Restoring Old/Valuable Knives?

Generalist

Generalist

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May 10, 2025
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A question I sometimes wrestle with is whether to send old knives in less than optimal condition for professional restoration. On one hand, any restoration compromises some of the natural history and condition of the knife. Mediocre attempts can alter shape or remove original tooling marks. However, well executed, careful restoration can bring the knife closer to its original "as made" appearance.

I fretted for awhile about whether to have this one restored, but ultimately decided to do so. Im pleased with the results. Leroy Remer performed the work and did a wonderful job.

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If you have any, please share thoughts on whether you prefer to have old, valuable knives restored or not and any before/after photos.
 
Generalist said:
A question I sometimes wrestle with is whether to send old knives in less than optimal condition for professional restoration. On one hand, any restoration compromises some of the natural history and condition of the knife. Mediocre attempts can alter shape or remove original tooling marks. However, well executed, careful restoration can bring the knife closer to its original "as made" appearance.
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That's a question that's hard to answer. I don't mind a little pitting on the blade or other signs of wear and tear, but I'm not real keen on a knife that looks like it's been sitting in the landfill for 50 yeas. The problem is that some people buff and polish a knife too much. I think Leroy did a good job with your knife.

Bert
 
It is a tough call. If it is truly a rare blade or one with historical significance, that is one thing. But, I think we knife nuts sometimes put too much onto the "rare/significance" of things.

In the end, it is your personal property and your decision. If getting it cleaned up professionally (how it is done also is key) like this example and you enjoy it more then by all means do so and move forward with a good looking knife.

There is the sale side of it. Often (just pulling #'s out of air here) a $200 knife is worth that. Spending $100 to restore it likely won't increase the value at all and may put some buyers off. So, from the $$ side of it, cleaning things up may not make sense. But, see above, if it makes the owner happy then do it.

If I am going to use it, I clean it up (or send it out for that) and I use it.
 
I've noticed old Marbles knives that are in really nice shape tend to sell for higher prices.
I'm talking condition that it is highly unlikely to be in unless it has been reconditioned to some degree.
......Or maybe it's buyers preference.
🤔
 
I struggle with this question on all my pre-factory knives. They are not stainless and the becausee eof their age sometimes a little worse for the wear. Thanks for sharing the results of your knife.
 
The pre factory ones in particular have a lot of character from old file marks and grind lines that make me hesitant to restore them.
 
For carbon steel I leave patina alone, but stainless steel just gets scratched and beat up looking , I'd go for rehabilitation ( only new once ) on SS knives because I don't think stainless steel ages very gracefully.
 
Hickory n steel said:
For carbon steel I leave patina alone, but stainless steel just gets scratched and beat up looking , I'd go for rehabilitation ( only new once ) on SS knives because I don't think stainless steel ages very gracefully.
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👍 I agree with you on this
 
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