Flaviemys purvisi
Very Well-Known Member
Been a busy fortnight... Few more vintage pre-war steels have turned up from America that I purchased 5 weeks ago, restorations been going great.
First up was a 12' round that was looking pretty ordinary but under the several millimetres of gunk was revealed clean factory lines still evident and what is essentially still a brand new steel!
Removed the original wooden handle and fitted a plastic orange handle just so I can use it at work for the next week to see how it performs.. the last 2 days it has run beautifully.
Next up was a 14' round.
This particular piece has a deer antler handle and chrome plated brass presentation fittings. This indicates that 100 odd years ago this particular steel was presented as a gift to a young apprentice butcher who'd just successfully completed his apprenticeship. After a quick disassemble and clean, this thing looks like it just came out of the box, it's obviously done less than a weeks work in it's entire life, it has 2 minor knife hits on the finger guard and deep factory lines and a mint stamp. I think this is about as mint condition as an original pre-war F. Dick steel gets.
Gave the fittings a light buff and reassembled. This will remain a personal display piece of mine in its original state. Whoever this belonged to originally, they obviously treasured it dearly.
Today another 14' round arrived on my doorstep, this one I plan to make my every day use piece, it has the extremely rare SUPER LARGE stamp. this steel will take a little more work as the original factory lines are almost completely worn out, it'll be sanded smooth, polished and new lines cut in by myself, the brass fittings will be straightened, polished and the original wooden handle will be replaced with a modern resin one. Really looking forward to having this one completed.
After this one, I currently have 5 more to do, that's if I don't see and buy any more! things will start to slow down a bit now as I have gravid turtles and my focus will shift to them. Hope everyone is well.
Cheers!
First up was a 12' round that was looking pretty ordinary but under the several millimetres of gunk was revealed clean factory lines still evident and what is essentially still a brand new steel!
Removed the original wooden handle and fitted a plastic orange handle just so I can use it at work for the next week to see how it performs.. the last 2 days it has run beautifully.
Next up was a 14' round.
This particular piece has a deer antler handle and chrome plated brass presentation fittings. This indicates that 100 odd years ago this particular steel was presented as a gift to a young apprentice butcher who'd just successfully completed his apprenticeship. After a quick disassemble and clean, this thing looks like it just came out of the box, it's obviously done less than a weeks work in it's entire life, it has 2 minor knife hits on the finger guard and deep factory lines and a mint stamp. I think this is about as mint condition as an original pre-war F. Dick steel gets.
Gave the fittings a light buff and reassembled. This will remain a personal display piece of mine in its original state. Whoever this belonged to originally, they obviously treasured it dearly.
Today another 14' round arrived on my doorstep, this one I plan to make my every day use piece, it has the extremely rare SUPER LARGE stamp. this steel will take a little more work as the original factory lines are almost completely worn out, it'll be sanded smooth, polished and new lines cut in by myself, the brass fittings will be straightened, polished and the original wooden handle will be replaced with a modern resin one. Really looking forward to having this one completed.
After this one, I currently have 5 more to do, that's if I don't see and buy any more! things will start to slow down a bit now as I have gravid turtles and my focus will shift to them. Hope everyone is well.
Cheers!
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