Old Fishing Lure Questions

Question

Keen Kicker   Dear Mr.Robert Vermillion,

I enjoy metal detecting as a hobby and yesterday I was out in the water and unearthed a lure called "Keen Kicker" manufactured by a company called H O Kuehn.  There is not much information online about this lure other then it was manufactured in Detroit and it is somewhat rare.  That is about all I know about this lure.  No telling how long it has been in the water, I'm worried about the wood top portion of the lure.  I'm afraid the wood is waterlogged and I would like to know how to preserve it so it don't crack.  The lure is in pretty good shape other then it has some sand in the movable legs.  I'm hoping to be able to sell it some day and I was wondering if it would be worth my while to have it restored or leave it as is for some other collector to restore?  What's your take on this?  Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Greg Sepanski


Answer
Greg

You have a nice lure, its one of the tougher lures "Frog collectors" and "Miscellaneous" company collectors want to add. I have to check if there were any NFLCC club articles on Kuehn. But it was made in the

Restoration of paint on lures lowers the value quickly. The only restoration that is tolerated is replacement of metal parts, hooks, screw eyes, glass eyes with original parts from other lures.

I keep my collection in a room with humidity controlled to ~50%. If the humidity changes they tend to expand and contract and crack etc. I would probably let yours dry to a 50% humidity environment.

In near mint condition they sell in the $600-800 range.....down a bit in the last few years. I would grade your lure as poor, with paint issues, looks like cracked eyes. However, the metal looks decent.

I think your lure has value in the $100-200 range...

regards

Bob


send me some more photos to [email protected], I will check on articles.