I recently received a couple of old fixed blades, a Schrade 498 with a leather handle and a 491 with a Staglon handle. Both knives were advertised as being in good condition. When I pulled the 491 from the sheath, my heart sank. Both sides of the blade are covered with scratches going in every possible direction, from the spine to the edge. On one side is a deep grind mark that I don't think I'm going to get out. There are tiny pits everywhere.
The 498 came in a sheath that looked like it was covered with dirt or dust. The leather handle was dirty as was the blade when I removed the knife from the sheath. I cleaned the metal surfaces with Flitz and put a coat of wax on the leather handle. There isn't a scratch on this knife and it looks like it was never sharpened. I'm impressed with the quality of this one except it didn't come with the squared off sheath. The sheath is embossed with the 49'er insignia but follows the curve of the blade.
The 498 came in a sheath that looked like it was covered with dirt or dust. The leather handle was dirty as was the blade when I removed the knife from the sheath. I cleaned the metal surfaces with Flitz and put a coat of wax on the leather handle. There isn't a scratch on this knife and it looks like it was never sharpened. I'm impressed with the quality of this one except it didn't come with the squared off sheath. The sheath is embossed with the 49'er insignia but follows the curve of the blade.
