# Antique Case pocket knife. Will replacing the blade wipe out the value? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 9, 2013, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antique-case-pocket-knife-will-replacing-the-blade-wipe-out-the-value/673471 "2013-11-09T00:13:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2013, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antique-case-pocket-knife-will-replacing-the-blade-wipe-out-the-value/673471/1 "2013-11-09T00:13:16Z")
My grandfathers **wood handle** , 3 blade [Case Electricians knife](http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/knife_store/images/product_images/909_43817_1366295997_1.JPG). Dates back to the 1940’s or 50’s. Don’t know an exact date, but plastic handles were common in the 1960’s. The tip of the curved blade is broken off and the blade is heavily worn from many sharpenings. Case will repair the knife (for a fee). But, will that wipe out the antique value? Or is the value gone anyway because the blade tip is broken? Will getting the blade replaced increase the antique value? Anyone here collect vintage pocket knives? ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2013, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antique-case-pocket-knife-will-replacing-the-blade-wipe-out-the-value/673471/2 "2013-11-09T00:22:39Z")
That’s a cool knife. I have a few old Cases; used collect them with my dad. I don’t think it has a ton of value\* and would be more useful with full blades. I’d be inclined to change it. \*to my knowledge, the pricier old knives were the ones with stag handles, whittlers, etc. Have you checked eBay auctions, online collectible knife dealers? As a guess, I’d say it was worth in the $25 - $50??? ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2013, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antique-case-pocket-knife-will-replacing-the-blade-wipe-out-the-value/673471/3 "2013-11-09T00:24:12Z")
I’d agree with WordMan that it’s probably worth $25-$50, and, if so, won’t be seriously devalued if you change the blade. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2013, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antique-case-pocket-knife-will-replacing-the-blade-wipe-out-the-value/673471/4 "2013-11-09T00:26:48Z")
$25 to $35 is about right. The 3 blade Electricians knives are bit more rare. I see a lot more 2 blade ones on Ebay. The curved blade is for slicing open the jacket of Romex cable. Doesn’t work too well with the tip broken off. What’s the best way to clean corrosion off a knife blade? ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2013, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antique-case-pocket-knife-will-replacing-the-blade-wipe-out-the-value/673471/5 "2013-11-09T00:59:44Z")
Hmm, I don’t know of a way chemically; only via polishing. What kind of corrosion? Can you clean off any surface stuff and just oil the blade? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2013, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antique-case-pocket-knife-will-replacing-the-blade-wipe-out-the-value/673471/6 "2013-11-09T01:25:22Z")
Looks like light rust. A few clumps of it on a couple areas of the blades. Polishing may take it off. It doesn’t look very deep. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2013, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antique-case-pocket-knife-will-replacing-the-blade-wipe-out-the-value/673471/7 "2013-11-09T01:31:42Z")
I see Flitz polish is listed on a knife page. Don’t know if it’s strong enough for light rust. Might be worth a try? [http://www.knifecenter.com/brand/338/flitz](http://www.knifecenter.com/brand/338/flitz) ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2013, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antique-case-pocket-knife-will-replacing-the-blade-wipe-out-the-value/673471/8 "2013-11-09T01:44:26Z")
George Washington’s axe? We’ve only replaced the handle four times and the blade twice? ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2013, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antique-case-pocket-knife-will-replacing-the-blade-wipe-out-the-value/673471/9 "2013-11-09T01:54:16Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I see Flitz polish is listed on a knife page. Don’t know if it’s strong enough for light rust. Might be worth a try? > [Flitz Premium Polishing Prodcuts](http://www.knifecenter.com/brand/338/flitz) Sorry; no clue. I’m sure you can research it online or call your local cutlery shop. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Goob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@Mr.Goob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Goob)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2013, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antique-case-pocket-knife-will-replacing-the-blade-wipe-out-the-value/673471/10 "2013-11-10T20:46:09Z")
I fix and restore antiques as part of my buisness. When I get asked if restoring affects the value I always say it depends. Mostly I work with old brass lamps. If it has a heavy patina and looks old, some people value that, because it looks authentic. But in a very formal setting it will look dingy and out of place. So refinished and looking bright and new will be approprate. In a casual setting like a log cabin, it will look shiny and stick out like a sore thumb. Restored or original, still might get the sime price, but looking for two distinct buyers. Functionality is a factor. Broken doesn’t do anybody any good. Value wise, it was your Grandfathers, are you going to sell it? If the answer is hell no! It was Granddads. Then screw the value, fix it, use it, and remember Grandpa and smile every time you do use it. ---
**Author:** ![Fleetwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fleetwood/32/271_2.png) [@Fleetwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fleetwood)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2013, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antique-case-pocket-knife-will-replacing-the-blade-wipe-out-the-value/673471/11 "2013-11-10T22:36:42Z")
> [@Mr.Goob](#): > > Value wise, it was your Grandfathers, are you going to sell it? If the answer is hell no! It was Granddads. Then screw the value, fix it, use it, and remember Grandpa and smile every time you do use it. I agree. If you use it, fix it if it needs it. ---
**Author:** ![pabstist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e99b99/32.png) [@pabstist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pabstist)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2013, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antique-case-pocket-knife-will-replacing-the-blade-wipe-out-the-value/673471/12 "2013-11-11T03:08:23Z")
Can you install new blades and keep the old ones? Then someday change it back to the original condition?