Broken, Battered, Beat-Up, Bruised But Beautiful Old Knives

[Mumbleypeg]

The top 5/16" of the spring on the KA-BAR made swing guard for LL Bean broke off, looks like it was put away shortly after and stored improperly. I would like to get it fixed. The blade has a good amount of peppering but I'd leave it be.

What are the odds of preserving the bone if it were taken apart by a skilled craftsman? That is my one concern as the bone makes the knife

0221191131_HDR.jpg

Nice knife - looks worth fixing to me. I think the odds are pretty good that one of the skilled knife mechanics here can fix it without damaging the bone. If you read some of their posts in the Knife Repair forum here there are discussions about how to drill out the pins, for exactly that reason.

JMO, I’m not one who possesses those skills myself.

Ken

[Pile Driver]

This is one of my absolute favorites, a Wade & Butcher. Just a great all-around knife. It's a shame the blade isn't in better shape though...

w&b1.JPG
w&b3.JPG
w&b4.JPG
w&b2.JPG

Awesome etch Glenn

[glennbad]

Someone may have not loved this knife, but they did use the heck out of it. They did love their grinder though.

It's a fine whittler pattern by Koeller & Schmitz, just not fine condition.

[BlueGreebs]

Can someone help me identify these knives I'm gonna try to restore them and they were my grandpa's old knives things like the year they were made and brands and just general information would be nice sorry not the best camera quality

[galvanic1882]

I have been fortunate to own some great knives through the years and some of my Utica's are right at the top of the list. I've owned these 3 carved pearl Utica's for a number of years now and always wondered if I would ever see another. Well I found this one on ebay and was very happy to get it. As you can see by the picture of the mint knives what it would have looked like when new, which I think is pretty cool to see. The pearl on the used knife shows wear but no chips or cracks which amazes me. All of the blades are tight and have half stops, they all snap very well.
Mike

[Mumbleypeg]

Some unique workmanship and artistry in that one Mike! It’s a shame someone tried to use it as a pry bar and ruined that blade. Thanks for showing it.

Ken

[cbfd]

Very nice Uticas Mike,amazing the pearl is still good.Here is one that belongs here,I`ve never seen nor heard of one prior to today,I had to have it! Kane Cutlery Co. Kane Pa .Green bone Gunboat,all blades stamped. Bill

[FRJ]

Great old knives, Mike and Bill.

[Open Range-19]

A hard used Robeson. Reported for hazardous duty often over the years. Still had good snap and an edge when I found it a new home.

[garddogg56]

Here's an old Klein I picked up over the weekend for six bucks I'l clean her up and give it to one of the new apprentices

[JonTinkerson]

Hi! On now here but love vintage knives!

This knife is too handsome to be ugly.

No marking.

Any ideas of the history?

Nickle liner wraps around the handle scales.

Carbon steel blade and spring frame.

Snaps open out not shut.

[KnifeSlinger#81]

I have been fortunate to own some great knives through the years and some of my Utica's are right at the top of the list. I've owned these 3 carved pearl Utica's for a number of years now and always wondered if I would ever see another. Well I found this one on ebay and was very happy to get it. As you can see by the picture of the mint knives what it would have looked like when new, which I think is pretty cool to see. The pearl on the used knife shows wear but no chips or cracks which amazes me. All of the blades are tight and have half stops, they all snap very well.
Mike

The trio of minty uticas you have are nothing short of incredible. When I see the contrast between those and the used one it makes me wonder how anybody could have brought themselves to even use such a pretty knife, let alone beat it up. Very interesting to see, thanks for showing.

[JonTinkerson]

On fleabay

This A.W. WADSWORTH & SONS AUSTRIA FOLDING DEER FOOT KNIFE is in prety abused brused and rusted condition.

[galvanic1882]

Great old knives guys!!

Here is a Beaver falls 4 blade that I've had for a very long time. I have often thought about having it repaired but have not been able to bring myself to do it. The lady that sold it to me had all the broken pieces of pearl in a little bag. She had told me she bought it that way. Great snap to all the blades and all are marked.

Mike

[LongBlade]

Nice grab on that knife Mike ... Despite the handle issue I see the beauty in it ... I would be the same as you - I would think about replacing the MOP but in the end I wouldn’t rehandle the backside...

[cbfd]

Nice Beaver Falls,Mike.I live about 13 miles from that Town,but I`ve never found one of their knives! Bill

[treefarmer]

I believe this one belongs in this thread:

What is left of the spay is as flexible as some filet knives. Somebody got their money's worth! It's a '65-'69 stamp. Came from a retired county judges home.
Treefarmer

[woodwalker]

Nice old red bone treefarmer! I see beauty in that one for sure!

[knife7knut]

Picked this one up yesterday after passing on it a couple days ago.Re-thought my decision and decided it needed a home with me.Six blade scout/utility stamped,"Heinr. Boker & Son Baumwerk Solingen Germany Alemania" and a little tree on four of the blades(the awl and corkscrew are not marked).Blades are down a bit and the can opener is broken but the handles(I think they are jigged composition;they give off an odor when rubbed vigorously)are intact and it still has a shield! Cleaned up pretty good and will go into my EDC rotation.Oh yes;the best part was the price:$8.48 including tax. I am going to see if a friend of mine can weld up a piece on the can opener.

[michaelspayth]

Couldn't pass up a New York Knife Co, no matter what condition it's in.

[jerryd6818]

The pen blade has to be pushed closed on this one but handles (much better than my picture) are just gorgeous in person. I'm glad I bought it.

[michaelspayth]

I, personally, love the far from perfect knives. They serve as a reminder to the long history of each knife and, in some ways represent the changes that have occurred over those many years. Not only did they withstand the test of time but they did so despite being up against a world that was constantly changing. I clean and repair the knives to an extent. So far, I've never added anything to any knife (blades, handles, etc..). I do realize that, in alot of cases, such repairs are required in order to prolong the life of the knife and in order to restore it's functionality. Sometimes though, I get just as much joy and pleasure out of a knife that is merely cleaned, maintained, and that showcases it's history.
Anyway...
Here's a few..

[FRJ]

I, personally, love the far from perfect knives.

michaelspayth, this may be your Holley knife. My 1915 catalog "copy" does not indicate size.

[michaelspayth]

[
michaelspayth, this may be your Holley knife. My 1915 catalog "copy" does not indicate size.

Mine is definitely a small one..

[OLDE CUTLER]

I picked up this broken and battered old Utica sleeve board out of a $1 box at the last flea market. Fairly nice handle material with Federal shield. But if you look closely the second blade has been broken off, and the tang ground off flush with the bolster. You can see the brass catchbit alongside the broken tang. Unsure what I will do at this time, either replace broken blade or leave as is.