Wood and Brass

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john
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Wood and Brass

Post by john »

Hello Everyone,
I’ve wanted this stamp ever since I saw it many years ago.
Wood and brass Italian stiletto OAL 8 3/8”, standard handle for a 9” knife. I’m guessing that it was made for export to Germany. The brass on this knife was heavily tarnished. There was no way I could leave it as it arrived. It looks like a 1970s knife.
As always your comments are welcomed thanks for taking a look at my latest acquisition.
John

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John

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portlandmike
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Re: Wood and Brass

Post by portlandmike »

That stamp is so cool. Seems like I’ve seen something about it before but can’t remember the name. Great job on the polish!

Mike
sammy the blade
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Re: Wood and Brass

Post by sammy the blade »

Cleaned up really nice!
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JimBrown257
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Re: Wood and Brass

Post by JimBrown257 »

portlandmike wrote:That stamp is so cool. Seems like I’ve seen something about it before but can’t remember the name. Great job on the polish!

Mike
It kind of looks like the Elio stamp but I think you are thinking of the Kilroy Was Here graffiti from the 40s. Am I right about that?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilroy_was_here

As for that stamp, whose stamp is it? I've seen it on a variety of Italian knives.
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Corvus
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Re: Wood and Brass

Post by Corvus »

I believe I ran across that stamp a while back at Blade Forums, and if memory serves, Bill identified it. Maybe he'll chime in.

Don't get me wrong, I think you did a fine polishing job there, but personally, I like the brass better with a patina; more vintage looking. Nice knife either way.

Is it unusual to have a nickle silver button with brass bolsters, scale pins and safety cap? I've never seen that before.
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JimBrown257
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Re: Wood and Brass

Post by JimBrown257 »

Corvus wrote: Is it unusual to have a nickle silver button with brass bolsters, scale pins and safety cap? I've never seen that before.
That is actually pretty common (though the button is steel). Older knives with brass have brass buttons & safeties. Modern 15" and 18"s have brass buttons and safeties. Most modern 7-13" brass bolsters have steel button & safety. But a lot of them have steel buttons and brass safety. Some of them have the steel button brass plated but those buttons don't hold the plating well (or the plating was done poorly) and it is usually almost all gone.

If you do like the patina on brass, don't worry; it will be back in a few hours.
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whippersnapper
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Re: Wood and Brass

Post by whippersnapper »

The stamp is Gustav Branner. The ears on the round face are a "G" and "B".
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picklocksrock
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Re: Wood and Brass

Post by picklocksrock »

It’s really nice, great job!
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john
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Re: Wood and Brass

Post by john »

Hi Mike,
I used Semichrome and a very little elbow grease. I just could not leave it tarnished. I should have mentioned I couldn’t recall the craftsman’s name. I’m sure someone will ID the stamp.
Thank for checking out my latest addition,
John
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john
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Re: Wood and Brass

Post by john »

Hi Sammy,
I just can’t leave any of my knives tarnished. I know some collectors frown upon cleaning. As they say, “To each his own.”
Thank you Sammy for stopping by,
John
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john
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Re: Wood and Brass

Post by john »

Hi Corvus,
I guess I like bright and shiny. I feel like too much tarnish is an invitation for rust, pitting and who knows what else. I will agree a little patina is ok. I’m going to take closer look at the button.
Thanks for your comment,
John
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john
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Re: Wood and Brass

Post by john »

Hi Jerry,
Upon a careful inspection and a more thorough cleaning the button is made from steel. It appeared to have the softer glow/coloration of NS.
Corvus good call out. All it needed was a little more polish to make the steel button shine like new.
Thank you for your comments,
John
PS Jerry the brass is already looking dull. :lol:
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john
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Re: Wood and Brass

Post by john »

Hi Terry,
I’m very happy you were able to ID the stamp. I couldn’t recall it. I wish the B was visible.
Thank you very much, :D
John
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john
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Re: Wood and Brass

Post by john »

Hello PLR,
Cleaning it wax real easy. Decades of tarnish came right off the bolsters. The liners took an extra minute or two. I used a cotton swabs and the paper shaft kept bending and breaking.
Thanks for writing,
John
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John

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natcherly
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Re: Wood and Brass

Post by natcherly »

Wood and brass are one of my favorite combos. I am very partial to natural materials which means I have few pieces with plastic scales or weird coatings. Spiky haired guy with knife in teeth is probably the most amusing stamp around and shows that the maker doesn't take himself too seriously. Love it!
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