My grandfather gave me this knife in the early '80s. I used it to skin my first deer. It's seen a lot. But is got wear and tear on it. I'd like to polish the fine scratches out of it. Any advice?

It can be re-furbished, but not sure ALL of the scratches out. That’s a cool looking knife. I would use a buffing wheel with GREAT care.

I'd leave it and enjoy every imperfection.

I agree with 6guns. I once replaced the plastic aftermarket grips on my deceased Dad's early Colt Woodsman with "correct" checkered wood panels. Then it was not my Dad's Colt anymore. I put the plastic grips back on it.

It was your granddad's knife. Treasure it.

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
I'd leave it and enjoy every imperfection.

Yup. +! Maintain the "wabi" which gives it character and a history.

yeah, i always think that the knife has earned those scars doing honest work. let it be what it is. that is your history right there. just my two cents.

dozer

quote:

Originally posted by Inusuit:
I agree with 6guns. I once replaced the plastic aftermarket grips on my deceased Dad's early Colt Woodsman with "correct" checkered wood panels. Then it was not my Dad's Colt anymore. I put the plastic grips back on it.

It was your granddad's knife. Treasure it.

Well said.

I agree with the other forum members. It looks good, and those marks are simply character. It's not a display piece or something that's been in a drawer somewhere, unused. If it were me, I might go after it with a bit of Flitz and a soft cotton rag, at most. But honestly, I probably wouldn't even do that.

I'm kind of funny with wear on knives.
If I buy one used I will try to make it look as good as possible.
But, If I put the wear on it, its like a member of the family. It only gets wiped off and sharpened.