Bringing back a little luster

S

snaggletooth501

Joined
Jan 20, 2013
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I've had this old Uncle Henry Pro Hunter since the late 70's. I recently got interested in the history of the old girl as I wasn't the first owner and it's seen some better days. It was damaged years back and the blade suffered some minor pitting. A coworker was able to remove the worst of the pitting but unable to bring the blade back to its orginal finish. I do a lot of wheel polishing and buffing on brass, chrome and aluminum on my bike restorations but really have no clue on what to use or do to bring the luster back on this carbon steel blade.

It has been one hell of a knife over the years. Seen a lot of miles of road, camping and hunting trips. Holds a heck of an edge. Just would like to dress the old girl up a bit.

Open to any and all suggestions.

Thanks



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I'd tape of the guard get a sanding block (or make one) start at 80 grit then sand until all scratches are gone then go up to 100 then sand all the 80 gritt scratches out 150,180,220 ect. start on the flats of the blade the main bevel then the swedge. Go up the grits until you get the desired polish.
 
Kinda hard to tell from the pic, but is the tang marked 'SCHRADE +'? If so, the '+' indicates it's a stainless blade (440A on older ones). And some early stainless versions weren't marked with the '+', which they didn't start using until about 1974. Stainless can still rust/pit, especially on knives that might've been put away for a long time in wet/humid conditions, or if exposed to salts/acids. More so, if stored long-term in a leather sheath. So far as I know, almost all of the Uncle Henry line has been stainless since early '70s, and maybe earlier.

At any rate, sanding with wet/dry paper (silicon carbide, such as with 3M/Norton brands) would likely be the best way to work out the heavy scratches. A tight grit sequence like 220/320/400/600/800/etc. will work best to eliminate the deep scratches. If stainless, it'll be a bit slower to work, but it'll still get there. Schrade's non-stainless blades were 1095 steel, which sands/polishes very easily, and to a great high polish at grits above 2000 or so. The 440A will polish nicely as well, but it'll just take a little more time.


David
 
Nope. No "+" on the tang, Just Schrade USA 171UH. No other markings other than the Uncle Henry and the SS# 20437 on the guard. It was damaged long ago when my wife had wiped it down and then wrapped it in a wet towel. I didn't find it until some pitting had already taken place. Got most of that dressed off but it never recovered it original shine.

I sat down today and ran through the grits from 150 to 1600 and it cleaned a lot. Still need to run it again working out the minor flaws still showing. It's coming along. Once I get the grits done I'll see what I can do on the wheel. Be nice to see that mirror finish again. As long as it don't turn into a knife throwing act it might turn out pretty well.
 
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