What Six Months Of Use Looks Like

mortonm

mortonm

Joined
Jun 15, 2011
Messages
184
I have had this 15 Boys Knife for almost exactly six months now. It is a "Radio Jack"

It is from 2013 but it was essentially brand new when I got it.

I have carried this nearly every day, for me it is the perfect pocket knife. Right size, right blade, right scales, nice and simple. I also really enjoy having the cap lifter for all those random little things that come up.

Here is the before



After, as you can see the patina is pretty strong with some pepper spots but no rust, I just oiled it this morning so it looks a bit greasy and my apologies for the cell phone picture. The ebony scales look the same as they did when i got it, I just toss it into my pocket often with change or keys. I was a little worried about the durability of wood (as I often go for micarta for functionality). However, I did not hesitate after I saw so many knives from 100 years ago made in ebony (some still looking in good condition)

 
Just out of curiosity, what kind of things did you use it for, that it would develop that much of a patina but not need sharpening?
 
jc57 said:
Just out of curiosity, what kind of things did you use it for, that it would develop that much of a patina but not need sharpening?
Click to expand...

I eat a lot of fruit so that's where the patina comes from, or meat if I am out and about or camping or BBQing.

Other than that just random stuff like cardboard and tape, packages etc

If you stop lots you can avoid sharpening
 
Ah yes, food will do it. I have a Case CV knife I have carried for cumulatively more than 6 months, which never develops a patina unless I use it for food.
 
There's some quote about a properly cared for knife being sharpened once and then honed for life. Yinz can googol it if compelled.
 
Good pictures, I think Ebony ages very well.

Haven't used my Red Bone version yet, maybe I should?!

IMG_1132.jpg
 
You should take better care of your knife. A little Neverdull or Simchrome would bring that blade back to near mint condition without all the stains, etc.

Rich
 
Rich S said:
Good pictures, I think Ebony ages very well.

Haven't used my Red Bone version yet, maybe I should?!

IMG_1132.jpg
Click to expand...

Definitely you should! Very great combo!

Rich S said:
You should take better care of your knife. A little Neverdull or Simchrome would bring that blade back to near mint condition without all the stains, etc.
Click to expand...

I do take great care of my knife,I just happen to use it all the time. I also really like the look of the patina, it helps protect the knife day to day from actual rust.

It doesn't make sense for me to polish out every little black spot or imperfection when to me it is a tool first and foremost. I know that some would find what I have done with the knife (use it) an abomination but I really enjoy the way it looks now.
 
Mortonm wrote:
"I know that some would find what I have done with the knife (use it) an abomination but I really enjoy the way it looks now."

Knives are made to be used. Just I like them clean and pretty. I always clean and Neverdull my carbon blades after every use. Also sharpen them after any heavy usage.
Much easier to keep a sharp knife sharp, then to sharpen a dull one.

I have four rules of collecting (Rich's rule, sort of like Gibb's rules):
1. Collect what you like.
2. Like what you collect.
3. Never expect to make money on resale.
4. Enjoy you collection.

You like your blade that way, so enjoy it. It's your knife :)

Rich
 
I don't know anyone who thinks using a knife is an "abomination". Personally, I don't mind spots. Patina is just a natural reaction. I don't like or dislike it. I don't like buffing old blades. Buffed knives resemble their original form in much the same way as a partially melted ice cube. But others do like buffed blades.

6 months of use will look very different for different folks. My knives are sharpened before I drop them in my pocket. I had that exact knife (now sold) and the first thing I did was sharpen it. I've never got a GEC with a factory edge that was close to sharp. And on the curved portions it is not uncommon for the bevel on each side not to even meet in the middle. I also don't typically use a pocket knife for food. I use kitchen knives for food. Soft foods don't really require a particularly sharp knife. They're soft.

So the way pocket knives are used is different for different folks. I don't know of any authority that can say what is wrong or right.

There was a poll about using old knives and almost everyone on the forum thought antique knives should be used without any reservations. I was one of the few exceptions. I think some old knives should be preserved because of their historical value (some old knives can be used). And I don't have any objection to using NEW knives. It would be strange for folks to object to using NEW knives but not old ones.

Enjoy your knife!
 
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supratentorial said:
I don't know anyone who thinks using a knife is an "abomination". Personally, I don't mind spots. Patina is just a natural reaction. I don't like or dislike it. I don't like buffing old blades. Buffed knives resemble their original form in much the same way as a partially melted ice cube. But others do like buffed blades.

6 months of use will look very different for different folks. My knives are sharpened before I drop them in my pocket. I had that exact knife (now sold) and the first thing I did was sharpen it. I've never got a GEC with a factory edge that was close to sharp. And on the curved portions it is not uncommon for the bevel on each side not to even meet in the middle. I also don't typically use a pocket knife for food. I use kitchen knives for food. Soft foods don't really require a particularly sharp knife. They're soft.

So the way pocket knives are used is different for different folks. I don't know of any authority that can say what is wrong or right.

There was a poll about using old knives and almost everyone on the forum thought antique knives should be used without any reservations. I was one of the few exceptions. I think some old knives should be preserved because of their historical value (some old knives can be used). And I don't have any objection to using NEW knives. It would be strange for folks to object to using NEW knives but not old ones.

Enjoy your knife!
Click to expand...

All i meant is that some enjoy collecting knives and keeping them factory fresh, which I can respect as well, its just not my thing. I have no problem with people doing that, actually its a great thing to be able to see knives as they were originally built. Some people really dont like the look of patina (also okay, I get it) by "abomination" I just meant that some would never ever let their knife look like that.

I will also agree on the older knives, some certainly should be attempted to be preserved but if its not that old or not that rare then I see no reason why not to use it. This is just why I dont collect (trust me I would love to, just would rather use my money elsewhere and enjoy all the awesome pictures) so that I can use one or two knives quite often

Jfowler said:
Use your knife however you see fit .
Click to expand...

Agreed!
 
Rich S said:
Mortonm wrote:
"I know that some would find what I have done with the knife (use it) an abomination but I really enjoy the way it looks now."

Knives are made to be used. Just I like them clean and pretty. I always clean and Neverdull my carbon blades after every use. Also sharpen them after any heavy usage.
Much easier to keep a sharp knife sharp, then to sharpen a dull one.

I have four rules of collecting (Rich's rule, sort of like Gibb's rules):
1. Collect what you like.
2. Like what you collect.
3. Never expect to make money on resale.
4. Enjoy you collection.

You like your blade that way, so enjoy it. It's your knife :)

Rich
Click to expand...
Well put!

Cheers!
 
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