whinewine Report post Posted May 5, 2009 I just recently picked up a W. Rose round knife marked " W. Rose, WestPhila." It's 5-1/2" from tip to tip. My question is: what is the quality of steel in these knives compared to other head/round knives? I'm assuming this is an old knife- I just don't know the era in which it was produced- mid 1800s?. (I have a modern Osborne & well, it's OK, but I'm just curious about the quality of the Rose.) Thank you for any information. russ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bruce johnson Report post Posted May 5, 2009 I haven't owned a Rose, but everyone I know who has one wouldn't give them up. If the blade has been neglected and rusted or pitted that is one thing, but if it is good, they are the first grab. I haven't seen any hard dates on when they were made, but the suspicion I heard is the the later 1800s. Here's a link to old makers I find useful - Old tool makers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hidepounder Report post Posted May 5, 2009 (edited) I have a Rose knive, and Bruce is right, it won't leave here. They are of the highest quality steel! Bob Edited May 5, 2009 by hidepounder Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Report post Posted May 6, 2009 I have a few knives by Rose. They are indeed high quality steel. The temper and hardness is great. It stays sharp along time. It's the first knife I reach for on the bench. I really don't need 4 of these. If someone wants one. I'd sell a couple. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MADMAX22 Report post Posted May 6, 2009 I have a few knives by Rose. They are indeed high quality steel. The temper and hardness is great. It stays sharp along time. It's the first knife I reach for on the bench. I really don't need 4 of these. If someone wants one. I'd sell a couple. Im interested, dropped ya a pm. Ive been looking around for a new knife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pete Report post Posted May 6, 2009 I have a few knives by Rose. They are indeed high quality steel. The temper and hardness is great. It stays sharp along time. It's the first knife I reach for on the bench. I really don't need 4 of these. If someone wants one. I'd sell a couple. I would be too! please email me!!!! pete Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hidepounder Report post Posted May 6, 2009 I have a few knives by Rose. They are indeed high quality steel. The temper and hardness is great. It stays sharp along time. It's the first knife I reach for on the bench. I really don't need 4 of these. If someone wants one. I'd sell a couple. Bob, I'd like to see what you have also.... Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whinewine Report post Posted May 6, 2009 (edited) I haven't owned a Rose, but everyone I know who has one wouldn't give them up. If the blade has been neglected and rusted or pitted that is one thing, but if it is good, they are the first grab. I haven't seen any hard dates on when they were made, but the suspicion I heard is the the later 1800s. Here's a link to old makers I find useful - Old tool makers. Bruce: thank you for the makers' link. The blade is not pitted or rusted, but has some discoloration (like most old carbon steel blades). So I guess I have a winner here? I have tried to sharpen it up a little but I haven't tried to strop it, yet- been too busy getting ready for shows right now. When I get time, I'll try to sharpen according to Rawhide's tutorial (or maybe I'll send it away for pro services if I can't get it right). Regardless, i'm glad I got a good blade. Again, thank you, Bruce & Hidepounder for the information! russ Edited May 6, 2009 by whinewine Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rawhide Report post Posted July 3, 2009 Bruce: thank you for the makers' link. The blade is not pitted or rusted, but has some discoloration (like most old carbon steel blades). So I guess I have a winner here? I have tried to sharpen it up a little but I haven't tried to strop it, yet- been too busy getting ready for shows right now. When I get time, I'll try to sharpen according to Rawhide's tutorial (or maybe I'll send it away for pro services if I can't get it right). Regardless, i'm glad I got a good blade. Again, thank you, Bruce & Hidepounder for the information! russ Russ, Just wondering how your Rose knife came out...I just picked up a small one myself on the old ebay and I found it so far really easy to sharpen and I can put a fantastic edge on it. This will be in the short reach range for a long time. Mine has a little discoloration in spots, not really sure if it's pitting or not but I know it's not rust, but I plan to sand blast it lightly to see if I can strip that off and shine it up a bit...If not, it still cuts faboulously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hidepounder Report post Posted July 3, 2009 Marlon, Just be careful not to do anything to effect the temper...I know you already know that...but it's over a hundred years old.....it deserves a few age spots! I know you'll love it! Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whinewine Report post Posted July 3, 2009 Marlon: I sharpened it, but haven't stropped it yet & haven't compared it to my professionally sharpened knife. Right now, I'm in prep for a few shows & am busy with other things- like checking out a few new venues (found one today that may be fantastic for 2010). - this is the busiest time - did a few shows up till now- very poor so far- the 2 major shows we do, well, they occurred on the same date this year, AND, we were in Boston for a family function, so we blew off some good $$$. I'll let you know how the knife turns out. Thanks. russ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rawhide Report post Posted July 4, 2009 (edited) Marlon,Just be careful not to do anything to effect the temper...I know you already know that...but it's over a hundred years old.....it deserves a few age spots! I know you'll love it! Bob Hi Bob, Will the blasting ruin the temper? I certainly don't want to do that. So far I've slow wet grinded the bevel, then used my cardboard wheels to put an edge on, and hand polished with 800 grit/1200 grit/2000 grit/green rouge strop. I bought one of those portable blasters from Harbour freight and some 70 grit medium, I was going to try it out on some old metal to see how well I can control it first. I may just leave well enough alone. Any advise would be welcome. Thanks. By the way, did you sell your extras yet? If you decide to let one of those beard mauls go, let me be the first in line!!! Edited July 4, 2009 by Rawhide Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hidepounder Report post Posted July 4, 2009 Hi Bob,Will the blasting ruin the temper? I certainly don't want to do that. So far I've slow wet grinded the bevel, then used my cardboard wheels to put an edge on, and hand polished with 800 grit/1200 grit/2000 grit/green rouge strop. I bought one of those portable blasters from Harbour freight and some 70 grit medium, I was going to try it out on some old metal to see how well I can control it first. I may just leave well enough alone. Any advise would be welcome. Thanks. By the way, did you sell your extras yet? If you decide to let one of those beard mauls go, let me be the first in line!!! Marlon, I don't know if sand blasting or bead blasting would have any effect on temper or not....it doesn't seem like it....but the truth is I don't know and I would like to. Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TwinOaks Report post Posted July 4, 2009 I don't see how sand/bead blasting it would affect the temper, unless s/b blasting REALLY heats up the steel. If anything, I'd suspect the airflow would cool the blade. The steel's temper shouldn't be affected by anything under about 300 degrees or so.( note: I've got an interest in knife making, but I'm not a metalurgist) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnD Report post Posted July 4, 2009 Marlon, I'd also be careful about sandblasting that blade for the fact that when you sandblast steel it has a tendency to flash rust very quickly. John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steveh Report post Posted July 4, 2009 marlon, If that was my knife I would not bead blast it. That 70 grit will give the blade a texture, something you dont want. I would recommend soaking the blade in some kerosene , just the blade not the handle, overnight, and then give it a polish with some croacus cloth, this should help clean it up. in addition to to a keen edge, a high polish back from the edge of the blade helps the knife glide thru the leather. Steve Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rawhide Report post Posted July 4, 2009 Thanks for all the suggestions, I kind of figured I'd do more damage than good. By the way Steve, where do I get croacus cloth? Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steveh Report post Posted July 4, 2009 Thanks for all the suggestions, I kind of figured I'd do more damage than good.By the way Steve, where do I get croacus cloth? Thanks Marlon, crocus is iron oxide cloth sheets , used for a fine finish on metal.You can use it wet or dry. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Report post Posted November 18, 2010 MSC or McMaster Art Marlon, crocus is iron oxide cloth sheets , used for a fine finish on metal.You can use it wet or dry. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gtwister09 Report post Posted November 18, 2010 (edited) Marlon, I have seen Crocus cloth listed between 1200 and 1500 as the grit. If you used your progression that you had listed then you worked through it. For a while you could get it at Woodcraft but I haven't seen it listed or in the stores for some time. The last bit I picked up it was cheaper on Amazon that what I could get it at MSC or McMaster's. Go figure! I haven't checked for a while. Regards, Ben Edited November 18, 2010 by gtwister09 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bruce johnson Report post Posted November 19, 2010 I get crocus at Ace Hardware. They have it in the "by the sheet" displays at the stores here. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rawhide Report post Posted November 19, 2010 Thanks guys. I appreciate all the suggestions. I will look for the crocus cloth and try that out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
