Look what followed me home the other day...

fast14riot

fast14riot

Joined
Oct 27, 2010
Messages
8,721
He's a little rough around the edges, dirty, and had been forgotten about. I took one look at the mottled brown exterior and immediatly saw past the years of unintended abuse. Under that layer upon layer of dirt and grime lies some beautiful color. Just haven't got to it yet. Upon closer inspection I find he may be older than I thought, and years of a sordid past show up in the form of misshapen appendages. None the less he has a strong and straight spine, loads of character, and enough snap to make you bleed. Bringing a crusty, old fella back to a life of pampering takes some work, and each step has to be carefully thought out about how the step before and after will be affected by it. Much research to do, interviews of his past are necesary no matter how painful they may be. What once was a life of crampt quarters traveling to different parking lots every week, setting up and tearing down daily has become a thing of the past.

And here he is...

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This is my most recent flea market find, for only $6.00. I believe it should be a TL-29 pattern but someone decided that the screwdriver blade wasn't needed and ground it away. I don't know anything about this brand, so if you know anything please pass it on.

The scales I believe are walnut, and have some sort of waxy buildup on them, what would be the best way to clean it without damaging the wood? I was thinking windex and an old toothbrush but want to get everyones opinion first. This knife is still in as-found condition, while I have been trying to find info (and time) to clean it up.

I sure am having fun knife hunting, now that the season is here! Can't wait to see what follows me home next week.


-Xander
 
Hi,

Nice find on a TL-29 type. Re-purposing a blade was something the old timers did. And I honestly like the job that was done makes for a rugged Jack! I don't know what to say about the "waxy" scales. Denatured alcohol maybe? Though I might not be too quick to try and remove it myself. I might lean to just a light clean up and lube and then call it good.

Dale
 
I love tl-29's IMO one of the most practical old school patterns out there it should mae a great user.
 
dalee100 said:
Hi,

Nice find on a TL-29 type. Re-purposing a blade was something the old timers did. And I honestly like the job that was done makes for a rugged Jack! I don't know what to say about the "waxy" scales. Denatured alcohol maybe? Though I might not be too quick to try and remove it myself. I might lean to just a light clean up and lube and then call it good.

Dale
Click to expand...

Dale, yeah I have a few knives that were taken to a bench grinder years ago, either to "fix" a broken tip, or seemingly to attempt to sharpen it faster. Sometimes you will just never know what happened in a knifes past.

The waxy buildup on the scales is quite prominent. To the point that you can scrape it off with a finger nail. It also is holding dirt making for the muted color. I don't wish to refinish the scales, just get them to a better condition and better looking.

My typical clean up routine is, CLP and tooth picks or wood coffee stirers down the middle, open and close the blades approx 100,000 times to flush all the crap out and use a copper ingot to rub off any red rust and finally sharpen. Other repairs as necesary.


whetrock said:
I love tl-29's IMO one of the most practical old school patterns out there it should mae a great user.
Click to expand...

This is my second TL-29 and I haven't even gotten to 20 classics in my collection yet. I too like the pattern so far, but do prefer the ones with the bail on the end sometimes as I find I use them on the boat quite frequently. I still would like to find a nicer barlow rather than the plastic handled and stamped sheet steel bolster imperial I got a few weeks ago.



I think this one will get cleaned up to become a part of my edc rotation.


-Xander
 
Hi,

There does appear to be some nice looking grain trying to peek out. I know there is a product for removing old waxy finish build up that furniture restorers use. I just can't remember the name of it right now. Maybe a trip to your local hardware store or bigbox should net you something to use. I guess my biggest fear would be drying the wood out in my attempt to remove the crud.

I did have a Camillus version of the TL-29. It is a brute of a pattern. But it was just a bit too big for me to carry comfortably.

Dale
 
You should have dandy forearm muscles after working that blade 100,000 times!!!
 
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