Documenting the development of a natural patina on my Ben Hogan

[Nightshifter]

Great patina there. I too am a sucker for any knife with a long pull. My most carried stockmans have them.
Paul

 

[Doug Add]

Last time I updated this thread we started down the path of discussing long pulls.

Not a lot has changed on the blade patina, but since it has been a couple months since I posted some photos, I thought I would do so again. I used it one night earlier this week to slice vegetables for stuffed peppers I made. While the patina has not changed much, the blade now smells almost as much like onion and garlic as it does steel!

Here is the Hogan's most recent work:

 

[Bigfattyt]

Great thread.
That primitive bone keeps getting better too!

 

[puukkoman]

Great thread.
That primitive bone keeps getting better too!

I was just about to say the same thing. Not only is the blade developing some nice color, but the bone is really starting to show some character as well. Very nice! :thumbup:

 

[Doug Add]

Thanks for the kind words. I like the way it is changing as well.

Made a pot of chili this afternoon, since the weather has turned cooler. But I cheated on vegetable prep by using my chef's knife instead of the Hogan. Maybe I'll use it to slice the onion later this evening when I whip up some broccoli cheddar cornbread.

 

[Doug Add]

I did give the Ben Hogan a little workout this evening, slicing just one onion and a couple cloves of garlic for the broccoli cheddar cornbread.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

It's really starting to get that well used "Old Knife" look. For some reason that long pull is really appealing on knives with a good patina.

You're right, a patina on an old knife with a long pull is probably what appeals me to me most on an old knife.

 

[Doug Add]

I started this thread to document the blade patina, but the primitive bone has changed over time as well.

I'll gather in this one post a few pictures of the knife to show the change. I'll use the pile side, because one of the not-necessarily-positive developments is how some of the primitive look when it was new has disappeared.

Of course lighting differences enter into the equation, but the appearance of the bone has changed over time.

April 5, new knife:

April 12, after one week:

June 18, after two and a half months:

August 29, after four and a half months:

September 19, after five and a half months (the most recent picture I have of the pile side):

 

[richstag]

I bet most of what is missing was dirt and crud

?

 

[Doug Add]

Yep, this knife has been sequestered to kitchen use, so it rarely gets out to play in the mess that my other knives do.

 

[richstag]

Well, I still think it looks great. Though some stag can age the same way and I can't say it makes me very happy.

I look forward to seeing it in another few months

 

[Doug Add]

I look forward to seeing it in another few months

Thanks Kevin, I do too.

 

[The Government]

Thanks for these great comparison pictures!

It has taken on a warmth that it did not have before. I like it. :thumbup:

You might try rubbing it in some dirt and grit, and then leaving in the sun for 200 years to get it back to normal. (JK)

My one sample has changed very similarly to yours.

 

[Doug Add]

You might try rubbing it in some dirt and grit, and then leaving in the sun for 200 years to get it back to normal. (JK)

That would certainly get the primitive back!

 

[Bowman1911]

Awesome pics!!! Blade looks good, but the bone looks even better!

 

[puukkoman]

I'm loving the way the bone has aged so far. Looks really nice!

 

[Doug Add]

This will be my last update to this thread. This afternoon I sold the Ben Hogan to make way for a couple other knives I have been wanting to acquire.

It has served me well these six months, and I have enjoyed watching it change from showroom new to a genuine user knife.

April 5:

October 24:

April 5:

October 24: