Aluminum handled knives stained blue by jeans?

[amg137]

So I acquired my first CA-legal auto last week (Protech Half-Breed), and I've been thrilled with the knife so far. However, after only 6 days of carry in my jeans pocket, I've noticed some apparently permanent blue stains showing up on the aluminum handle under and around the pocket clip. Scrubbing at the stains with paper towels seems to have no effect. Have any of you experienced anything like this and/or have any suggestions for removing the stains from the aluminum without resorting to abrasives? Having the knife covered in blue smears really dials back the classy factor and will probably result in me retiring the knife from carry duty (which was the only reason I purchased such a small auto in the first place).

 

[evanPGH]

I've had this happen with lighter colored kydex sheaths in the pocket. It rubs right off the kydex, however.

I would try a mild cleaner like windex or pledge to see if it'll lift the stain.

 

[amg137]

I've had this happen with lighter colred kydex sheaths in the pocket. It rubs right off the kydex, however.

I would try a mild cleaner like windex or pledge to see if it'll lift the stain.

That's a good suggestion. I'll give it a shot when I get home from work.

 

[grownstar]

You got a cool knife there. If you carry something it's gonna get marked up. I say life's too short so just enjoy the knife regardless of stains.

 

[evanPGH]

You got a cool knife there. If you carry something it's gonna get marked up. I say life's too short so just enjoy the knife regardless of stains.

This, if by some chance it doesn't come out, just enjoy it. Those stains are part of what makes it uniquely yours, nothing is perfect.

Also, if the mild cleaner doesn't work, you might try one of those Mr. Clean magic erasers. I've gotten all kinds of stuff out on various surfaces with it.

 

[amg137]

This, if by some chance it doesn't come out, just enjoy it. Those stains are part of what makes it uniquely yours, nothing is perfect.

Also, if the mild cleaner doesn't work, you might try one of those Mr. Clean magic erasers. I've gotten all kinds of stuff out on various surfaces with it.

I understand the argument about wear making a knife "yours," but I'm very OCD about my knives, especially the expensive and pretty ones. The hardest use I put them through is breaking down boxes every once in a great while, and as such I'm not used to seeing significant wear show up, especially in such a short period of time. I'm in grad school, so I don't have a lot of money and each knife is a major purchase. Seeing wear on one of my new knives is akin to what most people would experience seeing chips in the windshield or pain of a new sports car.

As far as other ways to get the stains off, I work in a chem lab so I think I'll try hitting it with some organic solvents before i use a magic eraser. Those tend to work great but they're more abrasive than they initially seem - I had one eat the finish off of some wood trim on a countertop once.

 

[moxie]

How about alternating wearing chinos? Or washing the jeans a few extra times to get any excess dye out?

 

[flugzeit]

I've had a similar problem with "raw" denim... and I'm totally with you on the OCD aspect and not wanting your pride and joy to look degraded. Now, I don't know if this will work on aluminium but I've used it with success on other handle material to remove denim stains: try a soft pencil eraser (the kind used by artists). Rub lightly with it and see if it brings any of the indigo off. The other question is if the colour is indigo or a synthetic dye. Pure raw indigo is not water soluble (although if it came from you jeans then it has been made soluble... but elements of non-soluble colour will still be present). I guess I'd be careful about resorting to any solvents. Hope this helps...