I can't bring myself to use these....could you?

[Larry303]

G'day, I wonder how many original mint Schrade cleaning kits and Brown Box Honesteels etc are still out there unused?.....they feel nervous when ever I get them out.........presented with original Schrade Flyers for info....Hoo Roo

 

[thawk]

G'day, I wonder how many original mint Schrade cleaning kits and Brown Box Honesteels etc are still out there unused?.....they feel nervous when ever I get them out.........presented with original Schrade Flyers for info....Hoo Roo

I bought one that was slightly used, and have never even slightly used it. I probably should.

 

[orvet]

I have a couple of the kits and they are still sealed.

I did get 2 or 3 partial bottles in a bunch of stuff I traded for.
The oil works great.

Dale

 

[brady806]

great stuff larry------heres one i got on the bay 3 or 4 years ago:thumbup:

 

[Larry303]

G'day Brady...your Honesteel's a Walden..I havnt seen one that old before, pre 1973 and with original receipt..was there a date anywhere on the receipt?..neat. Hoo Roo

 

[ea42]

Cool thread Larry! Here's my kit, well used and apparently taped up at some point in its lifetime, with a bottle of oil salvaged from another kit. I use the stone regularly and it does put a wicked edge on the old knives!

[/IMG]


Brady that's a beauty! Those old Walden stones often sell for more than the knives! At some point they dropped the leather strap 'cause in Uncle Henry's words it "looks like a shoelace". I'll see if I can dig that paper up.

Eric

 

[brady806]

thanks guys, no the receipt didnt have a date--dang it--but looking at the price might be a clue, havent researched it. one thing i noticed about it when comparing it to the later versions is the metal is of a darker nature?? ------------brady

 

[ea42]

Brady, around about 1976-77 there was a change in the coatings on the steels. Union Carbide supplied the later coating, I'm not sure who did the first. This may have something to do with the different color shades.

Eric

 

[brady806]

Very interesting info eric, thanks
larry if you havent seen this one before i'll take that as a huge compliment!!--------thanks,brady

 

[Larry303]

Brought up for Roney and his question re his Schrade Walden Honesteel...being Walden it has to be pre 1973...
Brady shows an excellent Schrade Walden Honesteel in this thread same as Roney's I expect....Hoo Roo

 

[roney]

Yep...mine is the same as Brady's my box is a little more yellowed but the condition looks about the same...the instructions boast "SPACE AGE"...I can find no date on it anywhere but my Mother-in Law says it was bought before 1970 ???

 

[Pygmalion]

Larry, those look to be in pristine condition. If it were me, I would not use them. I'd keep my eye on the Bay and find a used set, if you really need one at all.

 

[Bob W]

I can't believe how much those Old Timer sharpening stones sell for, even higher now than in 2009 when this topic was created.

 

[rprocter]

My question is: how & when to use the Honesteel. Presumably no need for oil ? and, after using the stone, the HS is used to 'true' the edge ? i.e. the HS does not remove enough metal to sharpen the edge. it's purpose is to polish the edge and remove any wire edge ??
hoping the experts will let me know.
roland

 

[Dave Thinkstoomuch]

Hey, Roland. I was under the impression that it was used in place of a stone to actually sharpen the knife. It is not like a normal knife steel that is ultra fine and the honesteel will do more than remove the burr. It removes material. No need for water or oil with these. I've never used one but it is basically Schrade's fine "metal-stone" from everything I have read.

If I'm wrong on this guys please correct me!

I have read that they can be a little tricky to use as originally intended with the sheath being used as the handle for the honesteel because the attachment snap doesn't grab the steel firmly enough.

I think the best way to use it might well be the way Ray Mears (bush-craft Master) uses small stones in the field. He uses small finishing nails to hold the stone firmly in place on top of a log or a stump etc. I now use this method and it works great! Check it out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjKd3g9GFG8&feature=related

I also highly recommend his two videos for proper use of full-sized Japanese water-stones and some cool stropping teks (uses belt and car window).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=We1-CDNaSFs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPRiJ_YnSCI&feature=related

If you master his techniques your knives will be scalpel sharp.

Just for fun here's some pics of the "carborundum" I used growing up. It's one my Dad got in 1947 while working creel census in Algonquin Provincial Park. I could flatten it out and use it up but small stones are cheap and this one is now on display with my Schrades.