its scabbard and saw the condition of the blade. I tried to sand out the pits, but they went too deep. That was a valuable lesson for me; it's much easier to take care of your tools than is to repair them.

- Christian

 

[jc57]

I don't mind it when a patina (change in color) occurs. I don't like pitting (damage to the steel). But that's me, nothing wrong with your choices either.

 

[screened porch]

I like old knives if they're not too used up: I don't worry about the first scratch, and they've already shown that they can take it.
But although you have to expect some surface rust, pitting breaks my heart. It's such deep damage.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

Patina is great, and preferred. Pitting is not viewed too kindly.

 

[InSpectre Gadget]

I like it when the blade is only made of rust, where if you touch it flakes fall off and it crumbles. Them are my favorites.

 

[sitflyer]

A few pics for you Jim. The first is a knife that stays on my workbench. I got it in this shape, and it gets used pretty regularly for stuff I wouldn't use my "pretty" knives for. I love it!




Here's a 1980 Buck Ranger I fished off the Bay a few years back. Sadly it was probably somebody's tacklebox knife, and could barely be opened and closed when I got it.

440C stainless definitely can rust. I used this one for learning how to take these apart and re-assemble them, and re shaped it a bit as I went along. I absolutely love this knife The pits are scars to be sure, but now this poor abused knife has found a home where it is once again used and admired. The pits don't affect the function, as long as they are not at the edge, and these two still have tons of life left in them.

 

[black mamba]

Here are a pair of older, well used stockmen with some unfortunate pitting on the blades. The Schrade Walden on the left is one of my favorites and gets carried a lot. It even has pitting and gouges on the very edges, but I just sharpened right through them and it has a very sharp edge on all blades. I would still prefer them without the pitting.

 

[A Justice]

I like old knives, I like the character, it's sort of like a time capsule, I don't carry them as often as I used to, my wife has gifted me some really nice Gec knives the last few years so I've been carrying them most days. I also find that they are a great value if you know where to look, I go to flea markets and pay between $1-$7 for most of these pictured.

Pete

I have an Old Timer that is worn out, it was given to me by a friend - but it is so worn that I have no affinity for it as a tool or gift. I have long wondered if there was anyone out there that collected specifically Old Worn knives - and thought about doing a GAW of the knife where the stipulations was to post pictures of your collections of old worn knives, and the winner would be the person that exhibited the biggest collection/interest in knives that were old and used/ possibly abused.

Is there really a segment of collectors that specifically look for knives that are worn - that tell a story of a long life's work?

 

[richstag]

I don't like pitting unless...

The pitting came from honest use over time and every preventive measure was exhausted and having the knife along was the primary cause.

Neglect leading to pitting is not a good thing IMO.

I have some slight pitting from a days work. It can happen if you set up the right conditions.

On the other hand, my axe ended up pitted from being left in the leather sheath in a damp area. That makes me very angry and I hate to see it.

Kevin

 

[tongueriver]

Patina good. Damage, not good. The only positive thing I can offer is that often damaged knives can be had for very reasonable cost, and can be appreciated and/or used for their intrinsic value (whatever is left). Deliberate damage? Hmmm......

 

[r8shell]

I have an Old Timer that is worn out, it was given to me by a friend - but it is so worn that I have no affinity for it as a tool or gift. I have long wondered if there was anyone out there that collected specifically Old Worn knives - and thought about doing a GAW of the knife where the stipulations was to post pictures of your collections of old worn knives, and the winner would be the person that exhibited the biggest collection/interest in knives that were old and used/ possibly abused.

Is there really a segment of collectors that specifically look for knives that are worn - that tell a story of a long life's work?

I don't particularly care for pitting, per se (per say that ten times fast )

But I do like to take a 'worn out', possibly abused knife, and give it a chance.

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I like the way old knives show their years of service. While I have forced a patina from time to time, I would never purposely promote pitting. But if you like the look, it's your knife, I say enjoy.

 

[jon_slider]

Pitting has character, and it is a sign that someone has cleaned the rust and neglect off an old knife, revealing a still useable blade.

Here is a knife with a lot of light pitting, character..

I agree with others that rust, neglect and pitting are not recommended intentional behaviors, otoh, I agree with the OP that cleaned blades, that are pitted, are still very useable.

Im a skeptic about patina, and believe that what keeps a blade from rusting is oil, and or frequent wiping dry. Storing long term in a leather sheath is a no no in damp climates. But an oiled blade will be more likely to avoid rust than a dry one, even one with dry patina. What patina is good at, is holding oil... just my contrarian opinion

 

[midnight flyer]

I don't like pitting unless...

The pitting came from honest use over time and every preventive measure was exhausted and having the knife along was the primary cause.

Neglect leading to pitting is not a good thing IMO.

I have some slight pitting from a days work. It can happen if you set up the right conditions.

On the other hand, my axe ended up pitted from being left in the leather sheath in a damp area. That makes me very angry and I hate to see it.

Kevin

There you go. I agree with that. I have seen some knives, particularly hunting/skinning/camp knives that simply weren't possible to clean properly after use that wound up with some pits and heavy surface corrosion. While not good, that's OK. My old Schrade Golden Spike was my go to knife while hunting for years and blood and guts really do a number on a knife.

Same with a work knife. Using knives around caustic and corrosive materials can catch you off guard if you aren't mindful.

I don't mind the wear and tear on a knife if it earned it doing something ugly (but still don't like it), but I really don't like to see damaged knives that were simply neglected.

Robert

 

[kamagong]

I don't like pitting unless...

The pitting came from honest use over time and every preventive measure was exhausted and having the knife along was the primary cause.

Neglect leading to pitting is not a good thing IMO.

I have some slight pitting from a days work. It can happen if you set up the right conditions.

On the other hand, my axe ended up pitted from being left in the leather sheath in a damp area. That makes me very angry and I hate to see it.

Kevin

That sums up my feelings as well. Wear is one thing, intentional damage another. This thread reminds me of a sentiment I read once where the poster bought a knife he didn't quite connect with. He still used it, but he saved it for things you might not want to use an ivory handled Scagel on.

I did everything I could to destroy it in a constructive and sportsmanlike way...

- Christian

 

[singin50]

That ain't pitted, this is pitted! But I love it just the same! Still keeps a great edge too.