Would you carry a GREAT antique if it has been sharpend???

[Samael]

You think? I doubt that the normal tasks I'd do with such a special knife would be harder on the edge than that sharpening. I'll let you know in forty years or so.

That's what I tell the people who give me grief. They're not only going to outlive me; with proper care and feeding, they'll outlive my grandchildren.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

Yep, I'd carry and sharpen an antique. I have an old Case jack, Boker stockman and another old jack knife whose name escapes me now, that I have carried, and sharpened. I have a few later model Kutmasters that have been sharpened and carried. Of course, they weren't that expensive, and I just felt like carrying them.

 

[kamagong]

How would you feel if you were fascinated by the knife manufacturing methods of the past, but never had a chance to examine a true crocus polish? The old finishes are fragile as spun sugar and moonbeams, and there are fewer intact examples every year due to carelessness and abuse. It won't be long until the only remaining examples are locked away in museums, and the knife collectors of the future will never get the chance to handle, let alone own, one of those beautiful old pocketknives firsthand unless we preserve them now.

I fixed it for you. Rick obviously favors the collecting viewpoint, but not all knife lovers share his priorities. Some people want to experience what it is like to actually carry and use one of these fine antiques, especially since as so many here like to point out, they don't make 'em like that anymore. Does it make much sense to use a mint antique? Probably not, but then again most people would think knife lovers don't have much sense in the first place for spending so much money on a simple tool.

As Elliott has pointed out, this is an old argument and one that will never be resolved. Some people want to collect old knives, some want to use them. Both camps make good points, but neither can claim sole rights to these vintage treasures. It's a bit of a moot point though, as my experience has shown that those most willing to shell out the cash for mint antiques tend to share the collector mentality.

- Christian

 

[on_the_edge]

I would have no problem carrying, using, or sharpening a beautiful, pristine antique knife.

However, that said, I actually generally place more value on a knife that has been used (and is still in great shape) than one that has never been used. I would rather have and use a knife with "some stories to tell" so to speak versus a knife that sat unused, but very well cared for, in a display case for the last 100 years. It has nothing to do with the value of a knife or its potential for lost value if used. Rather, I just think used knives have more character and are therefore generally more desirable (at least by me ).

 

[Rick]

I fixed it for you. Rick obviously favors the collecting viewpoint, but not all knife lovers share his priorities. Some people want to experience what it is like to actually carry and use one of these fine antiques, especially since as so many here like to point out, they don't make 'em like that anymore. Does it make much sense to use a mint antique? Probably not, but then again most people would think knife lovers don't have much sense in the first place for spending so much money on a simple tool.

As Elliott has pointed out, this is an old argument and one that will never be resolved. Some people want to collect old knives, some want to use them. Both camps make good points, but neither can claim sole rights to these vintage treasures. It's a bit of a moot point though, as my experience has shown that those most willing to shell out the cash for mint antiques tend to share the collector mentality.

- Christian

But, as I said, there are literally tens of thousands of fine old 'user grade' knives out there that still walk, talk and cut as well as they did when their original owners carried them. On the other hand, old knives that have managed to make it this far with most of their fragile original finish still intact are no longer mere utilitarian tools to be squandered carelessly when so many perfectly viable alternatives are readily available.

I guess I just have a hard time wrapping my mind around the difficultly many people seem to have with the concept of preservation when it comes to rare antiques. It reminds me of something I read in a book on Japanese swords about a collector's account of a clueless serviceman who routinely used what had once been an extremely valuable and important five hundred year old Katana brought home after WWII as a souvenir to clear the brush in his yard. It was eventually trashed beyond repair in the process. What a tragic waste.

Unlike a Japanese sword that can be correctly re-polished (for hundreds of dollars an inch) if its "heart" is still intact, much of the beauty and value of a minty antique pocketknife lies in its original finish. Once that fragile attribute is compromised the knife is reduced to exactly what its shortsighted owner intended: a mere utilitarian tool. Again - what a waste.

I would rather have and use a knife with "some stories to tell" so to speak versus a knife that sat unused, but very well cared for, in a display case for the last 100 years.

What about the "stories" told by the work of skilled cutlers, now long dead, who sweated over huge walrus hide and rouge-covered wooden wheels (the surfaces of which had to be painstakingly renewed every day) as they created black polish and blue glaze finishes the like of which have never been duplicated?

 

[on_the_edge]

What about the "stories" told by the work of skilled cutlers, now long dead, who sweated over huge walrus hide and rouge-covered wooden wheels (the surfaces of which had to be painstakingly renewed every day) as they created black polish and blue glaze finishes the like of which have never been duplicated?

Rick, I do fully understand and appreciate that "something" could be lost in using a knife. My point was simply that for me, as the rightful owner of the knife, I may gain more from using the knife than I lose by using it. I also understand that my gain or enjoyment will not be experienced by others when I use a knife. I'm ok with that though. I hope others can be as well.

 

[kamagong]

But, as I said, there are literally tens of thousands of fine old 'user grade' knives out there that still walk, talk and cut as well as they did when their original owners carried them. On the other hand, old knives that have managed to make it this far with most of their fragile original finish still intact are no longer mere utilitarian tools to be squandered carelessly when so many perfectly viable alternatives are readily available.

What if someone wants to use the most beautiful example he can find? Is he so wrong? These knives transcend mere tools, often times they are treasured possessions, and I can't hold it against a man if he wants to utilize one of these antiques. It is his knife after all. And let's be real, whether a knife is owned by a collector or a user, that particular example is enjoyed by a single person at any given time. Chances are that knife will outlast either man. The difference is that the collector will leave behind a mint specimen for the next collector who comes along, while the user will leave behind a nice heirloom or a very lucky find for garage sale hunter.

- Christian

 

[gruntmedik]

I don't know if I could truly answer the question without actually having an example in my hands. I don't have any safe queens, be they knives or other arms, so I don't really know. It would seem that to properly honor the knife, and maker, it should be used as intended. That being said, if I had a pristine example of an antique, I'm not sure.

The chance of me actually owning one is very slim, so I tend to not give it too much thought.

 

[Sparljo]

Im in the do camp here.... I just get more enjoyment out of them this way.

If I didn't, eventually they would pass through someone that will. May as well be me.

Im making all those pristine vintage knives that dont get used worth more at the same time too!

 

[thejamppa]

I'd probably carry a knife that Lincoln had during his assassination (legend says Mother of Pearl handled congress) and use that. So my answer is: If I love the knife then definate yes!