Restoring a carbon steel knife

Warthog · Dec 1, 2002

I was at my grandparents for Thanksgiving this year...they discovered my interest in knives and gave me this LL Bean chef's knife, circa early 1970s or so. Turns out my dad actually gave this knife to his parents (my grandparents) because all their kitchen knives sucked

. Well, now it's being given back to me after passing through several generations. Anyone know about these? I doubt it's anything special...just wondering.

http://ecompute.org/Warthog/bean_handle.jpg
http://ecompute.org/Warthog/bean_full.jpg

I highly doubt I will bother to attempt to restore it...it would ruin it's antique value and I might wreck it

. But while I was thinking about this, I wondered how one would go about taking the stains off a carbon steel knife blade and other duties that would go along with restoring this knife. It had a good edge, just needed basic sharpening which I kindly did

. I'm sure the best way to really restore it would be to remove the handle from the steel but I don't know if I can do that...how does an average person put it back together?? Any input is welcome

Warthog

Keith Montgomery · Dec 1, 2002

I wouldn't touch it. It looks great the way it is.

Steven Roos · Dec 1, 2002

Maybe you should leave it like that, but if you want to clean it up, WD40 seems to remove rust off of Carbon V, so I would bet it would work on that.

Warthog · Dec 1, 2002

OH YEAH I definately wasn't going to touch THIS knife...I was curious as to how you would restore a knife like this, if it's even possible. Light grit sandpaper?

Warthog

Warthog · Dec 1, 2002

*bump*

Ebbtide · Dec 1, 2002

Warthog,
If you find out that the knife is collectable (worth big $), you may want to put it up on the shelf.
I kind of doubt it though, the 70's wasn't that long ago...
I got married in '77

BUT it is priceless as a family heirloom. It appears as though your grandparents used and enjoyed it.
I think you should too.
Everytime you carve the Thanksgiving Turkey you will have warm fuzzy feelings.
Maybe make it your special occasion knife.
Your kids will remember you using that knife, and have it (after you are gone) to use too. That, IMHO, is truely priceless. You can't buy memories.

If you want to polish it up check out this post:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=230427

since it isn't a blacktickle knife I'd recommend starting at 800grit.
There may be some pits that won't come out, but that is OK, 'cause it happens.
If you do sand it, it will be much more prone to (orange) rust, and staining. The staining is good, will keep the bad orange stuff away.
So after you sand it, use it, wash and dry it off (without putting it down), maybe give it a little olive oil (EDC cooking) or for long term storage gun oil. That patina will redevelop in time. Or you could rush it and cut up a lime or two and let the blade sit overnight. I prefer the gradual change.

Just some thoughts from an old fart.
If you have any questions (aside from values, of which I have no clue)
feel free to e-mail me.

Warthog · Dec 1, 2002

Ahh cool, thanks a bunch!!

Rauder · Dec 2, 2002

Warthog,

If you want to clean up the blade try some Flitz metal polish and a rag. It is a very mild abbrasive that will polish, not scratch the surface. That's what I use to remove the patina on my carbon knives, then I lightly oil them.

Warthog · Dec 2, 2002

Is that stuff available at any major store? I always seem to have to buy stuff online...it's a PIA because of the $5-7 shipping :-/

Warthog

Raptor · Dec 3, 2002

For what's it's worth....

IMHO If this was mine I'd leave this blade alone. It doesn't appear to be rusty. This nice patina will help to keep rust (and/or stains) from forming as long as you wash with hot water and soap and pat dry immediately after rinsing.

Patinas on carbon knives are cool as far as I'm concerned.

--The Raptor--

misque · Dec 3, 2002

Warthog,
Flitz can be found at any Ace/True Value Hardware store. That's where I got mine and some Simichrome paste too. It's also a great polisher.

BTW,
A couple of months ago, I was cleaning out my Mom's storage shed and found an old dusty box that contained a really thick stock cleaver, a burnisher and a chef's knife that looks almost EXACTLY like the knife you have pictured right down to the patina and forged in bolster, except mine has an 11" blade.

I've gone over this knife with a high power loupe trying to find any identifying mark and have found none. You have given me a starting point in my quest to ID this knife. Thanks!
That is just too cool! Thanks for sharing those pics.

All the best,
Mike U.