AFAustin
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jun 8, 2004
- Messages
- 2,504
The other day, fellow BFer arizonaranchman (Jeff) and I were discussing the fact that we both have a fondness for spearpoints, and in fact each own the exact model of two fine examples: the Northfield #55 Hound Tooth in Autumn Jig Bone, and the #79 Workhorse in Blood Red Bone.
But I want to talk a minute about another spearpoint, a modest knife in comparison to the aforementioned two, but nevertheless a real favorite of mine. It is a stock Case Canoe, in Mediterranean Blue Jigged Bone. I bought it new some time ago on the well known auction site for the bargain price of $34, if memory serves. It has seen a fair amount of use since, though nothing strenuous---mainly kitchen and other miscellaneous chores. It is a wonderful slicer and I really enjoy the wide thin spear blade for that purpose---the thin blade just glides through the work while the width of it provides strength and leverage. And the pen blade is a treat---likewise very thin blade stock but longer and wider than the usual pen, and sharp as can be.
In any event, while I always enjoyed this knife and carried it frequently, one thing was "off". I didn't like the squared off sides of the scales. They were not very comfortable and also gave the knife a "boxy" look that detracted from an otherwise attractive appearance. I confess I have a thing about hard edges and protruding angles. I have de-humped humped blades, consistently rounded sharp tangs, sanded down proud pins, etc., etc. So this weekend, in need of a little meditative therapy in the midst of all kinds of digital/customer service hell stemming from a switch in our home telephone vendors, I decided to give my little blue Canoe a makeover.
I jump started the project by using some tool belts on my Work Sharp to round off the sharp corners of the scales. But after that it was mano a mano as I pulled out my Micro Mesh MX pads, all 13 grits, and finished the job. I worked on the edges and the flats of the scales to soften them up overall---I wanted a sleeker profile as well as a comfortable "pocketworn" feel and look. The bolsters were scratched up so I went ahead and did them, too, and that was the hard part---achieving a true mirror polish with zero scratch marks visible is something I'm just not skilled enough---or patient enough---to achieve. But they came out fair-to-middlin', and I know the soft nickel silver will scuff up soon enough anyway.
I am happy with the results, although I'm not a good enough photographer to really capture the changes in the scales, not to mention the fact that I didn't even think to take a "before" picture. So, I guess you'll have to trust me on this one, but I now like my little blue Canoe even more.
Andrew
But I want to talk a minute about another spearpoint, a modest knife in comparison to the aforementioned two, but nevertheless a real favorite of mine. It is a stock Case Canoe, in Mediterranean Blue Jigged Bone. I bought it new some time ago on the well known auction site for the bargain price of $34, if memory serves. It has seen a fair amount of use since, though nothing strenuous---mainly kitchen and other miscellaneous chores. It is a wonderful slicer and I really enjoy the wide thin spear blade for that purpose---the thin blade just glides through the work while the width of it provides strength and leverage. And the pen blade is a treat---likewise very thin blade stock but longer and wider than the usual pen, and sharp as can be.
In any event, while I always enjoyed this knife and carried it frequently, one thing was "off". I didn't like the squared off sides of the scales. They were not very comfortable and also gave the knife a "boxy" look that detracted from an otherwise attractive appearance. I confess I have a thing about hard edges and protruding angles. I have de-humped humped blades, consistently rounded sharp tangs, sanded down proud pins, etc., etc. So this weekend, in need of a little meditative therapy in the midst of all kinds of digital/customer service hell stemming from a switch in our home telephone vendors, I decided to give my little blue Canoe a makeover.
I jump started the project by using some tool belts on my Work Sharp to round off the sharp corners of the scales. But after that it was mano a mano as I pulled out my Micro Mesh MX pads, all 13 grits, and finished the job. I worked on the edges and the flats of the scales to soften them up overall---I wanted a sleeker profile as well as a comfortable "pocketworn" feel and look. The bolsters were scratched up so I went ahead and did them, too, and that was the hard part---achieving a true mirror polish with zero scratch marks visible is something I'm just not skilled enough---or patient enough---to achieve. But they came out fair-to-middlin', and I know the soft nickel silver will scuff up soon enough anyway.
I am happy with the results, although I'm not a good enough photographer to really capture the changes in the scales, not to mention the fact that I didn't even think to take a "before" picture. So, I guess you'll have to trust me on this one, but I now like my little blue Canoe even more.
Andrew
)