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Post by Sir Thorfinn on Nov 12, 2021 14:04:20 GMT
So I have this old old knife. Here's a Fleabay link to one so you can see what I'm babbling about.
I got mine at an estate auction about 20 years ago, in a box of hammers for $2.00. The sheath was a rotten mess, so I foolishly pitched it. But the blade was in good shape, verv minor pitting, leather washer handle was tight. I dug it out after its sat in a box with my other knives (collection) and the leather washer grip is a little loose. It's shrunk just enough that the cross wiggles a little.
My question: To rehydrate the leather washers, and potentially swell them enough to get rid of the wiggly cross, how? Can I just dump it in a vat of Neastsfoot for a week?
Thoughts?
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Post by Sir Thorfinn on Nov 12, 2021 15:32:25 GMT
Another thought. Should I use alcohol or something to clean the surface crap/oils off, then slather it with restorative goodness? I'm not doing this to keep it in 'collectible' condition, I just want it better...
And if I completely fail, I'll strip it to the tang and redo the leather washers. Sooo many options....
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Post by Curtis_Louis on Nov 12, 2021 21:21:30 GMT
I filled a mason jar with linsead oil and put my old Ka=Bar (Camilus) in it to soak over a weekend. That took care of the loose guard and also darkened up the leather washers.
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Post by Sir Thorfinn on Nov 13, 2021 0:23:32 GMT
Now there's a thought. Did it dry rock hard, or did it remain leather - like?
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Post by Curtis_Louis on Nov 13, 2021 0:47:05 GMT
It dried about as hard as it was new. It darkened, but the Camillus was dark to begin with (a lot darker than a KaBar). It took the whole weekend though. I kept checking on it, and the first day it seemed like nothing was happening. I soaked it a full two days for it to turn out nice.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2021 1:22:33 GMT
Pecard's antique formula White spirits and beeswax The 225 is a dandy working knife.
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Post by Curtis_Louis on Nov 13, 2021 1:40:50 GMT
That turned out great! Very similar to mine.
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Post by Sir Thorfinn on Nov 13, 2021 14:45:22 GMT
Pecard's antique formula White spirits and beeswax The 225 is a dandy working knife. White Spirits? I mean in my mind that's vodka, tequila etc... Mineral oil and turpentine? What mix? I actually have some pecards on order. I may even get it before the end of the year.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2021 18:29:53 GMT
Pecard's is primarily white spirits and beeswax pecard.com/shop/antique/antique-leather-dressing/I've been working with a 6 oz tub for 15 years or so. Saturate, rub in and let it sit wipe off excess. The mix is a trade secret but those two are the main components.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2021 18:39:21 GMT
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