Nuwbee and question

[Neilos]

Yup. I'm new at the forum and collecting knives, although I've loved them for most of the 76 years I've been around.
So lately I went to a Lumberjack festival and bought a "Pakastain" knife with a stag handle and just love it. So much so that I went to a Gun and Knife show and bought 3 more knives. One made from a file and another with a Damascus blade and a little one (3") just cause I liked it.
Now I'm wondering. When I had bikes and cars that I liked I started modifying things and fixing up things and chromeing things etc. etc.
What does a knife aficionado do???
Does anyone have a list of things they do to a "used or "cheap" knife that they like and just had to buy?
I've looked at making my own knives but that might come at a later date.
What do I do in the mean time?
Besides ware out the snap on the strap by taking them out and looking at them and putting them back in the sheath.
Any thoughts?

 

[Zombie411]

I started buying "Lot Knives" on FleaBay, and other auction sites. Google used knife lot", and you'll be swimming in them.

What I do is sort thru them, and begin repairing them.
It started with sticky actions, and progressed to custom scales, and blade spring replacements.

Right now I have around 50 "beaters" that I rebuilt, and another 100 or so waiting to be looked into.
This taught me how to shop for the knives I really respect, and it also keeps my fat fingers out of collectible knives that should be left as is (1800's-1970's?).

In all I have spent perhaps 60 bucks on these "Lot" knives, and another 100.00 or so in setting up a work station. (small tools, light, jewelers loupe, magnifying lamp, ect...).

I am just under 60yo, and this is a hobby that started a few months ago has become a new business for me. This "hobby" can take you anywhere you want to go.

Enjoy the forum, and if you find a recovery center for knife junkies, I might want the contact info... just in case.

 

[Neilos]

zombie 411
Thanks a lot. I didn't know about the Lot things. Now I have something else to waist my time with on ebay. I went and looked and it may be a good thing though.
I'm going to try to pretty my blades up a little and see what that leads to.
Thanks again.

 

[Zombie411]

You're welcome.

You will find a LOT of very informed people here.
Just ask the correct questions, and you will be good to go.

 

[Neilos]

You're welcome.

You will find a LOT of very informed people here.
Just ask the correct questions, and you will be good to go.

Thanks a lot Zombie411. I just received my first shipment of 3 "old folders" and my wife ask what did you get those for? I told her "to take a-part" and fix. She said Sure. Then I told her that they only cost $5 and that helped a bit. I think if I spend more I'll be in more trouble. But that's okay.
Thanks again for the help.

 

[Uncle Timbo]

Was it a sarcastic sure, or a motherly sure?

Either way, welcome TO YOUR....personal tip of the ice...err...knifeberg.

 

[Neilos]

Good question. Yup. She knows me and put's up with me and my qurky plans and ideas. Then reminds me about finishing them every once in a while.

 

[adamlau]

I would dull them and regrind them down to 10-20 thousands at the edge irrespective of the steel. Then set the edge bevel to 10 degrees and figure out a micro bevel angle at which they would hold an acceptable edge. Reset the edge bevel 5 degrees below that followed by the micro bevel angle determined earlier. Maybe grind in a swedge. Cut back the heel if a sharpening notch/choil does not exist. Roughen the handles with sandpaper for improved purchase. Give them a mirror polish. Stonewash the blades in a can of tumbling media. Or etch them. Lots of neat things you can do.