Patina and Pitting

M

Meandmy1963

Joined
Oct 8, 2021
Messages
5
So this is my first post here. Unfortunately I can't figure out how to post photos, so that's out unless someone can help me there. Anyways, I found this old fixed blade, looks like a skinner. It's well made with a nicely made hilt and pommel. So I knew it was a decent knife at one point. The problem being the blade is rusted and the makers mark is not legible. I tried many things to get the rust off unsuccessfully. Finally as a last resort I soaked the knife in vinegar overnight. Anyone who knows what that does to a carbon blade, knows what happened. After the soak I was able to scrub off the rust and was left with a Patina and some putting that was likely made from the rust and possibly some of it was from the "forced patina" from the vinegar. My question to you all is should I sand the blade down back to a "shiny" polish? Or should I leave the Patina along with the pitting? I know a Patina is loved by many and I admit it does look great with the knife. By the way, after I was able to get the rust off I can read the makers mark. The knife is an old Jean Case Cut Co with an Amber colored bakelite handle made in the 30s or maybe early 40s (the knife likely has some value to collectors). Cool knife. I like the look of the Patina but I'm not sure about the pitting. I wish I could show everyone what in talking about
 
Just my opinion I’d leave it alone, your going to get debris and moisture in the pits and the patina (and a light coat of oil) will help deter additional rusting.
 
Leave the patina and pits.
The patina will change from uniform gray over time as you use it.

To post pictures without a Basic or higher paid membership, you have to use a hosting site, like Imgur.
There is a stickie thread on page 1 of all the sub forums with details.

Welcome to BF :)
 
I am aware that the Patina will help deter further "red rust" from happening. Plus I do think the Patina looks good. It's an old knife, so I guess it would be a good idea to just finish the restoration by throwing a decent edge on it. Making a sheath (I'm a leather worker). And calling it a day. Aesthetically speaking, the current Patina and Pitting is quite fitting in a knife of this age and will look great with a nicely distressed sheath and the Bakelite handle (don't see that much). It really is a well made knife and I'm quite impressed with the build quality. I just want what's going to be best for the knife over time and not what just looks cool. Although in this case what's best for it may also be the best aesthetic choice as well. I've never really carried a knife with this deep of a Patina with putting like this. Although it def looks very cool, I just wanna be sure it's not going to affect performance. And no I don't mind oiling and taking good care of it one bit. Especially since I've put so much effort and elbow grease into it this far. The sheath is a whole project on its own
 
photos.app.goo.gl

Knife project

6 new items · Album by Jay L
photos.app.goo.gl photos.app.goo.gl
Im not even going to put a bevel on it. I'll probably just start with a 150 grit stone and work up to 6000. Just wanted to get a few more opinion on what I should do with this pitting before I start working on the edge
 
Last edited:
I’m assuming that sanding it down to remove pitting would alter its value to collectors…or no?
 
I don't really know if that will alter the value. Usually something like that would. It all seems to depend. For instance, in the world of vintage watches, polishing is a big no no. Same with coins. On blade... Idk if it matter because if it's done right, you really can't tell. On a watch, it ruins all the lines and hard edges, kind of rounds everything out, which ruins it's original shape. Would that matter as much on a blade? I really don't know. I don't really know the knifes value either. I do know that it is collectable because there are a lot of people who collect kinfolks knives, and this knife is a more rare sub set of those type of collections (as far as I know). Jean Case Cut Co was made by Kinfolks from what I understand. It's just much more rare to see this stamp. Also more rare is the Bakelite handle. All of this info leads me to believe the knife is somewhat valuable and definitely collectable. But I don't think I want to sell this guy, so it's value doesn't really matter much to me, although, I am very curious of it's value. It's hard to even find another one like it to compare to. So I really don't know
 
We can't talk monetary value at your membership level.

"It can only be "original" once."

An over cleaning make look "new" "restoration" is always bad.
You've done what is necessary to preserve what you have. Preservation is always better.

The fact it has been carried, used, and sharpened already, deducts from any "collector value" it may have.

It boils down to "Do you want a user, or a wall hanger?"

Your knife, and call, of course. But if it were mine, I'd go user ... sharpen it up and enjoy it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top