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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: kidden6968 on September 22, 2012, 12:10:40 pm

Title: 11" long silverplated cake knife?
Post by: kidden6968 on September 22, 2012, 12:10:40 pm
I have a few things to post today.  All of these items were given to me last week by a dealer that was moving.  There are many more that I have enough knowledge about or can research, but several things have me stumped for one reason or another.

This knife I believe is silver plate.  Although it is tarnished the actual blade looks completely discolored.  I am just wondering whether this would be called a cake knife?  No serration at all - like a butter spreader but too long for that  LOL
Title: Re: 11" long silverplated cake knife?
Post by: kidden6968 on September 22, 2012, 01:29:38 pm
Also do you think this is mid-century - newer or older?

As always I appreciate the help!!! :D
Title: Re: 11" long silverplated cake knife?
Post by: bigwull on September 22, 2012, 04:35:15 pm
This is called a Palette knife.you would use it if you were spreading butter cream over a Victoria sponge cake, ..or it could be used in painting...for applying paint...instead of using a brush....but this one by the size of the blade..is most certainly for use in the kitchen... see link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palette_knife
Title: Re: 11" long silverplated cake knife?
Post by: kidden6968 on September 22, 2012, 04:37:15 pm
Ahhhhh frosting spatula!!!  Thanks Bigwull!!
Title: Re: 11" long silverplated cake knife?
Post by: greenacres on September 22, 2012, 07:34:49 pm
Yup! ;D Beautiful one though.
Title: Re: 11" long silverplated cake knife?
Post by: kidden6968 on September 22, 2012, 07:39:43 pm
I really need to get some good cleaner/polish.  I also have a silverplated teapot - just plain - nothing fancy and various other silverplated items that I haven't posted because of the tarnish.  The teapot is completely black and I have just read that newspaper is horrible for silverplate - guess what it was packed in for years?  Yup newspaper.  Who knew?  I didn't but I do now   ;D

Oh and ps - are there suggestions for silverplate cleaner/polish?
Title: Re: 11" long silverplated cake knife?
Post by: greenacres on September 22, 2012, 08:03:18 pm
Baking soda and boiling water put tin foil in the botton of large pot boil water and put in baking soda and then it bubbles throw in silver. Natural way to clean silver.
Title: Re: 11" long silverplated cake knife?
Post by: kidden6968 on September 22, 2012, 08:18:26 pm
Just on the bottom for tin foil?  Need a whole box of baking soda?
Title: Re: 11" long silverplated cake knife?
Post by: greenacres on September 22, 2012, 08:39:20 pm
No, just maybe a 1/2 cup. Play with it and see if you need more. The directions are on the internet.
Title: Re: 11" long silverplated cake knife?
Post by: kidden6968 on September 23, 2012, 05:33:31 am
Thanks greenacres - I will definitely try that   ;D
Title: Re: 11" long silverplated cake knife?
Post by: Evelyn on September 23, 2012, 03:40:03 pm
Just on the bottom for tin foil?  Need a whole box of baking soda?
Not sure of the specifics of the chemical reaction, but the baking soda makes the water alkaline and the aluminum foil catalyzes the silver sulfides in the tarnish into hydrodgen sulphide gas. If it smells like rotten eggs, you're doing it right. :)

I use maybe 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda per quart of warm tap water, and often leave it to soak overnight (but green's boiling water would give faster results). It works wonderfully to clean things that are black with tarnish, but I still use Wright's Silver Cream to when I want to "finish" the silver off to a high polish.
Title: Re: 11" long silverplated cake knife?
Post by: bigwull on September 23, 2012, 04:20:17 pm
Wrights Silver cream...is,nt just for silver...you can polish almost anything with it....including your false gnashers...

http://jawright.com/products/uses.asp
Title: Re: 11" long silverplated cake knife?
Post by: mart on September 23, 2012, 05:19:08 pm
Go with the Wrights Silver polish !!
Title: Re: 11" long silverplated cake knife?
Post by: greenacres on September 23, 2012, 05:27:35 pm
Not as messy maybe. I'm always for clean and easy.
Title: Re: 11" long silverplated cake knife?
Post by: Evelyn on September 23, 2012, 06:11:49 pm
Wrights Silver cream...is,nt just for silver...you can polish almost anything with it....including your false gnashers...

http://jawright.com/products/uses.asp
*Except* for copper, brass, & bronze. I've never tried it and so am not sure what happens, but it's recommended against on the label. (Weirdly, I've found that catsup works great for cleaning copper - although I have yet to try it on anything more delicate than a copper-bottomed cooking pan.)

(Wullie - you mean I'm not supposed to use Wright's for brushing my real teeth? ... maybe that's why everything's been tasting funny lately...)
Title: Re: 11" long silverplated cake knife?
Post by: Rauville on September 23, 2012, 06:25:04 pm
I'll have to put a plug in for my favorite polish...Nevr Dull Wadding Compound.

http://www.nevrdull.com/index.html (http://www.nevrdull.com/index.html)
Title: Re: 11" long silverplated cake knife?
Post by: kidden6968 on September 23, 2012, 06:27:00 pm
Ok liquid or creme?
Title: Re: 11" long silverplated cake knife?
Post by: kidden6968 on September 23, 2012, 06:28:48 pm
Ok liquid or creme was for the Wright's  LOL

Wadding cream?  Interesting.

Do both remove tarnish?
Title: Re: 11" long silverplated cake knife?
Post by: KC on September 23, 2012, 08:29:03 pm
Nevr Dull is a wadding (believe it is cotton gauze) that is treated with chemicals and sold in a can.  I have used it on many metals but don't personally care for it on my silver.
(http://www.nevrdull.com/wpimages/wpefd43e35.jpg)
http://www.nevrdull.com/ (http://www.nevrdull.com/)

I personally like Wrights or Goddards silver cream.  It does take a rubbing time...but the results are gorgeous!

Love your piece.  The handle is exquisite.  I am a big collector of silver pieces....and this one is an older one.  It is apparent it has been well used....appears that the silver plating has been worn on the blade and looks as if there is a little bit of pitting in the handle.  Would be interested if you had it tested if the handle is sterling or plate?   Silver dulls/tarnishes from exposure over time......lets see it after you polish.  (The best polish for silver is USE IT!!!  Don't just store it away!)

I would not advise any harsh chemicals since you already have some plate loss on the piece.