I Sharpened Two Very Old Carbon Steel Chef's Knives

A customer brought these two carbon steel chef's knives to me to be sharpened:

Vintage Forged Carbon Steel Chef's Knives

One is a Pouzet brand, made in France. The other is a J. A. Henckels.

The customer told me that these knives were he mother's grandmother's knives!

Vintage Pouzet and Henckel Chef's Knives

Here is a picture of the maker's stamps on the knife blades. These knives are carbon steel — so that discoloration or staining that is visible in these photographs are the nature of the beast. Yes, the knives started out as nice shiny 'steel' color — but contact with food causes this staining, or patina as we like to call it. There is no practical way to prevent it, and the patina seals the steel and makes for a better knife.

Vintage Kitchen Knives

Here are the handles. Other than the chipped handle and some irregular wear on the cutting edges, these knives are in very good condition! I like to say good kitchen knives are multi-generational, and these knives illustrate that point exactly.