Case full size Copperlock modification

[HFinn]

I came across a Case Copperlock in a shop. I really liked the knife. The dark grey micarta handle, the size, shape and action. The price was very good.

But there is this huge Harley Davidson text on the blade. Is there a way to remove this without ruining the blade? Paint stripper? Sandpaper? Acid?

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

The logo is probably etched into the stainless (chemical/acid, electro-etched, etc). If you're lucky, it's not too deeply etched.

Would likely take at least some sanding to completely remove it. An alternative, in the near-term, might be to work it with some aluminum oxide metal polish like Flitz or Simichrome or Mother's Mag, maybe aided by a cotton buffing wheel on a powered device (dremel, bench buffer/grinder, etc). Compounds made for use on powered buffers, like white rouge, etc, are also good for such work (look for those labelled for use on stainless steel). That would probably fade it quite a bit, although maybe not completely removing all traces of it. But doing it that way would avoid the obvious alteration in finish produced by sanding it. That might be enough to live with it for a while, until you decide if you want to fully commit to refinishing the blade entirely.

 

[HFinn]

This is the knife. Not micarta, but G-10.

 

[popedandy]

Can you tell if the logo is painted on (it will stand proud of the blade) or etched? That will make a difference in how you go about removing it.

 

[HFinn]

I handled the knife in the shop and the logo felt coarce and slightly raised. Maybe painted?

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I handled the knife in the shop and the logo felt coarce and slightly raised. Maybe painted?

If you're lucky, maybe. All the simpler to test it with some metal polish, which should be aggressive enough to remove it.

That said, I'd be surprised if it was only painted. Some etched logos are finished or filled with some dark 'paint' (or dyed epoxy, etc) to add contrast, but still with some etching underneath.

 

[popedandy]

I handled the knife in the shop and the logo felt coarce and slightly raised. Maybe painted?

The reason I asked is because I had a Case stockman that had one of their limited edition, 1 of xxx blade markings that turned out to just be painted on and I have a Case canoe that is the same. I think others know more about it than I do, but based on my experience it might not be that difficult to remove. No guarantees, though.

 

[Henry Beige]

Sorry, I can’t advise you, but I applaud your instincts. If the Motor Company were still paying royalties for use of their branded accessories, there might be a reason to keep it, but there is no reason to give them free advertising.