I've come across several ground Rohms that look to be factory ground and it looks like the motto side was also redone. The crossgraining has been reapplied but it does not look quite like the original. In addition, the motto etch and burnishing still are deep and fully frosted. What kind of process could be used to reapply crossgraining without harming the motto? Could it be that the blade was actually re-etched? Comments appreciated. Gailen if you see this post perhaps you can provide some insight.

Suggest you contact Three Finger Louie - he did some magnificient work for my daggers following Katrina.

Mike... that's not my question. I would like to know about period work. Thanks anyway.

In the original process, I think it went this way:

1. Blank blade is semi-finished
2. Blade is acid-etched
3. "Burnishing" agent is swabbed on both sides.The burnishing agent not onlt fills the motto, the trademark and any inscription, but is also between the letters of the motto.
4. The "final grind" takes off the burmishing agent on the surface, leaving it in the motto, etc. It also leave those fine lines called crossgrain.

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When daggers were sent back to the factory, all the worker had to do was hold the back of the blade on that same grinding wheel for a few extra seconds and - presto- no inscription. Sometimes they got the trademark too

The from of the blade was not touched during this process.

Dave

Dave I am interested to see your proof that the motto side of the blade was not touched.

I wonder if measuring the width on a re-cossgained model vs a normal ground Rohm would indicate if the motto had side had been done? were blade widths mostly the same??

This Hammesfahr has been ground partially taking the trademark as you can see in this photo.

Same dagger. You can see that the motto side has been regrained but the motto remains with crisp edges and untouched burnishing. Unquestionably, some Rohms were reworked on both sides. I just would like to know what process was used. Bill Shea also has an SS Rohm dagger that he describes as having the crossgraining reapplied to both sides of the blade.

No proof at all, but the ground daggers that I think were factory reground show no signs of reworking the front of the blade. Why would they bother ?

I have seen lots of daggers that, because of the looks of the work done, I think are amateur jobs. Maybe those guys gave the front of the blade a pass as well.

Then there are blades that have been resurfaced in modern times to get rid of surface blemishes like rust or water stains and that would require that both sides be treated.

Then there are original blades that could have been humped up in modern times with a Rohm signature that were reground because the results fooled no one.

Dave

1. Blank blade is semi-finished
2. Blade is acid-etched
3. "Burnishing" agent is swabbed on both sides.The burnishing agent not onlt fills the motto, the trademark and any inscription, but is also between the letters of the motto.
4. The "final grind" takes off the burmishing agent on the surface, leaving it in the motto, etc. It also leave those fine lines called crossgrain.


I'm confused on the motto and other markings including trademarks.

How did they get etched in the blade? Something about a wax template?