Originally Posted By: Peter_Kaufman
I went to a gun show today and all I got was a knife. It is a model 8-4" with a Johnson roughback sheath, it has a black 1/2 inch compass and thick red and blue spacers with thin white spacers. I think it belongs here as I think it is 70's vintage, but please correct me if I am wrong. It has some pitting, but isn't too bad, no stone with the knife though.
Is it ok to polish the hilt and sharpen it?

Thanks
Peter


Peter -

In my experience, the knife could be early 70's, or it could be late 60's. I have found that in smaller knives made using 3/16" stock could have 7 spacers or the pattern you have. In fact, it appears the 7 spacer configuration may have been phased out in the late 60's in favor of your pattern. The other scenario it it was just a random selection depending on who handled the knife. I think the first scenario is more likely the case.

Personally, I don't polish knives as a general rule, and definitely don't polish the hilt. Nothing looks worse to me than having a nice vintage knife with a hilt that looks like a mirror. Keep the patina.