Question about Spa Treatment on older knives.

DeSotoSky

DeSotoSky

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I have never sent a knife in for spa service. Over the years I have accumulated quite a few good older 100 series fixed blade knives with minor blade scratching and minor handle dullness that could use a little help to display nicer. These older knives, 440C, are semi hollow ground and have what I would call a convex edge and the satin blade finish goes almost all the way to the edge. If I send these knives in for a spa treatment are they going to come back with an original appearing edge or with a "V" whipped off on a belt. That type of edge does not look good on these older semi hollow ground blades. My question is about maintaining original appearance on a non user knife, not a discussion about merits of different edge performance. I hope I worded my question well. /Roger
 
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I'll take a picture of the blade that's been through the spa treatment.
 
This is a 1-line 118 that went to the spa earlier this year.
It is a straight bevel though, less like the early convexed edges.
I don't know if they used a paper wheel or ground it before brushing the blade but it looks proper to the period for the most part.
I have an early 440 112 & 110 that went through at the same time. I'll dig those out tomorrow evening and try to take better photos for you.
 
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They will leave the thick convex edge on the blade and give it a satin or close blade finish. There is at least one employee at Buck who's been
trained on these models and does a good job. They don't take away the history. DM
 
David Martin said:
They will leave the thick convex edge on the blade and give it a satin or close blade finish. There is at least one employee at Buck who's been
trained on these models and does a good job. They don't take away the history. DM
Click to expand...

David is correct. I would recommend that you call Randy (Buck warranty department) and discuss exactly what you want. Randy will probably tell you to write everything down on paper and send the knife directly to his attention. Randy told me that Buck still uses the same wheel from the 70s, so the blade's satin finish matches the vintage of the knife. They seem to be very conscientious about not altering the older knives in anyway.
 
Interesting question.

It would seem that collectors and users would want different edges.

On the old 440C, while collectors want an original edge geometry, it seems to me that the Edge 2000 would be an improvement for users and offer easier sharpening (although I think this "difficult sharpening" issue is somewhat exaggerated by many).

Buck is probably reluctant to get into offering special order sharpening anyway.......that could get complicated if it became popular.
 
The Edge will most times be the new better edge technique. The old way is what was causing the hard to sharpen complaints from those days. Randy is no longer with us but our new Techs can help or just call me directly. Our repair tech is well versed is old vs new edges and does an appropriate edge.

Jeff
 
Buck comes through again. Nice job Jeff.
 
J Hubbard said:
The Edge will most times be the new better edge technique. The old way is what was causing the hard to sharpen complaints from those days. Randy is no longer with us but our new Techs can help or just call me directly. Our repair tech is well versed is old vs new edges and does an appropriate edge.

Jeff
Click to expand...
So we can send in a 440C knife for the spa treatment and request either the original edge geometry be retained OR we can ask that a 440C blade be given the EDGE 2000 geometry?
 
I received some knives back about a month ago. I wanted to post pics but the Photobucket thing...
I can email if you wish.
 
Buck_110_2-Dot_after_spa_-_2_.JPG
I sent a two dot 110 to the spa last December - I only specified clean/sharpen on my form. Came back with the improved edge (sharp as a razor) - it's one of my hunting Buck 110's so I think it is improved over the original edge. For a rare collectible I would want it to remain with the original edge profile. OH
 
I talked this over with the repair tech and he does do period correct edges on the older knives. If you do want an an older style edge when you send the knife in for SPA treatments, please be specific on the form.

Thanks,

Jeff
 
Thank you David. By the way, you are the guy who identified the upgraded blade profile on my Buck 110 for me when it came back last winter. That knife is now my main hunting and woods lockback knife - love the profile and the edge the Buck spa provided for me on the knife - best of both worlds for a working knife - 440C and an easy edge profile to maintain. OH
 
Thanks Hunter. Buck first did that on the 3 dots. I have always liked that style hollow grind. It works well for me. DM
 
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