I found A Possible Treasure

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sonofodin

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I was recently given this Blade by my grandfather, who brought it back from Mexico many moons ago. On the blade, both sides, it has a floral design and a Spanish inscription, which appears to read; "No Me Mires Por Que, Me Sucnas(e instead of c, maybe)". I don't speak a lick of Spanish nor have any idea what its made of. It appears to have a leather stacked handle with metal washers in between the leather washers. All I CAN comment about it is that this is my second day with Diamond Credit cards trying to hone an edge on it, so it seems to be extremely hard. Grandfather mentioned something about a truck spring...Any info would be appreciated. :)
 

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If it's real dull I'd hate to use a credit card sized stone - what a pain! :) I'd hit it on the grinder and then the Spyderco shapener diamond sticks and go from there.

It's pretty cool - I have no idea if it's worth much but from how you got it I'm sure it's worth a lot already! :D
 
True Valkman, but I think it's made out of a truck spring. Now that I think about it, my cousin up the street has a grinder, but alot of times those grinders can ruin it instead of fix it...Yes, using the little cards SUCKS but its a project in the works.

Edit : Gots no spyderco sharpener, only EZ lap diamond cards and Arkansas stones. *note to self, purchase spyderco sharpener when employment is obtained*. As a matter of fact, besides some fresh jeans, I think that will be #2 on the list of "gotta haves".
 
All the "truck spring" thing means is it's carbon steel. How hard it is depends on the heat treat and tempering, and how most people do it would put it in the 58-60 Rockwell hardness range. Harder than that and the edge will chip too easily and the knife will snap too easily. Of course if you temper it until it's blue it'll be very springy but won't hold an edge! :)

If you use a grinder be very careful - I can run mine as slow as I need it to but most home grinders run very fast. If a spot discolors then the heat treat is ruined and can't really be redone unless the handle material can be removed. I didn't mean to recommend a grinder to you and sorry if it sounded that way. It takes practice.

The diamond sticks don't come with the Spyderco sharpener and they were chapest at New Graham Knives on the web. :)
 
No sweat valkman, I just gotta keep working at it. I think it will be a wicked knife for deer season, IF it holds an edge. I'll probably get an edge put on it, hone it up reeeeaaaal sharp and cut some wood with it, cardboard, see how long it holds the edge before I need to touch it up. Grandpa dubbed it the "Gringo Sticker". :D
 
Oh yea, if it's carbon steel it should take a wicked edge. I can get the carbon steel knives I make much sharper than the stainless ones. That may just show I'm not that great at sharpening but I think carbon steel is great if you don't mind a nice patina on the knife, and I think it looks great as it ages.
 
Thanks for the translation, Spectre. For today, I'm tired of mindlessly sharpening lol. I think it will be done within a month :what:
 
I made that inference....Dont worry, as soon as I get this knife up to serviceable readiness, I'll use it.
 
Would an old knife be hardened to RC 58-60? Wouldn't the blade be much softer so it would have been easier to sharpen?
 
Good point CWL, I wouldn't have the slightest clue, though, you would think a cowboy or vaquero on the move would need a knife thats a little easier to sharpen after opening beans, cuttin the heads off snakes and makin steaks out of critters...
 
There's no way of knowing how much it was tempered unless you do a Rockwell hardness test. Too soft and it won't hold an edge, too hard and it's brittle.

But it shouldn't be that hard to sharpen with the right stone - I think it's just because of what you're using that it's so difficult. If you don't mind mailing it I'll sharpen it for free - would cost about $4.60 each way for Priority Mail. :)
 
Valkman,

Very gracious of you to offer to sharpen it for him.


Gorgoroth,

You’re on a budget. So, if you decide not to send it to Valkman, here is an idea for doing the job faster: Get some 220 grit sandpaper, and mat it to a flat surface. When the paper wears out just replace it. I have a Sharpmaker, and have used this method to re-profile the edge of a few knives when the diamond rods weren’t working fast enough. I used ¼” dowel rods and strapped them to my Sharpmaker rods so I could maintain the angle. However, a 2X4 would work, or even a piece of glass.
 
Might have to take you up on that offer, Valkman. IF I had a job and Benjamin's to pay for the shipping :D. I really do appreciate your offer however. I gots about $10 left to my name. Think that will cover it? If so, drop me a message with your shipping address and a telephone number/time that its good to reach you, just to say Hi :D.
 
More than gracious, the offer to sharpen it is to protect the owner and the treasured knife from the grinder.

Someone without experience with a grinder should never try to sharpen a knife on one. Ever! Not only is it terribly dangerous should (when) the blade get snatched from your grip and thrown who knows where, it is also the quickest way to destroy your treasure. Stay away from the whirling wheel of doom!:evil:

A belt grinder on a very slow setting with a well worn belt is safer, but hardly ever available.

First off, is the blade a flat grind or is it a smooth convex from near the spine to the edge. If it is a convex grind your stones/cards won't do any good. Take comfort, though, because you can get wet/dry emory paper and tack it to a mouse pad and reverse strop the edge to scary sharp with successively finer grit papers.

If flat you can do much the same as on a large stone, but with the paper tacked onto a chunk of float glass.

Don't use any power tools on it if you want to avoid ruining it.
 
The 3M buffing wheels that look like brillo pads work well for putting a razor edge on anything, the finer ones are made for cleaning and feathering aluminum, so no worries on burning up your knife.

Nice knife! Don't agree with your choice of "cigars" though...
 
Looks liike the Juarez specials I used to see and buy as a kid...in Juarez! I think they were about 10 dollars then in the 70s, but it may be worht more to someone. Since it is a gift from Grandpa, I'd keep it and put it up...there are much easier knives to sharpen with better steels to use....for 20 bucks. But, it is really cool though. Id also say since no body here has givin or offered a educated guess on it's value, you don;t go to far while trying to sharpen it.
 
HA! True blue, whats wrong with my Capone's? I got's some Phillie sour apples...and Swisher Slims...And Backwoods black n sweets...and some white owl vanillas...oh, wait, last time I checked I was the one smoking them! :neener:. I think HSO is right, its been my policy to stay away from power tools when it comes to sharpening. Besides, I enjoy spending the time doing it my hand. Add's a little extra to it, except when the steel is harder than a woodpeckers lips. :D. Sniper, I think I will take your advice to keep from damaging it and keep it somewhere as a heirloom or something. Gosh, what the hell is wrong with my cigars.....picky picky picky...:evil:
 
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