Recommendation? Old Dasco Cleaver Help

H

HawkeyeJoe

Joined
Mar 15, 2022
Messages
4
Hi all, completely new to working on knives so hoping to get some insight on this cleaver project I'm working on.

I inherited this Dasco 106-8 from my great grandfather and have decided to try and get it back to a usable condition for my kitchen. As you can see, it has quite a bit of pitting and dings, not really too concerned with that though.

My main question is regarding the steel itself. As I have been sanding and working on this knife, getting closer to a 220 finish, I have noticed that it will scratch really easily. It seems like anything that touches it or that I lay it down on will scratch it. For example, I will set it down on my clean wood sanding block, and when I go to pick it up it will have small scratches from whatever may have been on the block.

From what I can tell with Google, this cleaver dates back to the 50's, possibly 40's. With something this old, do I need to be worried about heat treat and temper of the steel? With scales off and sanded, is there anything I should be doing now to ensure the utility and longevity of this knife?

TIA for any help. Also, cant figure out how to share pictures on this post, sorry. Any tips welcome.

Before Photo
#220 - Right
#220 - Left
 
Last edited:
I hope you are taking before and after photos.
I really like these old blades just worked over with a scotch brite finish. Hope the project turns out to something you are proud to hang on to.
 
Yes, I've taken a few. Can't figure out how to share on this forum though...may new user permission issues?

When I click the 'insert image' icon it just gives me a 'http://' option. Do I need to create a Flickr album or something and share link or is there an easier way?
 
Without a paid membership you need a hosting site like Imgur or Flickr link.
 
3fifty7 said:
Oh man I like what I’m seeing.
What do you have in mind for a handle?
Click to expand...
I had a few turning blanks around that I think would look great. Choice is between these two. I don't know my woods but the smaller one was labeled spalted hackberry, no idea on the darker one, but it was very dense. Neither one is stabilized so I need to look into that. I have seen a method of basically canning the scales in Minwax Wood Hardener, so I might try that.

I'm also planning to give it a light ferric chloride etch, maybe hide some of the pitting a bit. Maybe polishing with steel wool or stone wash after that. No experience with either so I'll just youtube a bit and maybe test on the tang before I decide.
 
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