Joseph Rodgers & Sons Sports Utility Folder ~ Vintage

Chui

Chui

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Jul 10, 2012
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Am currently making enquiries in UK as to how best to clean this up. It is in very good condition, considering, but I would like to understand best methods first.

Nobody being very helpful so far, but am sure info will arrive soon. There's a few enthusiasts in USA I'd wager.!

Maybe Jack Black Jack Black will know of someone in Sheffield....?

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Give it a light cleaning with some WD-40 and a rag or paper towel wrapped around something thin enough to get in between the liners. If there is any active rust use a brass wire brush. Are the handles Horn or metal ?
 
SteveC said:
Give it a light cleaning with some WD-40 and a rag or paper towel wrapped around something thin enough to get in between the liners. If there is any active rust use a brass wire brush. Are the handles Horn or metal ?
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- cheers, Steve

Am going to start very gently with a toothbrush and Ballistol. The scales look to be bone/horn.
 
Chui said:
- cheers, Steve

Am going to start very gently with a toothbrush and Ballistol. The scales look to be bone/horn.
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I'm not sure if Ballistol is a great idea if there are any brass liners or pins. (I've read differing opinions)
 
I personally think that Knife is in beautiful condition, I get stuck in with a toothbrush and Mineral oil, also Bamboo food skewers to clean in the liners, if there is any red rust I use 0000 grade steel wool as that does not remove patina nor does it leave scratch marks when used carefully.

I just don't think that Knife needs cleaning whatsoever.

What horrifies me is on other platforms -we are seeing the old knives in absolute brand new polished condition and people are coming saying "wow fantastic etc" and while there may be a very small percentage of existing mint ones out there- these people are cleaning them and the first thought I have is "Oh . that's very shiny", where as your Joseph Rodgers looks stunning carrying its patina, I would buy that in a heart beat compared to a polished one sitting next to it.

By the way - what an outstanding Knife!!!
 
Campbellclanman said:
I personally think that Knife is in beautiful condition, I get stuck in with a toothbrush and Mineral oil, also Bamboo food skewers to clean in the liners, if there is any red rust I use 0000 grade steel wool as that does not remove patina nor does it leave scratch marks when used carefully.

I just don't think that Knife needs cleaning whatsoever.

What horrifies me is on other platforms -we are seeing the old knives in absolute brand new polished condition and people are coming saying "wow fantastic etc" and while there may be a very small percentage of existing mint ones out there- these people are cleaning them and the first thought I have is "Oh . that's very shiny", where as your Joseph Rodgers looks stunning carrying its patina, I would buy that in a heart beat compared to a polished one sitting next to it.

By the way - what an outstanding Knife!!!
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Well said Duncan.
 
Think you should also show this in the 1830-1930 Sheffield A Golden Age thread. It's very interesting, high quality and it relates to the era.

I favour a restoration approach, I'm not of the rust is a must school ;):) Our worthy friend Primble Primble who frequently takes time off from the Forum, has in my opinion a very good grasp of restoration and enhancement of knives. Why not try sending him a PM it may awaken him from his fishing mania ? ;)🤣
 
very cool knife! i agree with those that say dont remove the patina.

what is the large garlic press tool on the back with a hook?!
 
That is a nice find- I am a huge fan of Rodgers knives!! When cleaning a knife like that I just use some oil, an microfiber cloth. and q tips. If you flatten the q tips with pliers you can get them in the channels where lots of grime hides!! Like said above- the patina looks great and you don’t want to remove it!
 
Gentlemen - very many thanks for all your thoughts, much appreciated.

I received a response from Sheffield Collectable Knives, saying: To Clean the knife, we would suggest using WD40 and a gentle clean on the areas of rust with a little wet and dry.

Not sure I'll be using wet n dry paper. Problem is with these kind of objects - there are parts that are easy to get shiny, but equally parts that aren't - so would rather do a gentle clean and leave with its patina, but in a working state.

My usual plan of attack for such things is soft toothbrush WD40 / Ballistol / squashed Q-tips.
 
Beautiful knife!! I am with Duncan in thinking that no cleaning is necessary. I don't see any red rust, allthough I am a bit color blind.
Are the handles ebony or checkered horn?
 
Congratulations Paul, that's a very nice Horseman's Knife 🙂 Buy yourself a packet of pipe-cleaners 👍
 
Chui said:
Gentlemen - very many thanks for all your thoughts, much appreciated.

I received a response from Sheffield Collectable Knives, saying: To Clean the knife, we would suggest using WD40 and a gentle clean on the areas of rust with a little wet and dry.

Not sure I'll be using wet n dry paper. Problem is with these kind of objects - there are parts that are easy to get shiny, but equally parts that aren't - so would rather do a gentle clean and leave with its patina, but in a working state.

My usual plan of attack for such things is soft toothbrush WD40 / Ballistol / squashed Q-tips.
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I wouldn't be touching that beauty with Wet and Dry :eek:

I remember Charlie saying this and it has always stuck with me: "When you polish a knife, you take away all it's history even down to the original Cutlers finishing".
That really hit home as to be absolutely dead right- so why would you do it? Unless you had a basket case that had been abused and you could resurrect it to be a user.
 
danno50 said:
Beautiful knife!! I am with Duncan in thinking that no cleaning is necessary. I don't see any red rust, allthough I am a bit color blind.
Are the handles ebony or checkered horn?
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The covers are checkered buffalo horn 👍
 
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