11/16 Joseph Smith in original bone

Can't really explain why, but when this old, 11/16 Joseph Smith in bone arrived as part of an ebay lot last year, it really grabbed hold of me despite my preference for blades 7/8 and larger.

Judging by the size and shape of the tang, along with the quality/characteristics of the steel, I believe it's a rather early Jos. Smith - maybe 1830s-1840s?

Anyhow, regardless of what its age may actually be, I wanted to keep as much of its simple, clean, antique look and feel as I could while still making it feel 'fresh out of the box' and snug and secure on its pivot. So...

• Original bone scales (even kept an ever-so-slight hint of the 'R' initial some scratched into it as a tantalizing little tease for the more discerning eye)
• Original lead wedge
• Kept 1 or 2 little pits near the makers mark on the front of the shank as well as an original pin-head sized imperfect on the back of the shank
• new brass pins and washers
• added thrust washers

It took a wonderful edge and shaves like a champ.

Here are the before and after picks (the Boker below it will probably be my next project):

Attachment 73668

Attachment 73667

Attachment 73664

Attachment 73665

Attachment 73669

That sure turned out nice. That bone has a lovely aged look to it.

Nice job, I love aged bone and do all kinds of things to get that effect but naturally aged such as this is simply beautiful. I also like the way you sanded it out some but left some of the striations and marks.

Very nice work. She is back to looking beautiful again, and I'm glad to hear it shaves as good as it looks.
Grant

Wow, that's cool...

Excellent. I like it.

Its good to see her in her former beauty. Nicely done.