Hand Me Downs

[SheilaAnn]

…or the things you find in a hoarders, er, antique collectors home.

That’s me being a little sarcastic. A few last rips to the late in-laws resulted in a few more CI pieces and these knives.

I did not get a before picture of the breaking knife, but here are two:



and here is the breaking knife with the other two after the sharpening and before spa day. The edges are awesome, pic doesn’t do it justice.



Especially note the handles.

Here are after pics. Apres spa day where the handles were gently sanded down and an application of homemade board butter. After “curing” overnight, came a bath to clean off excess residue. Hand dried immediately, of course.

[SheilaAnn]

The knife guy and I decided to leave the entire blade as is….. for character. Melvin offered to clean it completely, but we chose to stay as shown.

[cruiseplanner1]

Nice job on the handles.

[HawkerXP]

Pantina!

[yakima]

Cool knives. The best.

[Brian_M]

The patina is great, and will get even better with use. Enjoy those!

[tenphases]

so glad you didn't clean they look amazing!

[Mosca]

Those look like serious fun. When I use my old stuff, the Griswolds and Wagnerwares and even the old stainless (because that’s 40 years old now), I think of all the dinners and the families that it all served in the past: the weeknight burgers, the Thanksgivings, the Christmases, the breakfasts, maybe a set was a wedding present, maybe it was passed down a couple generations before already, the one Griswold most likely was. I think about how people felt when they used stuff; maybe someone was sick, and they were worried. Or maybe someone was coming to visit with the grandkids, and they were ready to burst with joy and anticipation. Or maybe they just got home from work, and were tired, and slopped a slice of ham in the skillet and opened a can of beans for the sauce pot. But there are lives in that stuff.

[Oak Smoke]

Absolutely beautiful! I look for old knives like those in junk shops and antique malls. The ones I’m most interested in have blades that show their character like those. I’m delighted if I find one like those that says Old Hickory on it. They are good stuff.

[texastweeter]

You can really help the patina cutting hot chicken fat and then lemons/oniins.

[SheilaAnn]

texastweeter never heard of that…..

[texastweeter]

Yes. Wash and dry you knife, then cut up some lemons, being sure to get the juice all over the blade. Let it sit for a few minutes (helps if the knife and or lemons are hot) then cut up some hot chicken fat (cooked thighs or similar) and let sit a bit longer. Wash well dry, and repeat as necessary until you get the look/darkness you want. Good news is, chicken and lemons pair well together!!!

[RonB]

For me, knives that old do look better with the patina intact.

[DTro]

Beautiful find!

[SheilaAnn]

Knife stamps on two. The breaking knife has no stamps.

[Mosca]

AI says,

“Vintage Dixon pieces stamped "France" are highly sought after by collectors and chefs. They typically feature:

Materials: Forged carbon steel blades and wood (often ebony) or vintage composite handles.

Design: Classic 1920s French-style carving and butcher knives, often with flared nickel ferrules.

Maintenance: Because they are carbon steel, these blades require hand-washing and frequent oiling to prevent rust and develop a patina.”

Sweet.

[Mosca]

Gustavo Emil Ern: “ Vintage Originals (Pre-1987): Highly collectible and prized by professional chefs. These feature heavily bolstered blades hand-forged from fine carbon steel or premium molybdenum stainless steel. They are famous for their exceptional balance, taper-ground edges, and ability to hold a razor-sharp edge longer than modern western steel.”

[Mosca]

The GEE knives sell on eBay for more than new Shuns.

[texastweeter]

Man those are SUHWHEET!!!

[texastweeter]

I am legitimately jealous.

[texastweeter]

SheilaAnn Oak Smoke here is a camp knife my dad made for me a few years ago. Can't remember if it was an old leaf spring or a file, but either way I put the patina on it with the above method. Handle scales are from a pecan tree we cut down at the farm. Sheath he had made by his saddler.

[SheilaAnn]

Hello gorgeous!!!

[Oak Smoke]

That’s beautiful! A family heirloom to be passed down.

[58limited]

Beautiful knives!

[SheilaAnn]

A little update…. I got a new magnetic bar to make room…… one big happy family….

[dpearce]

I'm not allowed to have a magnetic bar... I'm so jealous.

[Mosca]

I love using a magnetic strip to hold my knives. It makes me feel much cooler than I actually am.

[FireMan]

Go figger! You have opened a whole new world to me. My wife will hate me and everbody fer contributin.