How to get this stuff off my blade?

Joined
Jan 24, 2009
Messages
131
Hey guys,

I bought a ZT 610ST automatic from my local knife shop the other day; only bad thing is, it was put in the case as a display model about a day before I bought it, and had a price sticker on the blade. It was nothing more than a piece of scotch tape with paper underneath it, but it left a noticeable spot on the blade. Its not sticky or anything; just a perfect rectangular shape where it was. I tried using a TuffCloth to put some oil on it, and tried buffing it out.....it didn't work. Its not really a big deal, but I can be OCD at times, and its driving me crazy. Any tips?

Heres a pic; its hard to see because of the flash, but its very apparent when looking at it. You can kinda make it out. It starts at the fourth serration from the handle of the knife. What can I do or do you guys suggest?

3535176546_496acaf9bd.jpg
 
I don't see it but you could try some acetone to remove it, but don't let it get on the handle, I don't know how G-10 or whatever the handlescales are will be affected by acetone.
 
I haven't noticed any problem using acetone on G10, by the way. I use it often to remove superglue residue on scales.
 
There's no residue left, its just like a stain of some sort....don't certain kinds of tape have an acidic adhesive in them? Maybe thats why its got that "stained" or faded look where the sticker was....
 
It could be fading from light exposure, kinda like taking a bumper sticker off a old car. Is the spot lighter or darker?
 
Its lighter.....its a perfect rectangle in the shape of where the price tag was....its like the adhesive on the price sticker was mildly acidic to the coating or something....nothing really noticeable, just bothersome to my OCD.....:grumpy:
 
Cut a bunch of cardboard and see if that evens things out.
 
If none of the solvents mentioned so far are working, it's probably that the sticker has been on the blade long enough to shield that area from oxidation.
Even if the blade is stainless (154CM ?), the chrome in it will form a thin oxide everywhere, except under the sticker...thus you get a sticker-shadow in the metal/oxide-film itself. Not much of a way to remove that, except buff the whole blade and even that may not fully work.

You might try a vinegar patina. Since chrome oxide is very 'tight' to the metal, it may protect those areas not under the sticker, but the sticker-protected areas may take the patina. Caution, however!, this MAY just change the color, lightness/darkness of the shadow and not really even it out with the rest of the blade. f you try this, go slow, checking every 10 minutes or so to see what effect its having.
 
Have you considered EDCing the knife? It looks very nice, but put a few nice scratches on it and it may calm you down a bit.
 
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