I bought a CS Bolo machete yesterday, finish was "tool" like , meanin a dull horrible black "baked on" finish. The blade has a large sticker on it "made in SA". I decided to take the sticker of but this was difficult. So after reading a reply i used nail polish remover to remove the sticker. The sticker came of , but so did the black "baked on" finish 
So i had a black blade with a large spot of bare metal on it! So i decided to strip the whole black finish off with the nail polish remover. Afterwards i polished the blade,and sanded the sharp edges of the handle. Then i sharpened the blade on my sharpmaker. I now have something i consider more traditional looking as how i bought it. It is very sharp, but i don't think it will hold it's edge long, due to the inferior steel used. But it turned out nicer then i thought so all i am pleased with the result. DON'T USE NAIL POLISH REMOVER TO REMOVE ANYTHING AROUND KNIVES! 
So i had a black blade with a large spot of bare metal on it! So i decided to strip the whole black finish off with the nail polish remover. Afterwards i polished the blade,and sanded the sharp edges of the handle. Then i sharpened the blade on my sharpmaker. I now have something i consider more traditional looking as how i bought it. It is very sharp, but i don't think it will hold it's edge long, due to the inferior steel used. But it turned out nicer then i thought so all i am pleased with the result. DON'T USE NAIL POLISH REMOVER TO REMOVE ANYTHING AROUND KNIVES! 