stinky kinfolk
I recently bought a Kinfolks USA 6161. It was sold as 1940's era. Bought as a boyscout, stored in a box since then. The condition of the steel is good, some discoloration as one would expect from a 60 y.o. knife, but still lots of shine. Sheath is in good to almost excellent condition. Almost too good? It does say "Kinfolks" on it. The big issue is the scales. They appear to fit the tang very well, and the tang has some discoloration, so I do not believe the scales have been ground, at least not while on the knife. The scales seem to show some patina, though the front part near where the guard would be is quite clean (perhaps from being stored in the sheath?). The small rivets holding the scales on are discolored, apparently from age. So the scales look like they could be original. The problem is, the smell. The knife smells like...I've never smelled anything quite like it, but seems as though it is a dead animal smell. I have been told by Native Alaskans that they can't use fresh bone for crafts without some processing because of the smell. Fossilized bones don't have that smell.
Did someone replace the scales, or can they develop a stench from being stored in some fashion?
Thanks.
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