bought a unknown custom knife with no marking

Doug C said:
I think we're talking about soaking the handle to cut the smell.

DC
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Yes, just the handle. It should remove the smell within 2 days. If that is not an option, then he can try using a mixture of baking soda, water (1:5 mix) and a splash of vinegar. Same 2-3 days will kill that awful smell. The smell may be the result of the horn used came from an already decomposed animal.
 
Thomas Linton said:
You might find this interesting.

http://judaica101.ajudaica.com/religious-articles/shofar/clean-a-shofar/
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Seems like good advice.

One learns something new every day. Never considered how to clean a Shofar before.
(cue the jokes "Are you happy to see me or is that a sweet smelling Shofar in your pocket." "What is that smell, is it me or your Shofar!?").

I likewise concur with the majority here - most likely a Pakistani Special. Good luck cleaning that thing - Shofar style.
 
Time for a Reality Check: Your knife is no good. You were 'had' for whatever money this cost you. No knife maker whose blades actually sharpen up and cut would put stinky handles on it. It is all but 100% certain that the blade steel is soft and not even in expert sharpening hands can a usable edge be established. If you are a novice at sharpening it will only frustrate you to try and sharpen it. Because it cannot take an edge it will not even be a learning experience.
The value of this knife is that it brought you here. "Knives" as a whole is a huge body of knowledge. Knife designs, steels and knife making is far more involved and complex than any novice can imagine.
I suggest you spend the next few months reading in the various sub-forums that comprise BF. Make sure to read the Knifemakers' For Sale Fixed Blade sub-forum. You will see many well made knives in a wide variety of styles and get to read comments from previous buyers and thus learn which makers are consistently making excellent knives.
A few months of this and you will begin to understand knives a little and will be in a much better position to choose wisely for your second custom knife purchase.
Even though your knife has a repulsive smell, your enthusiasm for knives shows through. You bought this knife because it 'spoke' to you. For reasons you cannot explain you just liked it at first sight. You are a 'knifer' at heart. Everyone who has posted here knows the experience of a a knife calling to you "I am yours, You need me. Now". Problem here is, your knife is deceptive, you are gullible, and it lied to you. Spending time reading and posting questions here at BF will prevent this from happening again.
It's time to cut your losses rather than frustrate yourself further. Dispose permanently of this "knife", go to 'square one' which is learning about knives from your brethren knife lovers before you take on the 'knife jungle' that preys on novices.
You will never regret the time invested.
kj
 
"You can wash it with soap. You can wash it with water. You can spray it with soda but you can't get rid of the odor"
:)
 
If at worst you polish it up as a reminder, its still worthwhile. Use it, see if it is in fact one of the few good ones. Even a reputable knife should never be taken into the field untested. do what you think it should be able to do, and if you break it, better to break it at home, rather than cold and wet and needing a fire.
 
I like to go to the woods and shed hunt for whitetail antlers. Some years ago i found a carcass that was a huge 10 point. Man oh man did it stink. Even after taking the whole head and leaving it outside for weeks I would pick it up by the antlers to check it out. The smell that would be transferred to my hands from the antlers would turn a strong stomach. That is the only way I can relate to this story. I agree with Zieg on this one. The smell is trapped in the pores. The smell on my antlers did eventually go away though!
 
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