ID and Refurb of Grandad's trads (Kabar, Case, Barlow, Unk?)

[vaisforloverss]

Good Day,

My Mom just now found out about my knife collecting hobby. On a recent trip home she gave me all of her Dad's (my Granddad's) blades. I'd like to do two things, one ID them, and two refurbish any worth refurbishing. I am NOT interested in parting with any! Most of my limited knowlede resides with Spyderco's, SAKs, etc. and I have next to zero knowledge regarding traditional folders. Does anyone have any recommendations for ID-ing and refurbishing these?

I am new to old knives, so before I start WD-40ing them, what do I need to make sure I do and don't do. Lastly, can anyone recommend a professional "refurbisher"?

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Top Left: No readable IDing marks. Yellow 2 3/4" closed. The Whancliff blade will only open about 1/4 of the way. The other blade is broken off. It is the one in the worst shape. The enamel or paint is flaking and all metal is rusted.

2nd from Top Left: No readable IDing marks. Brown bone or antler, 3 3/4" closed.Four blades, none will open without risk of damage.

3rd from Top Left: Double Bladed Kabar 3 15/16" closed. Probably most interested in refurbishing this one.

4th from Top Left: Case. Three blades, 4" closed.

Bottom Left: Novelty Blade, please disregard

Top Right: Mother of Pearl, 3 1/8" closed, double bladed. Looks like it was once very pretty, now cannot open

Three Barlows on Right. All are very similar. One has Imperial USA, Prov, R.I. on the blade. One has Keen Kutter, 828, Hand Made on the blade.

 

[billym]

You will need closer photos of the tang stamps. The Case knives stamps can tell you model, handle material and even a ball park of when they were manufactured.

 

[vaisforloverss]

You will need closer photos of the tang stamps. The Case knives stamps can tell you model, handle material and even a ball park of when they were manufactured.

Thank you billym,

The Case Knife Tang Stamp on the largest blade says:
CASE XX
U.S.A.
The other side says
6392 (it could be G392)

The KABAR only says KABAR

The Barlow with writing on the tang says Imperial, Prov RI USA

The other Barlow I could open says "Keen Kutter 828 Hand Made" on the blade

The following I could not read any markings, nor open the remaining two blades

The other knives I could not open at all due to rust.

Thank you again

 

[billym]

Get some 3in1 oil in the stuck joints. They may come loose. Try gently pulling them out using needle nose pliers.

 

[yablanowitz]

The Case is a 6392 Stockman, looks like a 1965-1969 tang stamp. Those are very good knives. The last one is a congress pattern, and what I can see of the one stamp looks like John Primble. I've also heard good things about the old Keen Kutters. The Imperial Barlows were very inexpensive (usually sold off a card display for $4 to $6, but decent steel. I'd suggest soaking them all in a pan of mineral oil for a day or two, then see what you can do with them.

 

[mike Berkovitch]

The congress is John Primble Belknap, yablanowitz is correct. Looks much like Boker congress.
You need to clean them all with warm water and mild soap, then dry them well, put a lot of WD-40 and leave it for 1-2 days, then soak in mineral oil for 2-3 days and see how it goes. If needed than do oils treatment as much as needed.
Mike

 

[vaisforloverss]

Jack and Mike,
Thank you for the info!

When I get home from my trip I'll use Mike's advice and clean them up.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.

James