Care and Proper Maintenance of Antique Pocket Knives
Posted by SwordsSwords on May 12th 2020
Collecting and preserving antique pocket knives seems to be a passing craze for many people. Pocket knives are an attractive product for many survivalists and history aficionados. Therefore, collecting these blades is considered a rite of passage for every expert on the subject. Historic blades are also a great aesthetic addition to interior décor. This is why many people enthusiastically start their antique blade collection. However, many of these collections never reach completion. There are many whys and wherefores behind this.
The first and foremost reason for abandoned antique knife collections is difficulty in obtaining quality antiques. Knives are one of the most ancient weapons and pocket knives have been the earliest variants in usage. Therefore, there is a lot of history of blades in each civilization or era. The lack of deep knowledge also impacts the value of knife collections. There are also a lot of replicas and knock-offs available in the market which successfully mimic the original product. These products are constructed with cheap materials and fall apart in instants. One must possess a keen eye to spot these gimmicks.
Lastly, many financial difficulties arise in maintaining a proper antique pocket daggers collection. It becomes fairly difficult to keep up with the rising expenses especially if one has invested in subpar products. The roadblocks in procurement and maintenance deteriorate the interest of many enthusiasts. Thus, one needs to understand that a knife collection is extremely different from a stamp or a coin collection. Let us tell you all that you need to know to successfully start your own antique compilation.
The most important thing to note before investing in any knife or display box is the state of your finances. The most epic and ancient knives in the market can be extremely expensive as well as hard to procure. You might have to travel extensively to find great antiquities. The price range of these knives varies according to their type as well as their era. The truly old daggers with certified dating and maintenance certificates are sold for over $7000. Of course, not everyone can spare so much money for a hobby. But there are many other knives with lower price tags and a few compromises on authenticity.
In conclusion, it is up to you whether you wish to be as thorough and meticulous as possible or if you wish to compromise on quality for greater aesthetics. It should also be noted that most knives sold as antiques are not functional and can only be used for display purposes. Therefore, aesthetics matter more than the original materials. For instance, the collectibles from the Civil war are massively popular but many collectors like to display replicas instead of originals due to high prices and scarcity of authentic products.
Now that you have decided on the basics of your collection, you need to prepare yourself for a harder struggle. Knife collecting is not a hobby to be taken lightly. A blade enthusiast is not just a fanatic with great taste, he must also be ready to perform the following functions:
The basics of cleaning and preservation of your pocket knife have already been discussed in-depth in the previous posts of this series. Let’s focus on the specific maintenance requirements of the historic knives. Many of the antiques are presented on the online sites after airbrushing and editing. Thus, the customers can only discern the rust and debris in the joints after purchase. If you don’t have a return guarantee, then your only bet is to cleanse the blade thoroughly. Thorough care is required in rust removal. This is because strong chemicals and rigorous rubbing can damage the blade permanently.
If you are a beginner, then we suggest taking guidance from a professional bladesmith in sharpening and buffing your collectibles. These experts also possess tried and tested gentle chemicals that remove rust without any additional damage to blades, locking mechanism, or the handle. If your blade has a wooden handle, check thoroughly for any rot or termites. If the damage is so extensive that the wood is falling apart, then you need to replace the handle. Don’t worry about the authenticity of the pocket knife. The real value lies in the metal. Again, take the guidance or services of a professional unless you are an expert.
The best way to guard your collection against environmental elements is to keep them in an enclosed box or display case. Heat and moisture are two of the biggest enemies for metal and wood. Eliminate all modes of contamination and make sure the blades get plenty of sunlight to kill any termites or bugs.
Don’t spend money on a collectible if you are not sure that your purchased blade is completely authentic. For blade novices, there are few main tips to determine the legitimacy of a blade as well as counterfeit pocket knives. You just have to keep the following points in mind.
Value of Antique Collectibles
The most important thing to note before investing in any knife or display box is the state of your finances. The most epic and ancient knives in the market can be extremely expensive as well as hard to procure. You might have to travel extensively to find great antiquities. The price range of these knives varies according to their type as well as their era. The truly old daggers with certified dating and maintenance certificates are sold for over $7000. Of course, not everyone can spare so much money for a hobby. But there are many other knives with lower price tags and a few compromises on authenticity.
In conclusion, it is up to you whether you wish to be as thorough and meticulous as possible or if you wish to compromise on quality for greater aesthetics. It should also be noted that most knives sold as antiques are not functional and can only be used for display purposes. Therefore, aesthetics matter more than the original materials. For instance, the collectibles from the Civil war are massively popular but many collectors like to display replicas instead of originals due to high prices and scarcity of authentic products.
Important Steps for the Collectors
Now that you have decided on the basics of your collection, you need to prepare yourself for a harder struggle. Knife collecting is not a hobby to be taken lightly. A blade enthusiast is not just a fanatic with great taste, he must also be ready to perform the following functions:
- Locating the best products and critically analyzing their quality
- Evaluation of blade value against other options and assessing financials
- Making a decent deal with the seller or maintaining an online bid for the desired product
- Safe shipping and transport of the knife without any damage
- Organization of acquired products in attractive, weather-proof display boxes
- Categorization of blades according to various qualities
- Maintaining a complete index of all knives, their properties, eras, construction materials, and maintenance requirements
- Moisture-free and heatproof storage of the antique knives and their regular maintenance
- Displaying knives around the house with an artistic flair and the element of safety in consideration
- Being a helpful guide to other aspiring collectors to enrich the community
Clean Your Antique Pocket Knives
The basics of cleaning and preservation of your pocket knife have already been discussed in-depth in the previous posts of this series. Let’s focus on the specific maintenance requirements of the historic knives. Many of the antiques are presented on the online sites after airbrushing and editing. Thus, the customers can only discern the rust and debris in the joints after purchase. If you don’t have a return guarantee, then your only bet is to cleanse the blade thoroughly. Thorough care is required in rust removal. This is because strong chemicals and rigorous rubbing can damage the blade permanently.
If you are a beginner, then we suggest taking guidance from a professional bladesmith in sharpening and buffing your collectibles. These experts also possess tried and tested gentle chemicals that remove rust without any additional damage to blades, locking mechanism, or the handle. If your blade has a wooden handle, check thoroughly for any rot or termites. If the damage is so extensive that the wood is falling apart, then you need to replace the handle. Don’t worry about the authenticity of the pocket knife. The real value lies in the metal. Again, take the guidance or services of a professional unless you are an expert.
Protect your Pocket Knife from Damage
The best way to guard your collection against environmental elements is to keep them in an enclosed box or display case. Heat and moisture are two of the biggest enemies for metal and wood. Eliminate all modes of contamination and make sure the blades get plenty of sunlight to kill any termites or bugs.
Spot a Fake Antique Knife
Don’t spend money on a collectible if you are not sure that your purchased blade is completely authentic. For blade novices, there are few main tips to determine the legitimacy of a blade as well as counterfeit pocket knives. You just have to keep the following points in mind.
- Repaired knives usually have a reshaped blade. Do your research before buying the desired knife.
- A replaced blade or a newer blade pin must be a deal-breaker. This signifies the poor condition of the knife as well as years of misuse.
- A replaced handle or handle pin is more acceptable only if the handle is wooden. The value of the knife is in the metal and it should not be compromised.
- Altered or counterfeit knives are usually not included in an official price guide.
- Discounts and prices too good to be true, are usually scams.
- Disreputable and unverified vendors are bad sources for authentic knives. They try to price-gouge by adding fables and stories to their subpar products.
- Lack of proper workmanship is a sign of a counterfeit knife.