Great Attic Find, But Could Use Help

EBHM4

EBHM4

Joined
Nov 22, 2010
Messages
378
CaseLockback.jpg


Today my family and I were cleaning out our attic and we found this buried with some old photos. That is none other than a Case Lockback of unknown age that was given to my father with his initials engraved on it as a gift. Being that I'm the only one in my family who likes knives I of course get it! The only hitch is, as you can see, that the Brass has oxidized and there is some of the famous green gunk on there from unknown years in the attic. My question is how I can get rid of that without damaging the Brass underneath. I have no intention of selling the knife due to my father's initials being on there and thus it having familial value, but I do want it to look its best! Any help is appreciated.
 
Hi,
nice find!
the green gunk is natural brass oxidation that can and usually accelerates when touching leather and other moisture holding materials. Good news is, it will poish right off with some metal wadding, brasso, silver ware polish or even a little hot water and a rag and elbow grease. The cotton wadding is probably the cheapest and best way to bring a nice shine back to your heirloom.
Have fun!
 
Flitz,brasso,other metal polish should take care of it.There could be some pits under the green,but its not a big deal probably.Nice keepsake.They are easy to age id if you can get a good shot of the tang.Many here can tell you exactly.Its probably mid 80's.(just a guess)That would be a lightning style s and 5 dots.
 
The green stuff is verdigris and some of it will probably just wipe off. I wouldn't polish it. I'd just wipe it down with mineral oil... that might be what's in the "honing oil" bottle. But if you want to use a light polish, you might try Flitz liquid.
 
I used some silverware polish and it took it right off! Looks good now except the brass under it looks faded but that's to be expected after so long. Thanks for the advice guys and I'll try to post up a pic of the tang for ID soon.
 
Okay I just checked out the stamp and according to the logo style and the number of dots it's a 1984 model, officially 8 years older than I am! The engraving on it has my dad's initials and a Case logo on one the left side, then the Barq's Root Beer logo on the other side. From what my dad told me it was a gift from Barq's Root Beer during his time in the vending/soda distribution business. This piece has some history behind it and I'm definitely hanging onto it, especially now that it's looking nice and pretty. Thanks for the help guys.
 
Yeah, hang on to that puppy. Lube it up and wipe it down once in a while, and keep it as an heirloom. Your grandkids will be glad you did.
 
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