Collins Legitimus #18

D

Dawalta

Joined
Jan 3, 2020
Messages
8
Hello everyone. First time poster to this Forum. I could use some help with a knife I have and this seemed to be the best forum for advice.

I received from my uncle many, many years ago a Collins Legitimus #18 knife with sheath. They’re not in the best condition but I’d like to know more about it. I’ve searched the various forums and found some useful info but overall very sketchy. Seems to be a lot of confusion with this knife and incorrect references to the V44 (which I know it is not). I love old things and like fixing them up or restoring them. This knife seems like a good project. I don’t believe this particular knife is very collectible so I’d like to try cleaning it up and fixing portions of the horn handle where it’s broken or delaminating. Here’s pictures of the knife and appreciate any guidance you folks can offer. Hope the pics turn our right as this is my first time to post images.

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As a follow up note I should have added that my uncle I received this from served in WW2 in the Philippines. I’m not sure how the knife was damaged but I expect it saw some hard usage while he was stationed there. I was thinking about applying some thin CA glue into the areas where delamination is occurring and then possibly an epoxy buildup on the corner where it’s broken. Follow up with light sanding and polish/buffing. Tell me if that’s the most stupid thing you’ve ever heard of. I’m pretty thick skinned. I’m 68 and I received this in my early teens. Appreciate any guidance you guys can offer. Thanks in advance.
 
Honestly, if it were mine, I'd leave it be. It's actually in decent enough shape, that handle isn't showing as much wear as many, and to really do it right, and get the proper nubbed #216 handle shape these had would be tough. I would be temped to "re-stick" any bad edge delaminations or cracks though. In my experience, delaminations or edge cracks always get worse on these types of handles, and if they get caught on anything, tend to splinter off.

If you do decide to go refinish, the best way to fill in a bad horn handle is to find a piece of horn or hoof of similar color, grind it into dust, and then make a fill of Epoxy or Crazy Glue and the horn dust. Not saying to do this, but that is how many folks rebuild damaged horn.

Here is a good picture of the original #216 shape -




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Thanks Titt. I had thought about using old horn dust to mix in but not sure where to find now. If I had done this while I was in my teens growing up on the farm it wouldn’t have been a problem. Once a year we dehorned our steers. Lots of horn lying around. I appreciate the good pic to see actual shape. I wasn’t sure about the bent brass guard on mine.
 
I second that you just likely clean the blade, Guard with a fine Scotchbrite pad like you use on pots & pans . Hand buff the horn and put a little floor wax over it all. Write out a letter of providence and one of your heirs can keep or sell it someday. I’ve seen them it far worse condition.
 
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