To be (a Weekender) or not to be

[styx]

well I've got an old Vic Weekender. It's basically a Spartan without the handle tools (tweezers and toothpick).

It's been my granduncle's work EDC for probably over a decade until he had to retire due to a spine injury. Can't really tell since I'm not sure when they came out and when he got it, but by the way it got beat up I'm hoping it's over a decade.
Years later he gave it to me and I've used it at work, as an EDC and later on rarer occasions as it has sentimental value. However the years have been showing for some time now and I'm at a crossroads with 3 options.

1 - Basically I could retire it and keep it as it is
2 - Get new scales, turn it into a Spartan and put it back into rotation
3 - Get or make new fancy scales, refurbish it as much as possible and carry it on those more special occasions

Since I can't really make up my mind your help is needed. The poll will be open 'till the 15th as on the 16th I'm going on a trip and having an idea what to do will be useful at that point

[kirk13]

I've voted for one,but three is nearly as good.

Two would,I think,rob it of its identity,three might enhance its identity.But if the knife is of real sentimental value to you,you don't want to place it at undue risk.If you leave it as is,preserved rather than restored,its still a special occasion carry,as its carrying marks of honour

[Sparky415]

3B - Refurbish it a little and carry it on those more special occasions 

 

[styx]

thanks for your input. this is gonna be interesting

[Top-Gear-24]

I would keep it as it is, a tool that served me (and in your case, also another family member) deserves to be retired properly, I would even consider making it some kind of display case ... but that's just me ...  .

[enki_ck]

I say retire it and let it keep it's sentimental value. Even if yo store it in a box in drawer it will give you a smile every time you "find it" again. And it will give you an excuse to get another SAK.

[AimlessWanderer]

Personally I would leave it as it is, until it physically cannot be used any longer ... then keep it as it as a memento.

The more character it builds up the better in my opinion. Tools that have a tale or twelve to tell are WAY more interesting than something nice and shiny that's lived in a drawer or been refurbed. A refurb basically eliminates all the personality that the knife/tool has acquired. Fine for a cheapo score off ebay - but not fine for a knife that has gained it's character through use by you and someone close.

So from the options listed my vote is for number one - but only when it's no longer usable 

[styx]

At this point both blades are not usable. They can be fixed though but most things can be.

[AimlessWanderer]

Not usable as in blunt or snapped off? 

Sharpening doesn't count as refurb 

[Sparky415]

Can we see a picture please Styx 

[ICanFixThat]

Can we see a picture please Styx 

+1

I need a picture to see what the current scales look like.  Any cracks or chips?

[styx]

Well as you might have noticed, I don't put a lot of pics. The reason for that is that I forgot my camera in Switzerland with my family. I'll be getting it back in a week though.

I'll try to get a good one with my cell phone though. Until then here is a brief run down of some more noticeable problems:
- cellidor scale on the back is cracked, on the front it's got some deeper scratches so the Vic logo is barely visible    EDIT: the back might not be cracked, on further inspection it could be a very deep gunk filled scratch
- small blade looks warped
- large blade doesn't really have a tip any more (i actually tried fixing that before so now it's a bit better)
- corkscrew towards the tip seems a bit bent
- i'm yet to manage to open the awl
- can opener and bottle opener can be opened and give a full view to the wall paint, some kind of glue and a mix of metal shavings, WD-40 and motor oil combination that got dried out so it's a bit of a pain to remove

I don't mind the scratches on the metal since that gives it character

[Gareth]

Given the condition I'd retire it and buy myself a new one.  I feel this one has done it's duty and deserves a rest.

[styx]

Well if I retire it then a SAK with pliers will be replacing it

[ICanFixThat]

I voted for retirement, I'd love to do it myself, but I'd clean up the knife good so all tools are working. You can't have a awl that does not open.  That way when you com across the knife you can play with it a bit.

[Nhoj]

Retire it as is!

[Aloha]

Retire it as is!

It served you all well and now time for a rest.  I would however carry it on special occasions as is just for the sentimental value.

[Millhouse]

I would retire the tool.

[lowtech]

  Wouldn´t a Spartan without keyring and scale tools ratehr be a standard then a Weekender? I thought the Weekender was a serrated Spartan?

Anyways, if you should decide to restore it, i think i can supply a set of old scales without T&T compartment
(And maybe old  thicker blades, butI´d have to look that up)

[styx]

Thanks. I didn't really know anything about that SAK for quite some time. When I looked it up, all I could found was the Weekender and no mention of the serrations. Although you could be right.

[lowtech]

I wouldn´t have known if it wasn´t for SAKWiki which helped me identify my Weekender when I bought it used.

http://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Spartan

The biggest Problem with SAKWiki is that you can find countless variants you have never heard of and suddenly feel the need to find and own...

[styx]

well this is confusing but it's just a name lucky enough

[styx]

And it's done. So it will get retired. now to hunt for the next SAK

[lowtech]

I have an old Standard (Old shield, no Tweezer or Toothpick, no keyring). It´s used, but definetely there is life left in it.
So if you want to replace your knife with the same model, I would be willing to let it go - You send something in return, either something typical for your region or a small gadget. If you are interested, let me know.
I´d set trade value at about 5,- € max.

[styx]

Thanks. I'll have to see what happens on this trip first

[neillcurrie]

I did a more-than-I'd-hoped-for rehab of a Tinker (just switch your Corkscrew for a Phillips)a couple days ago. I like the results, and am carrying it now.
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,46721.msg763095.html#msg763095

[lowtech]

He did a very fine refurb. It´s worth a good look at!

[styx]

and I is back. hide the women and children, fathers of eligible women load your shotguns, beerdrinkers prepare your favorite mugs...

anyway the replacement seems to have solved itself. I found someone's lost SAK. it was on a bank between the middle of nowhere and close to the middle of nowhere. looks like bit like a cellidor scaled cadet with a small blade instead of the nail file. and it is close to what i had in mind

[kirk13]

And that my friend,is called karma

[styx]

I'd say so because it was partially covered with some horse waste (let's call it that). Judging by that I'd say it was there for a few days