2aHawaii
General Topics => Off Topic => Topic started by: xer 21 on December 04, 2016, 03:51:50 PM
-
My uncle died a year ago and I kept a couple of his old knives that were uncared for for 15 years while he was in long term care. I'd like to restore them. I'll attach pictures later if anyone can pooint me to somone offering this service.
Thanks in advance
-
As you can see, the finish is pretty bad on both and the blades are pretty messed up. Can anyone work on this?
-
Try PM eyeeatingfish, he makes knives.
-
Try PM eyeeatingfish, he makes knives.
thanks
-
Is there any historical value to the knives? If there is, removing the old patina might decrease its worth. Not a knife person so not sure.
Example, see this thread...
http://www.swordforum.com/forums/showthread.php?50777-Sword-restoration-and-patina
-
As you can see, the finish is pretty bad on both and the blades are pretty messed up. Can anyone work on this?
The finish itself doesn't look that bad to me. It is pretty free from rust. It is grayed out some, maybe partially from a patina partially from lots of scratches from use.
I don't know much about the value of old knives, I would have to google the model names the same as anyone else. As pointed out, in real historical items you don't want to restore them as that can take away the value. As I understand it one of the ways sword aficionados determine the value of a sword is the natural wear from time. Refinish them and they lose value.
As far as restoring them, what did you have in mind? The grind lines are a little faded and removing a small surface layer might sharpen up some of the lines and give the metal a new fresh finish. It could be taken all the way to a mirror finish if you really wanted. Problem is that it will be making the knives a small amount thinner. It would also cost you a bit more.
One way of finishing a knife is with an abrasive wheel in a fine grit that will leave fine scratches but all in one direction. This would be an easy way to make the surface look a little more uniform and I could explain it or find a video where you could probably do it yourself if you like. I can also redo the handles although the ka-bar is usually a stacked leather disk type with a threaded end piece. I have never done those before but the process isn't that complicated. It actually looks in good shape from the picture.
I cannot tell from the picture but how is the edge quality. I am not sure what you are interested in doing exactly but honestly, depending on the quality of the knife, all I would probably do is put a fresh new edge grind on it. It won't be the prettiest girl at the party but she will serve you well. :love: Let me know what you have in mind and we can figure out a plan.
-
i dont know about the historical value. i'd have to check. the one on the left with the longer blade is custom work, i think. the other, i'd have to search for the model, if i can find it.
first and foremost is to restore the edges. from there, if i can clean up the surfaces, that would be nice, but if there's any historical, value, i guess i wouldnt. the kabar is pretty much fullt blunted. the other knife is sharper towards theend, but there's small dents in teh edge.
the kabar also has some rus on teh other side on teh surface you cant see in the photo.
how would i find the model? I only knowe the kabar was made in japan.
-
i dont know about the historical value. i'd have to check. the one on the left with the longer blade is custom work, i think. the other, i'd have to search for the model, if i can find it.
first and foremost is to restore the edges. from there, if i can clean up the surfaces, that would be nice, but if there's any historical, value, i guess i wouldnt. the kabar is pretty much fullt blunted. the other knife is sharper towards theend, but there's small dents in teh edge.
the kabar also has some rus on teh other side on teh surface you cant see in the photo.
how would i find the model? I only knowe the kabar was made in japan.
Just a tip...
Clean up the steel and handles before restoring the edge. :geekdanc:
No sense handling a sharp knife if not necessary. :shake: :shake: :shake: :shake: :shake:
-
i dont know about the historical value. i'd have to check. the one on the left with the longer blade is custom work, i think. the other, i'd have to search for the model, if i can find it.
first and foremost is to restore the edges. from there, if i can clean up the surfaces, that would be nice, but if there's any historical, value, i guess i wouldnt. the kabar is pretty much fullt blunted. the other knife is sharper towards theend, but there's small dents in teh edge.
the kabar also has some rus on teh other side on teh surface you cant see in the photo.
how would i find the model? I only knowe the kabar was made in japan.
If there is nothing stamped on the blade it might be difficult to tell where the blade came from. The ka-bar design is copied a lot and it may have even been something that multiple companies made during wartime efforts.
I can put a clean edge on both knives and it probably wouldn't cost too much. Maybe about $10 - 15 per knife depending on how bad the edge is. Cleaning up the surface would be a little bit more. If you didn't want to pay for that I could recommend some techniques you could do yourself with sandpaper and a sanding block. Some people make knives completely by hand with no power tools so it can be done!