Newbie Searching for info on family knife; would like to restore

Joined
Jan 12, 2022
Messages
8
Good afternoon all;

My name is Allan, and I live in the Ottawa Ontario Canada area. I have an old knife that I inherited from family, as well as a couple other knives and tools that I want to restore. In order to find out more about it, I would need some info, as well as some ideas about restoration. I've been watching videos, and am a chemist and a woodworker (so i understand chemicals etc), and there are a few issues i have. First of all, can anyone ID the type of knife, or name? Also, with respect to the blade, is the top part a blade, or is it broken (i doubt, but since im new could be). Third, all the videos ive seen, similar types of knives get the handle destroyed and replaced, but i'm wonding if i can save it, and should i? I have no knowledge of value, nor do i want to sell it, but if it may have value, i might not want to go as "all out" in restoring the way I want to. I thank you in advance for any responses, and hope to hear from you soon.
Pommel
Handle
Blade

Allan
 
Cool looking knife. Is there any writing or markings on the blade near the guard (where the blade meets the handle)?

Looks like a bowie-style fighting knife. It doesn't appear broken. The top of the blade looks like what is known as a "false edge". Although it's possible the very tip was broke off at some point and re-shaped, but that's impossible to tell without knowing what it looked like new.

The handle looks good, I don't see any reason to replace it. Looks like a few layers might have been replaced. Maybe apply some leather conditioner.

As for the blade, I would only remove the rust, gently (rust remover, very fine steel wool), no power tools.

As far as value, beyond "family" or sentimental value, which only you can determine, you need to have a Gold (paid) membership to ask for monetary value.
 
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Cool looking knife. Is there any writing or markings on the blade near the guard (where the blade meets the handle)?

Looks like a bowie-style fighting knife. It doesn't appear broken. Although it's possible the very tip was broke off at some point and re-shaped, but that's impossible to tell without knowing what it looked like new.

The handle looks good, I don't see any reason to replace it. Maybe apply some leather conditioner.

As for the blade, I would only remove the rust, gently (rust remover, very fine steel wool), no power tools.

As far as value, beyond "family" or sentimental value, which only you can determine, you need to have a Gold (paid) membership to ask for monetary value.
Hi,
Thx for the response. I havent seen any markings at all. I didnt think it was broken, but since i havent found another pic of one similar, i wasnt sure. When i restore it, i will only be using hand toos, same with sharpening... its just because of the handle i havent done anything yet, since i wonder if i can get it off through the removal of whatever is on the end or not. and as for value, i have no intention of going against the rules... and i didnt figure it would, but since i didnt know nothing, I'd rather jsut have someone say that there is potential value (and im still researching that as well) rather than start to work on something that i figure is sentimental or family value and find out too late.. i know enough about the net to find the info i'd need... just a question of time... and finding out more information on name etc... value isnt my first priority, and i dont want to break rules..

Allan
 
Cool looking knife. Is there any writing or markings on the blade near the guard (where the blade meets the handle)?

Looks like a bowie-style fighting knife. It doesn't appear broken. The top of the blade looks like what is known as a "false edge". Although it's possible the very tip was broke off at some point and re-shaped, but that's impossible to tell without knowing what it looked like new.

The handle looks good, I don't see any reason to replace it. Looks like a few layers might have been replaced. Maybe apply some leather conditioner.

As for the blade, I would only remove the rust, gently (rust remover, very fine steel wool), no power tools.

As far as value, beyond "family" or sentimental value, which only you can determine, you need to have a Gold (paid) membership to ask for monetary value.
There is a deer head on the sheath anyways if that would help (could be standard or be associated with a name

sheath
 
It's German, a variation of the "Original Bowie Knife" patterns that were popular 50's - 70's. Sadly, because of the way they were sold during that time, unless you can find a name on it, you'll never know for sure, but it was probably someone like Linder or Schlieper. The tip looks to be reshaped a tiny bit, but that deep clip is original. A larger knife called an "African Hunter" was popular around the same time, and has a somewhat similar dip/clip.

The knife is totally restorable if you wanted, for the blade it would just be a matter of working through various grit sandpaper through about #1000 grit. The leather disks look in good shape, it would just be a matter of lightly sanding the handle, then resealing. Look up stacked leather handle repair for more ideas. Probably the hardest part of the repair is straightening the guard.

If you need to make a pommel nut wrench, a few quick and decent designs are seen here starting at 3:30 in -

.

Maybe repost here - https://www.bladeforums.com/forums/bernard-levines-knife-collecting-identification.691/ , and ask for a user named Germania, he has a lot of knowledge about the German cutlery industry, he might be able to narrow it down more.
 
It's German, a variation of the "Original Bowie Knife" patterns that were popular 50's - 70's. Sadly, because of the way they were sold during that time, unless you can find a name on it, you'll never know for sure, but it was probably someone like Linder or Schlieper. The tip looks to be reshaped a tiny bit, but that deep clip is original. A larger knife called an "African Hunter" was popular around the same time, and has a somewhat similar dip/clip.

The knife is totally restorable if you wanted, for the blade it would just be a matter of working through various grit sandpaper through about #1000 grit. The leather disks look in good shape, it would just be a matter of lightly sanding the handle, then resealing. Look up stacked leather handle repair for more ideas. Probably the hardest part of the repair is straightening the guard.

If you need to make a pommel nut wrench, a few quick and decent designs are seen here starting at 3:30 in -

.

Maybe repost here - https://www.bladeforums.com/forums/bernard-levines-knife-collecting-identification.691/ , and ask for a user named Germania, he has a lot of knowledge about the German cutlery industry, he might be able to narrow it down more.
Thank you very much, it explains a lot. My father was originally from Germany and he came to Canada in 1955. It was his or his fathers knife. I will definitely look up the different links and names you suggested, and go from there, and I will definitely be making the tool… in my searches it seemed to be a screw like object in the end. I really appreciate it.
 
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