What do you consider "Cleaning and polishing" and will it diminish a vintage or antique knife

North Shore

North Shore

Joined
Jun 28, 2016
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Would you consider cleaning out a knife without taking it apart with mineral oil and q-tips, and then manually applying flitz to most all surfaces with a cloth or a rag "cleaning and polishing" a knife?
 
North Shore said:
Would you consider cleaning out a knife without taking it apart with mineral oil and q-tips, and then manually applying flitz to most all surfaces with a cloth or a rag "cleaning and polishing" a knife?
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If you remove patina from a knife, I would consider it cleaning and polishing, and it would certainly decrease the value of a knife to me.
 
Many timesI have seen a knife - a very nice old Knife - - go in and look at it and it’s as Shiny as can be- I think to myself “ why” then move on.
Flitz is not good - it shines things up = yuk.
Mineral oil and 0000 grade Steel Wool does not take off patina ( make sure it is actually 0000 grade Steel Wool ) .
 
Thanks for the feedback, I've seen some pictures of old knives on here with some pretty shiny bolsters and such and was curious on people's opinions
 
Campbellclanman said:
Many timesI have seen a knife - a very nice old Knife - - go in and look at it and it’s as Shiny as can be- I think to myself “ why” then move on.
Flitz is not good - it shines things up = yuk.
Mineral oil and 0000 grade Steel Wool does not take off patina ( make sure it is actually 0000 grade Steel Wool ) .
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Nothing more abrasive than 0000. No sandpaper,please!--KV
 
All depends on the knife and the quality of that knife. A rare antique should be left alone, a neglected knife that's looking in a sorry state deserves a clean up-IF you are planning to take it into regular use. No buffers mind...Carrying and using a knife actually burnishes its appearance anyway thus it becomes more attractive.

I often think that were I lucky enough to get my hands on an antique knife that I really liked, one that was in a a state of very little if any use/crypto-mint, then I would carry and use it yes. Others throw up their hands in horror and thunder about 'future posterity' My response to that is unmoved, if you think like that then you should donate the knife to a museum for all to appreciate, in the way art connoisseurs make their pictures available for public gaze.;)
 
On the few antique/vintage knives I own, I've just removed any active red rust, sharpened or stropped the blades (depending on what they needed), lubed the joints, and called it good.
I don't make or keep any of my knives shiny. I am not a fan of fingerprint and smudge magnets.
As the bolsters shine dulls with use, I leave them that way.
On one of my (Taylor) Schrade Old Timer 7OT's I hit the brass bolsters with 220 grit wet or dry to give them a brushed fininsh.
 
Sometimes, depending on the knife as others have said, I'll remove scratches from someone else using sand paper or sharpening rash. Mostly on not rare knives I intend to carry and use. For example I have a 61-71 Queen stockman that had scratches on one side of the sheepsfoot. Sandpaper scratches.I used 1500 grit wet dry emory paper(wet) to remove. The rest of the knife is in excellent condition. For me I just couldn't get past the scuffs, being a stainless blade they was always going to be obvious. A vintage knife with natural earned patina? No way! Love the story on the steel to much! For example:D0811181827~2.jpg
This is as "clean" as it will ever be as long as I have it, 70 years of patina:cool::thumbsup:
 
Cleaning doesn't modify the knife. Q Tips and mineral oil won't hurt anything.

Polishing or refinishing does change the knife materially, and can influence the value of the knife. Some people want bright and shiny, some want untouched surfaces. If you know the preference of the buyer, then proceed accordingly.

Yes, you do see a lot of bright and shiny old knives here. Bear in mind that collectors of pocket knives generally are older folks. More and more collections will hit the market place now and going forward. Knives that were bought new or like new and stored properly will stay in like condition. I've collected for forty years or so, and I've got lots of old knives that look like new. That's nothing special, they're just things I've bought and held on to.
 
I buy a bit of everything, often taking stuff I'm never going to have a use for because it's just too bad to be worth anything. But I learn a lot even from broken, cruddy, knives. That being said, I usually attack with toothbrush, mineral oil, a sonic cleaning on some, and lots of hot water and dish soap. Sometimes steel wool, sometimes a Japanese eraser, sometimes metal polish. I think a good tool should be cared for, and I like to get rid of anything that could cause decay. But I can't see spending time to polish the insides of a pocket knife that's been allowed to rust, if only because to do it right you'd have to take it all apart. I'll polish the silver, it was meant to be. I'll reshape a chipped blade, because if you don't it's not useful. I'll patch a scale, because sometimes that's the only way to save it. I don't trust knives that are buffed, or otherwise "made new" because they're rarely honestly represented. I think everyone has to find their own comfort level, and remember that it's those knives that were used that make the "mint" originals what they are today.
 
If you want to sell it, what you do depends upon the market you want to sell it in. "Kentucky mint" sells real well in some markets, but in other it will lower the value considerably.

Soap, water, Flitz and a little mineral oil will do little to change the basic structure of a knife. The patina will form again. Once you use steel wool or sandpaper, it is changed forever.

Patina is no sign of "original condition." Slick sellers clean and force a patina.

However if it's a knife to use, "don't carry no ugly knife." Some believe a cleaning, oil and polish is just good care and stewardship of a knife you enjoy and use. Do what makes YOU happy :)
 
Elgatodeacero said:
I find a Dremel tool is the quickest way to polish antique knives.
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:eek: :eek: I see so many old knives where a Dremel has been run down the blade, horrifying :( :thumbsup:

NeNf9QO.jpg
 
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