Dull vs Sharp

[KAW]

Overlooking the obvious that a knife being used as an EDC definitely needs to have a sharp edge...
but many of my antique / vintage knife acquired for display in a collection have dull blades. Now I've been pondering...
do I keep them the way that they are in order to have the blades as close to original as possible or...
should I sharpen them so that they are more functional (after all that is how a knife should be) even though I'd probably never carry them... and the reason I don't use them is I don't want to take the chance in damaging them beyond the condition they are already in. When I first obtained the Schrade Cut Co. seen as my avatar, I used to carry it everywhere because it's sharp as a razor, but as time went on I would become more & more concerned that something might happen to it & would be nearly impossible to replace. So I stopped carrying it. Same goes for a MoP Dwight Devine Ulster cattle knife I would stick in my pocket from time to time. Even though I had only paid $6 for it, it would be irreplaceable were something to happen to the MoP handles or the one of the blades...

Any way... getting a bit off topic... just want to get some opinions on whether or not to sharpen dull blades on old nearly irreplaceable knives that are intended to be collected only... or am I just going off the deep end here?
With thoughts like these rattling around my head... no wonder I've lost all my hair...

[dlr110]

Well Sir for me I only sharpen the blades on knives that I carry. All others in my collection stay as they were when I acquired them.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

I agree, there is no need to sharpen a knife that isn’t carried. You run the risk of scratching the blade and wearing down the cutting surface. How much of the blade is left on an old knife can really affect it’s value, so why do something that will definitely take down what’s left, especially if you aren’t using it. If you intend to sell it some day, you can ask the buyer if they want you to sharpen it before you send it to them, that’s what I do.

[Beavertail]

I only sharpen a knife I carry.
I leave the others like they were.

[treefarmer]

I agree with the above comments. If a blade on an interesting knife is dinged up, I will try and dress it up other than that I have enough trouble keeping the several I use tuned up.
Treefarmer

[rea1eye]

If you do not intend to ever use it keep it as originally presented to you.

Bob

[edge213]

I also see no reason to sharpen a knife that will never be carried.

[zed6309]

Same as others as only sharpen what I carry

[FRJ]

I took a picture of my knives that I have in rotation at this time. Except for the Spyderco, please replace one of them in a month. I know, you probably can't and I probably can't either. They're almost irreplaceable but that doesn't stop me from carrying them. I have some knives that I don't carry or sharpen but by and large as to my collection, I will carry most of them. Why not? I have no fear of loosing them or breaking them.
What are the chances of that?
Almost all of my knives are used. Sharpening them on a stone removes very little edge so I don't find that as a hinderance either. The only problem I have is choosing which ones I will carry.
I really love my old knives and it is a pure pleasure to have one of them in my pocket all sharpened and ready to be used.
I would encourage you and everyone to carry your old used knives.
Collect them to use. Don't save them for thin air.
You'll never be happier than having one you can hold when you want to.
That Schrade Cut. Co. is a perfect example of a little treasure that shouldn't be left behind. And sharpened.

[Montanaman]

Great post, Joe.

[cudgee]

I would not be sharpening a knife i don't use, it would be like having a pair of shoes re-heeled and soled but never wearing them.

[jonbowie]

I seem to be swimming up stream here in agreeing with most of what FRJ says in his great post. Knives are defined as being SHARP. Something with no cutting ability is something else....a spatula? The only exception that seems reasonable to me is if you have a piece that is of significant historical importance, with really sound provenance and true historical relevance (not one of the 27 blades supposedly once touched by Jim Bowie)....maybe the sword George carried at Yorktown; THEN perhaps it is more important to preserve it as such than to view it as an object conceived and produced for a PURPOSE. If you collect things to keep them locked away in a dark vault where they will be "safe", you might as well collect doilies!
If a knife was made to BE a knife, then you should be able to sharpen it. If it is not used it will stay sharp. There is no danger of it wearing away because you are not constantly grinding at the edge. Carry it, don't carry it, at least it IS a knife and it's usable if you want it. If you are worried about what someone else might want in a resale situation, are you a dealer or a collector/user? If the latter, do what makes YOU happy. It's YOUR knife! I like mine shiny and SHARP!
Jon

[Froe]

If the knife is used but headed for storage, I will clean up any ugly edges. Or maybe even out a nick, but that’s about it. If it’s headed to the regular rotation, then a want keen edges.
Froe

[KAW]

Thanks guys for all your opinions... I thought I would be in the vast minority on this one...

I took a picture of my knives that I have in rotation at this time. Except for the Spyderco, please replace one of them in a month. I know, you probably can't and I probably can't either. They're almost irreplaceable but that doesn't stop me from carrying them. I have some knives that I don't carry or sharpen but by and large as to my collection, I will carry most of them. Why not? I have no fear of loosing them or breaking them.
What are the chances of that?

Joe... I'm a bit surprise to read that coming from you as I distinctly remember you breaking one on a fishing trip...

Thread: Woe is me........
While fishing with my friend Adam we found a big snag of netting that had washed up and I was cutting out some lead core rope that Adam wanted and I had a surprising blade failure.
My nice old Schrade fishermans knife broke at the tang...

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=53930&p=596718&hilit=broke#p596718

I seem to be swimming up stream here in agreeing with most of what FRJ says in his great post. Knives are defined as being SHARP. Something with no cutting ability is something else....a spatula? ... If you collect things to keep them locked away in a dark vault where they will be "safe", you might as well collect doilies!
If a knife was made to BE a knife, then you should be able to sharpen it. If it is not used it will stay sharp. There is no danger of it wearing away because you are not constantly grinding at the edge. Carry it, don't carry it, at least it IS a knife and it's usable if you want it. If you are worried about what someone else might want in a resale situation, are you a dealer or a collector/user? If the latter, do what makes YOU happy. It's YOUR knife! I like mine shiny and SHARP!
Jon

Jon... well put... I certainly get this POV as well which is why I've been having this internal debate for some time now.
Just one thing tho... I don't collect knives to keep them locked away in a dark vault where they will be "safe"... they will be displayed again (currently packed up for the big move from NY to VA soon) & I do pull them out quite frequently to "play" with them, but I don't use them... My users are vintage, but common models that can be replaced fairly easily if something should happen to them such as an Old Timer 194OT which I have recently misplaced / lost(?).

[FRJ]

Thank you, Ken.
In the thread that I posted on Oct, 3, 17, you will read that the problem I had with the blade was a failure of the blade itself. It was a failure in manufacturing I assume and not something I did to abuse the blade.
Are you also surprised that I encouraged you to use your nice old knives and to enjoy them, because that was my main point of my response to your thread. I think I have had more than a couple mishaps with knives but that doesn't stop me from handling my lovelys. I'm getting a little older now and I have thought for a while that I want to pack these good bones and pearl for some pleasurable moments. Just offering something for you and others to consider.
Thanks Ken, good packing.

[eveled]

It depends on the knife. If it is dull but never sharpened and part of my collection I leave it.

If it is well used, I usually sharpen and generally tune it up. Knock of any heavy corrosion, sharpen, and lube it up. I try to leave the patina, but want it to be ready to drop into my pocket.

[Mumbleypeg]

Much of this discussion depends upon your definitions of “sharp” and ‘“dull”. If you’re of the opinion it isn’t sharp unless it shaves then yes, many knives are dull. Not believing that a knife has to, or even should shave to be sharp, I have very few knives that are not sharp.

I keep my EDC knives “working sharp” (but not shaving sharp). If it’s going into the collection I don’t worry about it.

Ken.

[KAW]

Thank you, Ken.
In the thread that I posted on Oct, 3, 17, you will read that the problem I had with the blade was a failure of the blade itself. It was a failure in manufacturing I assume and not something I did to abuse the blade.
Are you also surprised that I encouraged you to use your nice old knives and to enjoy them, because that was my main point of my response to your thread. I think I have had more than a couple mishaps with knives but that doesn't stop me from handling my lovelys. I'm getting a little older now and I have thought for a while that I want to pack these good bones and pearl for some pleasurable moments. Just offering something for you and others to consider.
Thanks Ken, good packing.

That was poor phrasing on my part... instead of saying "you breaking one", I should have wrote... "you had one break"... no way was I implying that you were abusing your knife. That said.. did the thought ever cross your mind that if you did not attempt to use it, it would still be part of your collection now? ...but enough of (I sure like getting to use these emojis). I would on occasion carry an antique knife... ie., going out to dinner or to visit with friends (when such activities were allowed... seems so long ago... but I digress)... but I no longer bring them on vacation trips... I think that's how I lost my Old Timer & I almost had my little Schrade Cut. Co. confiscated. What it comes down to I guess is I find greater pleasure in just displaying them... and like I said just carry vintage knives that still can be fairly easily replaced if something unfortunate should happen to it.

...but I'm glad to know you enjoy using your "lovelys"...

[FRJ]

did the thought ever cross your mind that if you did not attempt to use it, it would still be part of your collection now?

Thank you, Ken.
As to your question, no, the thought never occurred to me.
That is a 4 1/2" stainless steel fishing knife that I made sure was in my kit as I was on a fishing vacation.
It just seemed proper to have it with me.
Win some, lose some.

[edgy46]

Only the ones I carry.