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Post: A Couple of Restorations (Topic#864053)

Dave_Martell
Master Member KnifeNut!

Loc: Fleetwood, PA - USA
Reg: 11-30-99

11-05-09 11:41.47 - Post#1974403

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These two knives were sent in to be reconditioned back to a serviceable state. The owner's mother left them to her and they had been stored for many years and been taken over by rust. The owners' Mom was Japanese and an avid cook. The usuba may have been purchased in Japan while we're thinking that the deba may have been bought outside of Japan since it's labeled with the word "Japan" indicating an export item. I was told that her Mom & Dad lived in Hawaii for a time following the Korean War so it's entirely possible that the deba was purchased there at that time. If anyone can read kanji or recognize the markings I'd love to be able to pass along the origins of these knives to the owner.

On the resto, I first began by removing the damaged handle from the deba, then I soaked both knives in molasses/water mixture for about 3 days to loosen and remove the rust. My goal in doing it this way was to remove the active rust yet leave in tact the patina which had formed in use. This would leave character on the knife that was put there by the owner's Mom. In keeping with this theme I decided to not sand or buff out and pits or marks and to leave everything but the bevels as I found them. The thinking again would be that these marks were put on the knife through years of cooking meals for the family, they're like little peices of family history. I then hand rubbed off the remaining rust using oil, a rag, and a fingernail.

I was able to leave the usuba handle in place as it's in good condition. I was very happy for this because the buffalo ferrule has a slight hourglass shape to it indicating (again) wear through use - more family history.

The deba received a used (but in good condition) ho handle with buffalo ferrule donated by Stefan from a rehandle job that he had done to one of his knives in the past. Thanks Stefan!

Both knives were challenges to sharpen. Shinogi lines were broke through in spotsand uneven sharpening had been done for many years. The deba was the worst though, it was very bad and needed regrinding of the entire blade road and edge damage and tip repair too. The usuba had edge damage up by the tip causing me to have to make choices in how I repaired it and in the end I chose a slightly uneven blade road to save wear and metal removal. I reshaped the blade road but didn't rgrind it higher like I did on the deba.

I believe in the end that they came out functional serviceable peices of history that the owner can bring back into service making more meals for the family while being able to recall their Mom and what she's done for them over the years. I'm very happy to have been given the chance to work on these knives, this is what I love to do the most.

Dave

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Dave_Martell
Master Member KnifeNut!

Loc: Fleetwood, PA - USA
Reg: 11-30-99

11-05-09 11:44.27 - Post#1974408
In response to Dave_Martell

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chazmtb
Master Member KnifeNut!

Loc: Mouse Town
Reg: 11-14-07

11-05-09 11:46.38 - Post#1974410
In response to Dave_Martell

Thanks for sharing Dave. I am glad the owner was able to revive the past and by being able to use the knives again.

Dave_Martell
Master Member KnifeNut!

Loc: Fleetwood, PA - USA
Reg: 11-30-99

11-05-09 11:47.13 - Post#1974413
In response to Dave_Martell

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Dave_Martell
Master Member KnifeNut!

Loc: Fleetwood, PA - USA
Reg: 11-30-99

11-05-09 11:50.28 - Post#1974417
In response to Dave_Martell

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Here's the closeups of the kanji.

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JBroida
Master Member KnifeNut!
JBroida

Loc: LA
Reg: 11-12-08

11-05-09 12:14.36 - Post#1974439
In response to Dave_Martell

the usuba is masahiro... i cant figure out the deba yet

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Crazy Cutter
Master Member KnifeNut!

Loc: UK London
Reg: 03-06-09

11-05-09 12:19.20 - Post#1974443
In response to Dave_Martell

What a great story and a fantastic restoration job

Thanks for sharing that with us Dave, it sure will be interesting to find out if anyone here knows anymore about these and their makers.

Makes you think doesn't it......

What will all these high end knives we buy look like in 50+ years time.....

Jim

Dave_Martell
Master Member KnifeNut!

Loc: Fleetwood, PA - USA
Reg: 11-30-99

11-05-09 12:54.05 - Post#1974460
In response to JBroida

JBroida Said:

the usuba is masahiro... i cant figure out the deba yet

Cool - thanks!

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apicius9
Master Member KnifeNut!

Loc: Honolulu, HI
Reg: 03-21-05

11-05-09 12:56.04 - Post#1974461
In response to Crazy Cutter

Very nice documentation, Dave. And very comforting - you know how my knives look and that there will be rust removal jobs in the future