Brass Bolsters Driving Me Nuts!

C

Confederate

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Sep 5, 2005
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Several knives -- mostly Bucks -- with brass bolsters are driving me bonkers because they're oxidizing. Is there any way to stop this?

Using knives usually prevents this, but I just find I'm not carrying them much these days. Can I prevent the oxidizing by applying Breakfree or Vaseline? What's best?

Thanks!
 
Ren wax or another high quality paste wax will slow it way down.
 
What?!? You mean you didn't perform the magical incantation over them when you got them? Boy, you're in big trouble now. . . . :)

Yeah, Ren Wax works; otherwise get a tube of Flitz, Simichrome, or something similar and learn to love polishing.
 
Confederate said:
Several knives -- mostly Bucks -- with brass bolsters are driving me bonkers because they're oxidizing. Is there any way to stop this?

Using knives usually prevents this, but I just find I'm not carrying them much these days. Can I prevent the oxidizing by applying Breakfree or Vaseline? What's best?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I would try a clear lacquer, or a humidity controlled environment.

Marion
 
I just got through polishing them. Will try the wax. The only incantations I uttered were when I saw how badly they had corroded.

Why does Buck use brass, anyway? I guess it's the same reason it still uses 420HC steel for its blades.
 
Confederate said:
Why does Buck use brass, anyway? I guess it's the same reason it still uses 420HC steel for its blades.
Click to expand...

Because it works and it looks nice. You say it like it's a bad thing. Not everything has to be super modern, space age materials to just as good a job. The stag and (I assume) 1095, who knows how old, Ka-Bar stockman in my pocket right now will attest to that.

IMG_0201.jpg

What about brass and S30V?

Just keep it clean and don't store it in the leather sheath and it shouldn't tarnish too badly. And if it does, just polish it every now and then and move right along.
 
Some of us actually prefer the warmth and "old-timey" qualities of brass (and stag, and wood, and so on). If you don't, there's certainly no shortage of things out there in synthetics.
 
It is brass...it requires maintenance just like the edge. :)
 
I gave up on brass bolsters a long time ago. Id polish them up with flitz to where I could see myself in them. a few days later they'd be dirty and leave that nasty dirty brass smell on my hands. My 110 is now a safe queen. Wouldn't mind one of those new 110s with the ecolite handles though...
 
I have an Eye brand folder with main blade & saw blade along the lines of the Buck 110 pattern, got it in 1975.
The brass has aged, I've never done a thing to preserve it, never will. Couldn't care less for shiny brass on knives.
Am I not understanding the problem? :)
Denis
 
My experience with brass is that it oxidises in matter of days. Our hands are also full of dirt, acids and such wich only amplify the darkening. You may also consider creepy leather gloves. :D
 
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