What's that smell?

Chambers

Chambers

Joined
Jul 11, 2001
Messages
1,137
I just bought a Szabo design and it was made by Rob Newton.
I pulled it out of the package and while I was admiring it I notticed it stunk.. Literally.. My knife smells funny. Now I've never owned a handmade blade before so I'm thinking maybe it's just the shop smell or something. I've left it out in the open for about a week thinking what ever it is it'll air out I think it's gotten a little fainter but not a whole hell of a lot.
if It helps it appears to have linen micarta scales on the handle much like a TOPS knife, and a standard kydex sheath. so ummm why does my knife smell funny?

P.S. if it helps anyone to identify the smell it seems to me to smell sort of pissy. and yes I'm being serious.
 
"Whiskey bottle, brand new car. Oak tree you're in my way..."

Sorry, a little Skynard flashback... I have two guesses. One is the linen micarta... might have an odor to it if it has been bead blasted??? Or perhaps, some sort of protective coating on the blade, such as a thick grease. My Beckers came with some sort of goo on it when they were shipped. Can't say I remember an odor, but my nose doesn't work so well anyway.

"so take another smoke, have a blow for your nose. One more drink fool will drown you..."

Sorry again, now that song is stuck in my head
Mongo
 
That there Kydex is primarily PVC & if overheated gives off chlorine gas:eek: I'm not saying that that is the problem, but try seperating the knife & sheath for a while to eliminate one or the other.
 
My guess is that it's from its extensive corrosion testing. A lot people don't know it but cat piss is a common knife-testing chemical. ;)
 
Originally posted by Mongo
"Whiskey bottle, brand new car. Oak tree you're in my way..."

"so take another smoke, have a blow for your nose. One more drink fool will drown you..."
Click to expand...


LMAO I thought the same thing and had that song in my head before I even clicked on the thread :D
 
I've noticed an epoxy-like odor from some linen micarta scales. If it is more concentrated on the blade and sweet or oily I would speculate that the maker used a preservative on the blade. Is the odor sweet? Oily? Burnt rubber? Moldy cheese? Your answers might help us sniff out an answer.
 
Honestly here Rev, it smells pissy with hint of auto mechanic I'd say.
That's about how I'd describe it.
 
Ahh!
There you have it.
Blade was tempered in auto mechanic piss.
Ive heard of similar treatment of old Randals.
I think it was urine of red headed step child.

But seriously its probably the mikarta or kydex.
If its fresh its will smell kinda pissy.
 
Have you thought of asking the maker of the knife (Rob Newton) what that stink might be, and if he has cats helping him out in his shop?.:D.
 
Some makers clean there knives with MEK (Methyl Ethyl ....? can't think of what it stands for) Kind of like acetone. Clean and degrease everything real good. You have to use a coolant/lubricant during alot of the machining you do on a folder.
Might be that, or some other type of solvent, although I would have thought the smell would wear off.
 
hi;
Just fyi; MEK is methyl ethyl ketone (similar to acetone which has two methyls (methyl methyl ketone?). For what its worth.

Anthony Lasome
 
Originally posted by Mongo
"Whiskey bottle, brand new car. Oak tree you're in my way..."
"so take another smoke, have a blow for your nose. One more drink fool will drown you..."

Sorry again, now that song is stuck in my head
Mongo
Click to expand...

Wierd, it is on the radio right now...:confused:
 
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