Buck 110 brass questions

C

CodeArmadillo

Joined
Nov 19, 2014
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105
Hey guys, so a while back I was cutting some rope with my Buck 110 and happened to see some shiny silver on the brass. There are two spots of silver, one the size of a dull pencil point and one streak about a half an inch right across the bolster. I was wondering why this is happening and if there is a way I can fix it. I also have a nice rustic look of tarnish on the bolsters, so the shininess is very noticeable. Thanks
 
I've never heard of this before. Why not post on the Buck forum on this website . There are lots of knowledgable Buck collectors that post all the time ,I'm sure someone will help you out.
 
Well that's the questionable thing about Buck's brass...is it a lower level grade of brass or is their polishing work at the factory an issue.I've bought 110's and 112's and can't bring back a luster on the bolsters.Either this is Buck's intention for them to 'instantly antique' or question of the metallic alloy used.I've had my Schrade USA lockbacks going back as far as 25 to 30 years and they're still holding their luster with a little brasso...Buck's brass just can't be serviced.Sorry I don't have an answer to the silver exposing...maybe Buck is using zinc these days with a golden lacquered anodizing...hmm.
 
Frotier76 said:
Well that's the questionable thing about Buck's brass...is it a lower level grade of brass or is their polishing work at the factory an issue.I've bought 110's and 112's and can't bring back a luster on the bolsters.Either this is Buck's intention for them to 'instantly antique' or question of the metallic alloy used.I've had my Schrade USA lockbacks going back as far as 25 to 30 years and they're still holding their luster with a little brasso...Buck's brass just can't be serviced.Sorry I don't have an answer to the silver exposing...maybe Buck is using zinc these days with a golden lacquered anodizing...hmm.
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I haven't had any problem polishing the brass back up, although I seldom bother. As far as lacquered anodizing is concerned - no, I don't think so, and you owe me for the coffee I spit out when I read that and started laughing j/k

For the OP, I'd follow redcanoe's advice and post on the Buck forum. You could e-mail the company, but the guys on the Buck forum are pretty knowledgeable.
 
Well the first time I had this heavy tarnish experience years ago was with a 112 Ranger.I was carving wood with it for about 4 hours on my deck and noticed my hand perspiration literally rendered it deeply tarnished.Not a single spot of shiny brass except where my hand did not contact the brass.Came across that while cleaning deer with a 110 and my thumb resting on the bolster face.As I mentioned before I never had that happen with any other brass bolstered knife.As far as coffee you got it(laughing) as long as it's not Starbucks!:cool:
 
Frotier76 said:
Well that's the questionable thing about Buck's brass...is it a lower level grade of brass or is their polishing work at the factory an issue.I've bought 110's and 112's and can't bring back a luster on the bolsters.Either this is Buck's intention for them to 'instantly antique' or question of the metallic alloy used.I've had my Schrade USA lockbacks going back as far as 25 to 30 years and they're still holding their luster with a little brasso...Buck's brass just can't be serviced.Sorry I don't have an answer to the silver exposing...maybe Buck is using zinc these days with a golden lacquered anodizing...hmm.
Click to expand...

Boy, I've really got to disagree with you on Bucks brass. I own many Buck 110's of all ages and have never had one that didn't polish up nicely. I used to use Mother's but the current can on the desk is Blue Magic. The worst were always the ones stored in their sheaths for a long time, almost black from the tannic acids in leather. I never machine polish, just 3" cotton gun patches and hand rubbing. They always come out beautiful.

IMG_1863Mothers.jpg
 
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My Buck Knives are all easy to put a shine on them. I like mother's also. Brasso doesn't quite do it for me. Having said that, brass can tarnish easily. Especially from the oils from off your fingers. All uncoated brass will tarnish. I think the worst looking finish I have seen on brass is when lacquer is used and it starts to wear off. Then you have to work like crazy to get the rest of the lacquer off so it looks decent again. I don't mean Buck knives though, I have never seen lacquer used on them.
 
I like using semi-chrome polish. I've never had an issue bringing the brass on my 110's back to a high gloss.
 
I work in the autobody industry and use a polish designed for paint on the brass and it cleans and polishes them up to look like new. Never had a problem polishing them except that some took more elbow grease than others.
 
What's up with everyone talking about polishing their brass? I was talking about the silver color under the brass that is coming up.
 
Brass is an alloy and most brass now is recycled (per Wikipedia). Could be that there are flecks of another material in the brass.
 
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