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Some things are made uniquely; Old Hickory Knives are one.
The Ontario Company has been making Old Hickory knives in the United States with few changes for over 90 years.
People have said that the “old” Old Hickory is better than the “new” version of the same brand. The truth is that they are almost the same.
The Old Hickory knife bought in the 1950s is almost identical to today’s one. The article will show you how to date your old hickory knife, whether old or new.
How To Date Old Hickory Knives
You might not know your Hickory knife’s year of establishment. However, one thing you will know is the year range of its manufacture.
To decide this, check below for important things before knowing your hickory knife age.
The Make
Materials used these days are different from those used many years back.
Check your old hickory knife quality. The highest cutlery grade carbon steel is used to produce Old Hickory knives.
They also have wooden handles. The Old Hickory knife is crafted from 1095 high-carbon steel.
The carbon steel has been extensively heat-treated and tempered.
And you must know that all its parts and the raw materials used in its production are sourced domestically.
Also, you should confirm that each knife is made in the United States of America.
You should also check the handles. They are made of smooth, hickory wood.
This fixed blade with a full tang is 12 inches thick and has brass rivets. It is 10.12 inches long and was made with pride in the United States.
If all these are correct about your knife, you can be sure it’s the old hickory knife. These show that your old hickory knife was made around 1889 to 1924.
The new “Old Hickory Knife” was made with stainless steel, most of which was manufactured in the 2000s.
The Feel
Hold your knife and feel it. It will give you a clue about its manufacturing date.
The price-to-quality ratio of Ontario Old Hickory knives is very favorable. They are commonly made of 1095 tool steel that has been tempered.
The thinner stock gives them an extremely sharp cutting edge. However, the softer steel gives them high wear and tear resistance.
So, when you feel the hardness, you can be sure your knife was made 100 years back.
The new old hickory knives are soft to feel and are the knives made in the 2000s.
The hardness can’t be compared to the new hickory knives, which are no match. This check won’t be difficult for anyone who wants knives for aesthetic value.
When your old hickory knife doesn’t have the “fineness” you love, it is an old knife made in the 1990s.
You must pay close attention to upkeep when handling this type of knife.
The Edge Type
Checking the edge, too, is vital in dating your hickory knife. The old “old hickory knife” does not have a decent edge when they are first purchased.
It is also simple to rectify. You will observe how the 15-degree angle performs for a time.
After this, you can decide whether or not to change it. You may adjust it to 18 degrees if it doesn’t work correctly.
However, the 15 ought to be sufficient for what you require it for.
Features
Features show differences too, and sometimes it’s obvious. The old kitchen cutlery is crafted from carbon steel and belongs to the Old Hickory range.
They have been proudly manufactured in the United States for over ninety years.
The Old Hickory Cook Knife blade is crafted from carbon steel and measures 8.125 inches in length. It has a Rockwell hardness rating of between 57 and 59.
The entire item is thirteen inches long and features a handle made of hardwood. If you have the modernized old hickory knife, you should know it’s the new set.
They are newly made and to slice meat and veggies.
The Price
Although Old Hickory blades can be honed to a razor’s edge, they do not come out of the factory expensive. Even carbon steel will rust over time.
Old Hickory knives are surprisingly affordable. It is because they are heirloom pieces passed down from generation to generation.
You can get started with the series by purchasing a single knife for as low as $8.99. Also, you can go all in and get a complete set of five knives for less than $50 total.
That is an excellent price for high-quality silverware designed in the kitchen. In contrast, the new hickory knife always starts at $20.
So, the price alone will tell you the age whenever you want to buy an old hickory knife.
Search Online
Your old hickory knife is likely online, and searching will be another way to check the date. Go online and search for your old hickory knife’s exact type.
They can be seen on various selling sites. You can search for the manufacturing date; some will have 2019, while others might have older years.
If your knife has stayed for hundred years, the seller would most likely put it in the description. You can use the above tips to check the resemblance with your knife.
The look, the edge, the feel, and the materials will greatly help show you the date online.
Differentiating The Old And New Hickory Knives
The Old Hickory knife that your old relative used to have was very sharp. However, the new Old Hickory knife isn’t quite as sharp.
Your old relative probably enjoyed sharpening his Old Hickory, and we can assume he did it regularly. 1095 carbon steel is used to make the blade.
It needs to have its edge sharpened now and then. It always needs to be sharpened.
If you sharpen the edge of the 1095 carbon steel before each use, you can quickly get a significant edge that will last for a long time.
Older hickory knives must be taken care of and kept in good shape. When you always see your grandma going through this, rest assured it’s an old hickory knife.
It’s going to take a while before it stops working. Before using it, you must ensure it’s sharp, unlike the new knife.
Ensure to wipe the blade after use, mainly if you used it to cut things that had acid on them.
At regular times, you will need to put a thin layer of the oil of your choice on the blade. Always remember that 1095 carbon steel is not corrosion-resistant in any way.
Over time, it will rust. You can’t put it in the dishwasher to clean it.
The best thing to do is wash it and dry it as soon as possible.
However, if you don’t need to do all of these to your hickory knife, it’s most likely that it’s of the new make.
Lastly, the old hickory knife was made only in the United States. However, the new hickory knives are made in several countries currently.
Conclusion
Since 1924, the Ontario Knife Company has made the Old Hickory kitchen knives.
The same tried-and-true methods are still used to make these knives in Franklinville, New York.
Even though they used to be made in the United States, old Hickory’s knife made of carbon steel is better than any other brand.
Carbon steel blades are often chosen by people who want a sharp edge that will last a long time.
As the blades are used, they will eventually get a finish that makes them stand out.
The product isn’t a problem; it’s just a way to show that they used real high-carbon steel.
Don’t let Old Hickory knives sit in water, and don’t put them in the dishwasher. This rule is valid for all good knives.
Just wash and make sure the knives are completely dry.
