Sharpen/Carry your nice vintage pockeknives?

[akadave2]

Im starting to accumulate a few nice old Case XX knives, not because of some sort of colletible investment its just what I like. But the question now is, do you keep these very nice knives in as found condition or sharpen and carry them?

 

[Doug Add]

I put them to use, always. But I'm not a collector.

 

[Pipeman]

I buy old used knives so I can bring myself to use them. Probably would use an old mint classic.

Regards

Robin

 

[comoha]

To use them is to appreciate vintage knives on a whole other level than just being visually pleasing.
For instance, the grinds on my vintages Remingtons, their ability to achieve and maintain a scalpel edge, really makes me awestruck of old world craftsmanship and metallurgy.
That an old slipjoint can still be snappy and dependable as the day it was made is a thing of beauty. You can't gain that level of appreciation just leaving them in the safe.

 

[Humppa]

I use to sharpen the vintage knives and put them in general use, always.

These old knives are great. I like to carry them, but just when I not will run into danger of loosing it (in that way, I prefer to carry an other knife that eventually can be replaced).

 

[Blues]

I have to agree with Corey's assessment.

I picked up a fairly expensive old Winchester a few years ago while walking the aisles of the Blade Show with Charlie (Waynorth). The knife was not dead mint but it wasn't far off either. After getting home my curiosity got the better of me and I went down into the shop and put a nice final edge on the two blades. I was so pleased with the acute edge the steel took that I didn't for a moment regret having done so (and haven't regretted it since). Feeling that edge come back to life was an "aha" moment.

I now can appreciate why Goins stated in his "Encyclopedia Of Cutlery Markings" that the old Winchesters and Robesons were considered the best American made knives of their era.

 

[Stich2442]

I use, carry & sharpen, I don't collect, more or less accumulate knives I find at flea markets.

Here is a similar thread you might enjoy reading through, it gives different perspectives
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/984911-Use-or-not-use-mint-vintage-knives

 

[screened porch]

I'd say sharpen and use 'em, and I suspect it makes very little difference to value unless your as-found condition was mint-in-box. If I had any mint-in-box, I'd investigate selling it to a collector and buying several users.

 

[akadave2]

I like the way you guys think! None of the knives that I have or are getting are necessarily Minty in box. Some have never been sharpened but may have a spot or two on the blades.

 

[paulhilborn]

akadave2, this one is going into EDC rotation---just got it off the bay. It's a Case (obviously) 1965-1969 era #6292 with a unique misprint tang stamp. This large Texas jack is one of my all time favorite knives period:thumbup:

http://imageshack.us/scaled/landing/687/pa2201162.jpg[/img

[img]http://imageshack.us/scaled/landing/856/pa2201192.jpg

Paul

 

[brets-ftw]

To use them is to appreciate vintage knives on a whole other level than just being visually pleasing.
For instance, the grinds on my vintages Remingtons, their ability to achieve and maintain a scalpel edge, really makes me awestruck of old world craftsmanship and metallurgy.
That an old slipjoint can still be snappy and dependable as the day it was made is a thing of beauty. You can't gain that level of appreciation just leaving them in the safe.

Couldn't have said it better, have a couple of my Grandpa's WWII folders, some a little worse for wear, others sit in my pocket daily.

 

[supratentorial]

This question has been raised about a half a dozen times in the last couple months and the overwhelming response each time is to use them. My personal preference is to emphasize the importance of preserving old knives. I'll admit that probably 99.9% of the knives sold on eBay can be used without regret, but uncommon knives that are in good condition should be preserved in my opinion. Preserving history is important. If all the old knives are used someday there won't be ANY good examples of old knives. Noone will have seen a good example of the pattern. No one will have seen a crocus or glaze factory finish. No one will know the difference between fakes and the real deal. That will be good news for the fakers... and those trying to unload piles of old knives that they've buffed or sanded. It will be bad for knife collectors, enthusiasts and history buffs.

 

[Doug Add]

Wow, Paul, that is a beautiful 6292!

 

[T. Erdelyi]

Found this UNION KNIFEWORKS Moose Pattern with a broken blade a couple of years ago.

This knife is over 100 years old and I EDC it regularly and sharpen as needed, (which doesn't seem to be very often) if a knife lasted that long, it's meant to be used. You can tell this baby's been carried, it's just made so well it's held up all these years and I suspect it'll last another 100 years more.

This puppy has plenty of walk and talk F&F are fantastic considerin' the age and the fact that the Backsprings and Bolsters are Steel, I paid a few $ for it, maybe $3 or $4, I cleaned it up and reground the broken blade into a box cutter, this puppy holds an unbelievable edge and just feels so right in my hand.

Here's a few pics to share, enjoy.

 

[Doug Add]

Beautiful Ted! I never tire of seeing the wonderful old knives the folks in this forum own.

 

[akadave2]

Great stuff! Beautiful old knives!

 

[festerfromnzed]

Hardly a pocket knife but ive butchered 2 deer with this just on principle..It didnt do a particularly good job for obvious reasons...My oldest knife..circa 1840,s....... FES

 

[silenthunterstudios]

To use them is to appreciate vintage knives on a whole other level than just being visually pleasing.
For instance, the grinds on my vintages Remingtons, their ability to achieve and maintain a scalpel edge, really makes me awestruck of old world craftsmanship and metallurgy.

I really like my old Remingtons. It would be a shame to not carry vintage knives. Clean them up, sharpen them(most just need a couple licks on the razor strap or your jeans leg) and drop it in the pocket. I have an old Remington two blade serpentine jack, an old Remington barlow customization and a Voos/Vess? two blade jack. All three are right up there with my GEC's and Case Bose models.

 

[quattromori]

As I said in another thread, if I ever stumbled into a rare, valuable, particular old vintage knife, in good or very good conditions, I would give it to someone who would preserve it. I agree with Jake that it's good to save a bit of history.
If the knife, no matter its age or conditions, doesn't have a particular value, I would do the same that I do with any knife: use it.

Fausto

 

[Blues]

Since others are sharing images I thought I'd add a couple of the old Winchester (1920 - 1940) I was referring to above: