"Old Knives"

Thank you, guys. Hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving!! ...and avoids the "turkeys" on eBay. ;) Anyone using an old carving set today? Now would be a great time to show off those old carving sets!
 
Quote supratentorial: "Maybe this thread should be retitled "Old reworked parts knives and counterfeits" "
Just to be clear i am not implying that this huge thread is chock full of fakes. After many years of reading almost every thread in the BRL forum i realize that fakes, re-works, are a significant part of knife collecting. And, 'knife mechanics' have been re-working knives for well over 50 years and these old ones have had time to develop some honest signs of aging.
I do not mind the presence of fakes because it makes knife collecting more intriguing and demands a higher level of scrutiny and knowledge of collectors.
If every knife was exactly what the stampings say, our hobby would not be as interesting.
kj
 
supratentorial said:
Thank you, guys. Hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving!! ...and avoids the "turkeys" on eBay. ;) Anyone using an old carving set today? Now would be a great time to show off those old carving sets!
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Jake Sir

Check out Charlie's " generosity " thread. We have plenty in there my friend.
 
paulhilborn said:
Joe, I just jumped back into this thread after seeing Augies and Duncan's Electrics. The one Duncan posted he purchased from me (original condition) and the one I requoted from an earlier post had been polished. I believe I gifted to Duncan? Help my failing memory here Duncan? or I either sold it or gifted to someone else:o:confused:

If memory serves...I felt the blades to be original finish but was difficult for me to believe as it is hard to fathom them existing that way for so long? It did not have the tell tale signs of being buffed as many I've seen in the past. No indication of any pitting at all. If Duncan has it still I'd like his take on it once he finds time to look?

I've heard of the man you described in your post and feel certain I've seen his knives on the big site...your right in that he describes them as 're-purposed.
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Paul my friend.........
From memory as this goes back three years or more my friend....

I bought the one I have shown and you kept the other after that deal. Your one may have been polished but I am tnot too sure.
But I have only purchased the one off you matey. :)u
 
Thank you, Duncan. I'll have a look.

KJ, There are definitely fakes, reworks, Kentucky minted, etc on eBay, in collections and even in this thread. I agree that they have a large and growing presence. Although you may enjoy the challenge, I don't think that you'd deny that it has also done serious damage to the hobby. The fakers aren't selling knives, they're selling lies. Otherwise, they'd clearly mark the knives. The complaisant knife collecting community is also responsible for this damage. There's been some open discussion recently and I think it's good. The future of knife collecting will depend on the what is passed down to new collectors. And eventually (hopefully a long time from now), our knives will become their knives.
Regarding, the age of fakes...As BRL says, condition is only a sign of condition. But I do appreciate that it is another obstacle.
 
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Jake, i have only ever collected knives but i bet that fakes abound in nearly all areas of collecting like art, tapestries, old pottery, indigenous artifacts, etc. I actually don't see that fakes have 'damaged' knife collecting. They serve as the prod to make serious collectors learn as much as they can and to use vintage catalogs and knives already in possesion to compare with possible purchases. The end result is that we become more knowledgeable about knives.
If every knife was exactly what the stampings say i think complacency would set in and interest actually dimish because the more you study something, the more attached you become.
kj
 
Thank you, Augie. I enjoyed the photos of your Electric Cut Co.

KJ,

I don't think the fakers need any help coming up with excuses. :p I'm not sure that I agree. So... by the same logic other types of fraud aren't damaging since they prod people to become more knowledgeable... and maybe violent crimes aren't damaging since they prod people to become more physically prepared. :eek: It's important to never stop learning but I don't need the never ending flood of fakes, reworks, and Kentucky mint knives to sort through while looking for legitimate old knives.

I think it's unfortunate that the fakers don't take better pride in their work and mark the knives. They could have a legitimate business fixing up old knives instead of selling lies. The marks of skilled "mechanics" could become a sign of a quality repair. But it's really not a matter of repairing old knives. It's about cheating people and getting money.
 
Ballenxj said:
THIS, gentlemen is a GREAT idea! Thanks for posting this guys. :cool:
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I agree,I had always used toothpicks,or ice cream sticks,but they
tend to break easily.......I have some bamboo from the neighbors yard,i'll give
it a try........May not be the same type,but will find out i guess....
Thanks for the great tips as always friends,JD
 
supratentorial said:
Thank you, Augie. I enjoyed the photos of your Electric Cut Co.

I think it's unfortunate that the fakers don't take better pride in their work and mark the knives. They could have a legitimate business fixing up old knives instead of selling lies. The marks of skilled "mechanics" could become a sign of a quality repair. But it's really not a matter of repairing old knives. It's about cheating people and getting money.
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Very well stated......If I could repair a knife to look like the original it was at one time,I'd gladly
mark them and tell people what I had done to said knife....It's honest,It's also a talent that is needed...
But it isn't Honest to repair and sell as original.......And anyone who would ever knowingly sell said knife is just
as dis-honest as the one repaired it....JD
 
jdracing said:
I agree,I had always used toothpicks,or ice cream sticks,but they
tend to break easily.......I have some bamboo from the neighbors yard,i'll give
it a try........May not be the same type,but will find out i guess....
Thanks for the great tips as always friends,JD
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Hey JD, you should be able to buy a package of meat scewers at the grocery store, about 100 for a couple of bucks.


Best regards

Robin
 
Old 20s Schrade Cut Co Walden NY that I recovered in ivory piano key veneer. It was a 15 minute replacement that looked good enough for my pocket so I left them on. Later on I guess I'll make a better fitting set

kIfo8hv.jpg
 
supratentorial said:
Here's a photo. The previous image was a scan. I like scans since they can show more detail but they're definitely not as attractive as a regular photo.

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Jake - I cant quite see the scans or photo clear enough, I think what is best that you send that knife to me so I can look over it for some time.
This may take a while.
 
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