Welcome Home...THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY

iKnife Collector

The online community of knife collectors, A Knife Family Forged in Steel

SHOULD I POLISH BLADES OF OLD KNIVES?

I just polished the blades on an old, cheap Boker knife. I have a polishing wheel that I've used for years to polish brass and copper, so I'm experienced at using the wheel. But, being new to knife collecting, I'm wondering if I'd be making a mistake by polishing blades of better knives. It doesn't remove pits, but it removes all the spots and makes the blades shine.
Will appreciate any advise.

3 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on September 19, 2011 at 16:29

Terrence, I think the whole thing here is having fun. That's why alot of us are into knives...for the fun of it. I might have an old carbon steel fixed blade that was used cleaning fish and gators for years at a fish market in the swamp that probably has a net worth of 2 bucks but to me its priceless. Thats collectability. We need to remember we are all into this knife business for fun.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by terrence ellington on September 20, 2011 at 9:45

I couldn't agree more, Robert, and part of that fun is sharing it with you guys.

Don said:

but sometimes we run into a few GEMS along the way....

Robert Burris said:

Terrence, I think the whole thing here is having fun. That's why alot of us are into knives...for the fun of it. I might have an old carbon steel fixed blade that was used cleaning fish and gators for years at a fish market in the swamp that probably has a net worth of 2 bucks but to me its priceless. Thats collectability. We need to remember we are all into this knife business for fun.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by perry coleman on February 2, 2012 at 23:55

I think there's a lot to be said for an old 1095 carbon steel blade havin a little patina to it. That being said, I have polished and cleaned my share in the last several years though. The ones I cleaned, were cleaned because of display purposes mainly. I had these old counter top displays that needed to have new lookin knives on them. So I bought a lot of these at flea markets and swap meets and found the cards after years of searchin on ebay. Can you say obsession?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by perry coleman on February 2, 2012 at 23:58

Ok, here are the knives I was talkin bout.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on February 3, 2012 at 17:05

That is a sweet display Perry. Good looking and fun!!!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by perry coleman on February 3, 2012 at 17:32

Thanks Jan, it has been alot of fun to collect these. I bet I've spent several hours polishing, cleaning and oiling these older cells. Most of these have really good snap still too!