Knife restoration

[DocD]

Hi new to the forum, but have been reading for awhile (a lot of knowledge here), I retired several years ago and have been having a "Ball" Although I do have some projects that need to be done and one is cleaning out the out building at the home place, (a lot of junk) I was hoping I could get some ideas here. In my cleaning I came across some knifes, as a kid growing up in the 50's & 60's my brothers and my interest was (like many of that time) hunting, fishing, any outdoor stuff, and we purchased knifes, and for some unknown reason these are mostly Schrades, (who knows) well anyway here are some questions I would like to get help with,
1) the fixed blade knifes, should they be oiled? some have a wrapper on the blade, others do not, should the wrapper stay on?

2) some of the sheathes (holsters) are very dry, should they be oiled?

3) some of the medal on the holsters are discolored, (blue) is this from the copper used? and how to remove it?

4) I opened a couple of the snaps on the sheathes (holsters) and the snap just came off the sheath, they didn't rip or anything, just came off because of being dry (I think) can this be fixed? or should I get new holsters?

I will probably have a few more question's later, Thanks for any and all help
Doc

 

[aggiebuilder2003]

Doc,

Welcome to the forum! How dry are the sheaths? If they are just starting to crack a little, you may be able to rub in a good shoe/boot oil like those produced by Red Wing or Outters. I would let the sheaths sit in a hot, sunny window to get good and warm and then work it in. You could also leave them in your vehicle on a sunny day to warm them up.

I have a pair of Red Wing boots that are going on their third year of service by using this process to condition the leather. Pictures will also help with providing advice. Here's how to post pictures

1. Register for an account with a photo hosting service. I use photobucket. www.photobucket.com

2. Upload your pics to their site.

3. Copy the IMG code in its entirety and paste it into your post. It will look something like this:

Hope this helps.

Chuck

 

[Larry303]

G'day Doc and welcome..no longer a lurker eh?....
I will respond to one of your questions as I have had it happen.
The Schrade snaps. I have found particularly on the Buffalo Bill series holster sheaths that the snap comes away from the leather and the bottom is actually just wedged in the top of the snap and it really is an easy fix. You need a 'Stanley' knife blade or something very thin to prise it off as it is usually pretty well wedged <closed> as you would imagine a functioning snap would need to be.
Having got the bottom of the snap off I use a very good glue< metal to leather type> and stick the bottom of the snap onto the leather and hold it in place with a strong plastic clamp until thoroughly dry.....and if not successful and it comes away again you simply repeat...I have repaired about 6 sheaths this way and only one had to be re-stuck....but was successfull second time around...
I have bought a number of Schrade sheaths on Ebay simply because the seller has stated the snap is broken ..and the bottom of the snap is missing.....never is missing of course its simply in the top of the snap and they cant tell its there.....have bought some very cheap Schrade Sheaths this way and in no time they are as good as new...
Hope this helps....
Sheaths, I regard differently to someone "cleaning a blade to mint"..which of course you cant and never should....no buffing ever is justified IMO....a quality cleaning paste <non abrasive> perhaps but NEVER on a collectable folder or fixed blade..clean off the original patina and you clean off up to 75% of its value to me as a collector...
Sheaths are made of leather and deserve to be kept preserved and not dry and brittle where the leather holders etc will simply break with time....IMO it is legitimate to use a quality leather 'cleaner and preserver' combined...I use very sparingly and the results are always well worth it...and you can almost hear your leather sheath thanking you whereas your knife when cleaned is like a dog taking a bath..they NEVER thank you for your efforts and attempt to get dirty again as quick as possible!....I havnt named brands because I'm in the land Downunder and we have the same products as you but with different brand names.......
Trust this helps a tad and these are only my opinions....love to see photos of your knives......dont "destored and restroyed" as Bernard Levine calls it! .Hoo Roo
P.S. If sheaths are brand new and dry I never touch..leave exactly as they are as any preserver will alter its original color which is akin to removing blade patina...new sheaths just have to grin and bear it IMO!..they are never getting used as such anyway........