Restoring an Old Knife
Contributors to this thread:General Topic
From: stagetek
09-Apr-20
I found my Dads old Western knife he used for many years hunting and fishing. Is there anyway this can be restored ?
From: Bake
09-Apr-20
That's really cool, and a big reason I switched from the replaceable blade plastic knives.
I wish I knew how to help you. Good luck with the project!
From: JusPassin
09-Apr-20
Post this over on the leatherwall. You will find someone there.
From: 11Bravo
09-Apr-20
Contact Knifeguy in the classified section (recurves)
From: Grey Ghost
09-Apr-20
Flitz polish will clean the blade, guard, and butt right up. If that's a leather stacked handle, that's a little trickier. Perhaps some light sanding, then leather conditioner. Or re-stack the handle, but that's pretty involved.
Matt
From: Rob in VT
09-Apr-20
If that’s rust on the blade, I have used a wire wheel to remove the rust. The polish and sharpen.
From: Huntcell
09-Apr-20
From: hawkeye in PA
10-Apr-20
I just restored a old Marbles knife that was in pretty bad shape. Used wet and dry sandpaper all the way up to 1500 grit. Used a backer behind the sandpaper a small piece of wood then a thick piece of leather. took a lot of elbow grease. Then used Fritz polish. On the leather stacked grip I saturated it with neats foot oil several times.
From: Buck Watcher
10-Apr-20
This is my first hunting knife - 1976. I have Flitzed mine a few times. Your Dad's looks older, no leather on mine. It says - Western USA 628 - on the blade. Thanks for the smile.
From: stagetek
10-Apr-20
The numbers on mine are 126. There are more on the other side, but I can't make them out.
From: RJ Hunt
14-Apr-20
I would keep away from power tools unless you really know what you are doing. A knife flying off a wheel at high speed has killed makers. That said I would start with some simple sanding by hand. Use a block, go one direction til clean. Go up a grit go different direction till all the other grit marks gone. Up to satin finish around 1000-1500 grit. On the leather sand down a little with 220 or so see how bad shape is in and go from there. Just go slow and take time and proceed with care. Is dads knife, important item in my opinion. I make knives and am willing to help. PM me if have questions.
From: Stoneman
14-Apr-20
My brother gave me this Western when I was 9 or 10. Skinned a lot of muskrats and rabbits before it graduated to deer and elk. Sharpened so many times the blade is getting worn.
From: stagetek
15-Apr-20
Stoneman, I'd be very happy to get mine to look like that. Just sent mine to knifeguy. I'll post pic's when it comes back.
From: deserthunter
17-Apr-20
I am in the minority here. I wouldn't touch it. I have my grandfathers knife and left it in the condition that he left it. Every mark is a piece of his road map and memories.
From: Grey Ghost
17-Apr-20
Here's my Father's old Buck Pathfinder. He liked to sharpen knives. ;-)
Matt
From: Paul@thefort
17-Apr-20
You guys know how to tug on the old heart strings. Dad's Old Timer Schrade knife. Below, Buck knife very similar to Matt's. my best, Paul
From: RJ Hunt
17-Apr-20
Ok. I will have to throw in my best blade. An old Kabar folder my Grandpa gave me 35 years ago. I can’t touch it either. Yes. Tugging on heart strings here.
