Blade misclouring/discolouring

I

iBlade

Joined
Jul 24, 2008
Messages
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Looking at a few photos and I notice how you all seem to keep your blades nice and shiny and looking like new, now maybe some of them are safe queens, or photos you took when the knife had just arrived, but mine has definately changed colour somewhat with use.
I have chopped a lot of wet juicy vines and some harder wood, and when I get home I wash off the muck and polish the blade up again, then sharpen it, but I have noticed that some of the stuff I have chopped has left a very dark sap on the blade, and once washed and polished (with a rag/and or paper) it has stained the blade a little.
Turned it darker. almost like a rainbow mark on the blade, different colours on different light. Now this does not bother me much...but if there was some way or restoring my YCS to its former glory I would be interested, I have no power tools, just rags so nothing fancy but if you have any suggestions I am all ears, been thinking I might get a dremel...
 
Not all of us keep ours looking nice. If the thing is shiny like it was when it was new, then it is not being used much. Carbon steel (and most stainless steels) will not look nice if used on a regular basis.

Stains and discolorations don't really bother me. If I'm sending it someplace else, or it's really really bad, I'll scrub it down with a gray Scotch-Brite pad. The result is a satin finish that's reasonably attractive; more importantly, it's extremely simple to maintain.

I've often stated that the mirror polish on new HI's is a bad idea, at least for working models. It's much easier to put that first scratch/stain/rust patch on when there was already one present to begin with. I would not expect a splitting maul or a machete to be sold with a mirror finish, nor to maintain one during use. Why do we expect one here?
 
I've been using MAAS polish on my blades lately. It's a cream type polish that I get at Walmart, I forget the price, but it is not expensive, and a little goes a long way. I also have some Flitz that I use now and again, but the MAAS cream works just a little better, in my opinion.

Bill
 
sounds like you just got a patina on the blade. common with almost any carbon steels. it's a natural form of rust protection.
 
My recommendation: Simichrome polishing paste. Amazing stuff. Low grit.
You can also use it on your other knifes to polish out scratches.

Use Brasso on the metal hardware of your pommel and bolster. Simichrome is too coarse for brass. I used the Simichrome on brass to buff out some imperfections and file marks near the keeper on my CAK pommel.
 
Simichrome is a great product. Also great for blued gun. Gives a wet look sheen.

MrMike said:
My recommendation: Simichrome polishing paste. Amazing stuff. Low grit.
You can also use it on your other knifes to polish out scratches.

Use Brasso on the metal hardware of your pommel and bolster. Simichrome is too coarse for brass. I used the Simichrome on brass to buff out some imperfections and file marks near the keeper on my CAK pommel.
Click to expand...
 
MrMike said:
My recommendation: Simichrome polishing paste. Amazing stuff. Low grit.
You can also use it on your other knifes to polish out scratches.

Use Brasso on the metal hardware of your pommel and bolster. Simichrome is too coarse for brass. I used the Simichrome on brass to buff out some imperfections and file marks near the keeper on my CAK pommel.
Click to expand...

Brasso is some great stuff for anything metal (of course superb on brass). The toxic smell of it used to drive me nuts when polishing my belt buckles in the Marines... but damn did it do a fine job.

What's a good place to get Simichrome? I've never even heard of it. Do you apply it with a cloth and do the normal buff out with it or is there a special technique for that stuff?
 
I let my users look like users. :D

My Safe Queens I keep waxed. :)
 
John Shields said:
Brasso is some great stuff for anything metal (of course superb on brass). The toxic smell of it used to drive me nuts when polishing my belt buckles in the Marines... but damn did it do a fine job.

What's a good place to get Simichrome? I've never even heard of it. Do you apply it with a cloth and do the normal buff out with it or is there a special technique for that stuff?
Click to expand...

You can find Simichrome at ACE hardware or specialty hardware stores.
Lowes might have it but I didn't check. It comes in a small tube, USE SPARINGLY.
It lasts a long time. I would not use it near the kami marks on the tang. May actually rub them out over an extended time.
 
I don't care for the mirror polish, I am always happy to see it go.

I prefer a scotch brite satin. Like another poster said, it looks good and it's easy to maintain.
DSC_0224.jpg
 
If you have the time it can be done with sandpaper, by hand. Start with the highest grit that will remove scratches. If your lucky it will be 400. When entire blade is sanded with that grit, go to the next level. 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000. Dont skip any level or the scratches wont be removed. I have restored a few khuks that I decided to gift after testing. I started with 150 on more than one. This method is very time consuming, so inform your body of the pain your gonna put it through before you get started. I didnt, and my body still hasnt forgiven me.
 
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