Is This A Genuine Toothpick ?: And what is the best way to sharpen it ?

B

Blake the Blade

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My dad surprised me last year when he announced that he had bought me something at a country fair in the South of England. To my delight he produced what a believe is called a "Toothpick" penknife. The knife is 3 inches closed and 5.2 open with brass liners, has what I think are bone scales, a filed back-spring, a damascened blade and no makers mark. It's a nice looking little thing and apparently cost the old man a few bob. Apart from this I know absolutely nothing about toothpicks and wondered if anyone could give me any information regarding, not just this particular knife but toothpicks generally. Also, I was wondering what the best way to sharpen it would be. I tried to do so once, but found it difficult to get a decent edge. The blade is thick towards the cutting edge which I imagine would necessitate it being held at a steep angle if sharpened on an oil stone or similar in order to get the correct bevel. I'm just not sure on this one and don't want to risk messing it up. I wouldn't want to use this knife for anything too demanding once sharpened, but want it sharp and useable nevertheless, as all knives should be. Any information regarding any of the above would be much appreciated.

M.S.

Untitled by marksawdust123, on FlickrUntitled by marksawdust123, on FlickrUntitled by marksawdust123, on Flickr
Untitled by marksawdust123, on Flickr
Untitled by marksawdust123, on Flickr
Untitled by marksawdust123, on Flickr
Untitled by marksawdust123, on Flickr
 
Yep. It is a small toothpick pattern.
Nice file work on the blade and back spring. The handle scales (to me, at least) look like Mastadon Ivory.
Presuming there are no chips in the cutting edge, a strop should suffice to keep it sharp.
 
Beautiful specimen. I'm no expert by any means. But it looks to me that's what you have. As far as sharpening I use a spyderco sharp maker. It does very good on my toothpicks. (Small, medium, and large) just take your time with it not to round your tip of the clip point away.
 
Hey that's great ! Just what I wanted to here. Mastadon Ivory wow !, what is that ? Still feel as though I need to get it sharp to start with though. Thanks afishhunter.
 
Thanks Texas, sounds like good advice. I knew I had something nice. The fact I got it from my dad makes it extra special you know.
 
Thanks Pipeman. Yeah I can see it being Asian in origin now you say it. Didn't think English or American or it would be marked. I thought perhaps Spanish.
 
That's a cool little knife; I'm envious. :thumbup:

If it's thick near the edge, I'd thin the edge grind with a 'scrubbing' back/forth motion on something like a Fine diamond hone, or on a SiC stone (~320-grit or so, on the 'Fine' side of a double-sided stone). That'd get it thinned pretty fast (or very fast). That's what I've done with my smaller traditional knives. Maintenance after that would be easy on the same hones, or a Sharpmaker, or a strop, etc.

I'd also bet it's bone-handled. Looks a lot more like bone, especially as seen in the flat portions adjacent to the liners, where the 'pores' can more easily be seen.


David
 
I have a similar made knife although not a toothpick pattern.It has the same barrel shaped bone handle.A mate of mine got it at the souvenir shop at the grand canyon or some othe massive tourist mecca in the U.S. it is made in China.Without 'made in China' on it probably made in India.
Still a nice gift tho
 
Thanks David, glad you like it. Sounds like great advice, makes a lot of sense to do that in this particular case I think.
 
Thanks for your interest and information Meako. Yeah I'd go along with all of that. Somehow don't feel so nervous about having a go at sharpening it now, think I'll follow Obsessed with edges' advice on that. Cheers.
 
Hello,here a short message from the Netherlands.i think it's a beautyfull little "penknife/toothpick",to keep sharp strop it.good luck with such a nice pressent!
 
Blake that looks like a stag handled case toothpick I once had. The stag was hafted "fat" like yours.
 
Yeah on closer look it could maybe be antler.Look at that dark colouration/stripey bit.Also leans it towards India because thats where a lot of antler comes from now.
 
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