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Old Hickory knives I grew up with. Everybody used them in the kitchen, the garden, had one tossed in a vehicle, a shop, the barn, taken along for camping,hunting trips, hunting cabins...
I never stopped using them, I still use these today. Keep one in the truck real handy...
These old 1095 carbon steel blade knives with wooden handles are sharp! They hold an edge, and are easy to touch up.
Made by Ontario Knife Company in Franklin, New York since 1889.
Homepage for Ontario is here: http://www.ontarioknife.com/index.html
Old Hickory line here: http://www.ontarioknife.com/oldhickory.html
One of my favorite "general use" knives is the 705 , 4" Paring knife.
Now today is the 24th of December, it was about 2 hours before all the stores were closing early. I had used my truck to haul some light trash to a dumpster I have permission to use and ...it was kinda pitiful. This Old Hickory 4" Paring knife was on the ground. I tossed the trash , retrieved this knife off the ground and inspected it.
I did not seem that old, had a few minor rust spots, as it has been raining here for a few days.
Did not seem to have ever been used much, and someone had not really kept it sharp.
It was d-u-l-l. I could see it was and running a number two pencil over the edge- nothing. Blade geometry was still there ...
At least they did not use a sharpener on a can opener and take out the temper and scratch it all up.
Handle was "scruffy" and I attribute this to perhaps having been driven over on this asphalt lot.
My guess was someone used a steel or maybe a kitchen "V" carbide sharpener that resembles an egg. I have one made by Aladdin.
I needed some Five Minute Epoxy for a project and decided to run to Harbor Freight, being as I was near there and figuring I could run in and run out, even with last minute shoppers.
I got to thinking after I got the Epoxy, and was just looking and piddling and seeing what all was what.
I have this Old Hickory I just took in. Just a old classic knife that folks before I was born in the mid Fifties used and depended on. They did not have all the fancy stuff we have today...
Now I like using a Norton India stone, as shared before, I grew up with these as well and in using hand tools, many of which were carbon steel, I know this combination works for me.
Ceramic Stick in wooden "V" I have used, and to be honest I most often only use one akin to a "steel" to fine tune an edge, I want the angle different than the "V" is set to be.
Well I needed another 6" Bastard file anyway , and near was this simple, made in USA , two tone gray, two grit Aluminum Oxide sharpening stone For a $1.49.
I remember stones like these as well. Heck folks still have them in trucks, barns, sheds, and wherever.
Just felt like being...simple.
I put a ham in the oven to bake and decided to give this Poor Old Hickory 4" Paring knife some attention. First I smoothed the wooden handle with sandpaper. Next-
Hot Soapy water to soak, even had a saucepan heating some water. I had a SOS pad and after good scrubbing and it only took one light pass for the rust spots to come out. Hot water ,from the saucepan to rinse really well.
Using a piece of 2X4 to work on, Used the 6" Bastard File to put on a edge, and get the point - pointy.
Me , being me, washed and wiped the blade and sliced an apple clean as could be with just a file sharpened 1095 carbon steel blade. I almost stopped there, as in the light, the edge had a really neat look with all the "toothy edge" going in the same direction.
I did have this $1.49 stone, might as well check it out while the ham is baking.
Now I grew up - even back when - knowing if I ever used oil on a stone, I would have to continue to. Water is kinda the same, once started, must continue.
For some of what I did with hand tools, I did not use oil or water, just clean the stone with Baking soda, Bon-Ami and good to go.
Afield, sure one can use oil, or transmission fluid from the vehicle, to lube a gun, sharpening stone too, just why? Most time we just touched up a stone, wiped it off and not worried about it.
Never recall anyone cleaning game and getting oil out, might have used blood from the critter being cleaned, then again blood is different than oil or ATF getting into the game meat...So I have chosen to not use any oil or water on this stone.
So I hit this Old Hickory a few licks on the coarse, few more on the fine, and it no time...ewwy sharp!
Anywhere along the edge I set on a finger nail, the blade did not slip - instead dug in.
Under light, no signs of "dull" and the edge has a neat look with "more fine toothy" going all the same direction.
I cleaned up this Sharpening Stone with some Bon-Ami, cleaned the knife and applied some Old Fashioned Food Safe Mineral Oil, grocery store, bottom shelf next to Epsom salts.
Some recall this is used as a laxative as well. Best recall I paid $1.29 for this Pint back whenever at a grocery store.
I applied this to blade and the handle. Wow! Spiffied that sucker up right nice!
Pretty sure my new found friend appreciated coming home with me, and getting all fixed up, he kept glinting light off himself, showing off his edge, sporting his sanded handles with Mineral Oil...
He know this oil prevents rust, keep handles and wooden cutting boards in great shape.
I set him onto the wooden cutting board to get better acquainted, they were going to get to know each other better later.
Total time I spent - about 20 - 25 minutes.
I was taking my time, sipping coffee, and...poor guy looked pitiful as I said, just seemed right to devote some attention to him...
I went onto to some other things until the ham was ready. Let the ham stand for about 5 minutes.
Sliced that Cure 81ham with the greatest of ease, thin slices. Sliced some tomato, and got to playing if the truth be known, don't normally cut pickles but - hey- gotta make sure a knife works, and the knife seemed to like the attention.
Washed , dried. thin film of Mineral oil as was the wooden cutting board and ...ready for the next time.
I might drill a hole in the end of the handle, just need to find a small piece of leather cord to put through and make a small loop to hang it by. If it does not touch other knives, or utensils - the edge is protected.
I got the neatest set of toothpicks with fuzzies you ever did see...figured the Paring knife did not need to be alone in a new house neglected, so he is keeping me company here on the computer desk.
I think he just whispered being in the mood for some cheese - excuse me, my new friend is in the mood for cheese and crackers...
Steve
I never stopped using them, I still use these today. Keep one in the truck real handy...
These old 1095 carbon steel blade knives with wooden handles are sharp! They hold an edge, and are easy to touch up.
Made by Ontario Knife Company in Franklin, New York since 1889.
Homepage for Ontario is here: http://www.ontarioknife.com/index.html
Old Hickory line here: http://www.ontarioknife.com/oldhickory.html
One of my favorite "general use" knives is the 705 , 4" Paring knife.
Now today is the 24th of December, it was about 2 hours before all the stores were closing early. I had used my truck to haul some light trash to a dumpster I have permission to use and ...it was kinda pitiful. This Old Hickory 4" Paring knife was on the ground. I tossed the trash , retrieved this knife off the ground and inspected it.
I did not seem that old, had a few minor rust spots, as it has been raining here for a few days.
Did not seem to have ever been used much, and someone had not really kept it sharp.
It was d-u-l-l. I could see it was and running a number two pencil over the edge- nothing. Blade geometry was still there ...
At least they did not use a sharpener on a can opener and take out the temper and scratch it all up.
Handle was "scruffy" and I attribute this to perhaps having been driven over on this asphalt lot.
My guess was someone used a steel or maybe a kitchen "V" carbide sharpener that resembles an egg. I have one made by Aladdin.
I needed some Five Minute Epoxy for a project and decided to run to Harbor Freight, being as I was near there and figuring I could run in and run out, even with last minute shoppers.
I got to thinking after I got the Epoxy, and was just looking and piddling and seeing what all was what.
I have this Old Hickory I just took in. Just a old classic knife that folks before I was born in the mid Fifties used and depended on. They did not have all the fancy stuff we have today...
Now I like using a Norton India stone, as shared before, I grew up with these as well and in using hand tools, many of which were carbon steel, I know this combination works for me.
Ceramic Stick in wooden "V" I have used, and to be honest I most often only use one akin to a "steel" to fine tune an edge, I want the angle different than the "V" is set to be.
Well I needed another 6" Bastard file anyway , and near was this simple, made in USA , two tone gray, two grit Aluminum Oxide sharpening stone For a $1.49.
I remember stones like these as well. Heck folks still have them in trucks, barns, sheds, and wherever.
Just felt like being...simple.
I put a ham in the oven to bake and decided to give this Poor Old Hickory 4" Paring knife some attention. First I smoothed the wooden handle with sandpaper. Next-
Hot Soapy water to soak, even had a saucepan heating some water. I had a SOS pad and after good scrubbing and it only took one light pass for the rust spots to come out. Hot water ,from the saucepan to rinse really well.
Using a piece of 2X4 to work on, Used the 6" Bastard File to put on a edge, and get the point - pointy.
Me , being me, washed and wiped the blade and sliced an apple clean as could be with just a file sharpened 1095 carbon steel blade. I almost stopped there, as in the light, the edge had a really neat look with all the "toothy edge" going in the same direction.
I did have this $1.49 stone, might as well check it out while the ham is baking.
Now I grew up - even back when - knowing if I ever used oil on a stone, I would have to continue to. Water is kinda the same, once started, must continue.
For some of what I did with hand tools, I did not use oil or water, just clean the stone with Baking soda, Bon-Ami and good to go.
Afield, sure one can use oil, or transmission fluid from the vehicle, to lube a gun, sharpening stone too, just why? Most time we just touched up a stone, wiped it off and not worried about it.
Never recall anyone cleaning game and getting oil out, might have used blood from the critter being cleaned, then again blood is different than oil or ATF getting into the game meat...So I have chosen to not use any oil or water on this stone.
So I hit this Old Hickory a few licks on the coarse, few more on the fine, and it no time...ewwy sharp!
Anywhere along the edge I set on a finger nail, the blade did not slip - instead dug in.
Under light, no signs of "dull" and the edge has a neat look with "more fine toothy" going all the same direction.
I cleaned up this Sharpening Stone with some Bon-Ami, cleaned the knife and applied some Old Fashioned Food Safe Mineral Oil, grocery store, bottom shelf next to Epsom salts.
Some recall this is used as a laxative as well. Best recall I paid $1.29 for this Pint back whenever at a grocery store.
I applied this to blade and the handle. Wow! Spiffied that sucker up right nice!
Pretty sure my new found friend appreciated coming home with me, and getting all fixed up, he kept glinting light off himself, showing off his edge, sporting his sanded handles with Mineral Oil...
He know this oil prevents rust, keep handles and wooden cutting boards in great shape.
I set him onto the wooden cutting board to get better acquainted, they were going to get to know each other better later.
Total time I spent - about 20 - 25 minutes.
I was taking my time, sipping coffee, and...poor guy looked pitiful as I said, just seemed right to devote some attention to him...
I went onto to some other things until the ham was ready. Let the ham stand for about 5 minutes.
Sliced that Cure 81ham with the greatest of ease, thin slices. Sliced some tomato, and got to playing if the truth be known, don't normally cut pickles but - hey- gotta make sure a knife works, and the knife seemed to like the attention.
Washed , dried. thin film of Mineral oil as was the wooden cutting board and ...ready for the next time.
I might drill a hole in the end of the handle, just need to find a small piece of leather cord to put through and make a small loop to hang it by. If it does not touch other knives, or utensils - the edge is protected.
I got the neatest set of toothpicks with fuzzies you ever did see...figured the Paring knife did not need to be alone in a new house neglected, so he is keeping me company here on the computer desk.
I think he just whispered being in the mood for some cheese - excuse me, my new friend is in the mood for cheese and crackers...
Steve
