Nickel Silver always gets scratched up!!!

Walking Man

Walking Man

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I've noticed that on my Case knife (bolsters), and on the guard of another knife that is practically unused, that the nickel silver looks all scratched up and I just can't seem to keep it shiny. Unlike steel, polish seems to take the scratches right out, but I'd rather not polish it all time if I can help it. Does any one have any suggestions or similar experiences?
 
My buck bolsters always did that. I decided to stop caring. I used to be very picky about how my knives looked, and it was stupid of me.

The sheath for the buck was an awful design.
It was leather with a button, and when you'd push the button the inside of the button imprinted the bolster...oh well.

You could try some emery paper, but remember, it's a tool, not a piece of jewlery.
 
Kneck knives are jewlery :)

Get a 10 dollar old timer at wal mart and beat the **** out of it without caring lol.:p

And just store the MOP case in a velvet lined box for all eternity.
 
Nah, the more time I spend polishing, the less time I spend buying..... Hell, maybe I should buy more Nickel Silver knives...... LOL..... (or not....)
 
I have knives with NS and brass bolsters that get scratched up and tarnished. What works for me is to polish them up with some metal glo polish and coat them with Rennaisance Wax. I've found that this treatment is very protective and will keep your knives from scratching as easily....

BTW, on most of my knives I just call the scratches "character". Even the "pretty" ones!
 
I´ve used a fingernail polishing file (often found in ladies purses but don´t just borrow one as it will get quite ugly after use and ladies don´t seem to like that), it works fine but is not worth it in a user, it´ll get scratched again, just live with it, think of scratches as "character marks" as AntDog says.
 
I hear you Don. Here's how I think of it.
Every time you sand, you're revealing a new level of metal, correct?
And every time a new level is exposed, it gains scratches.
If you never sand, the top level will get beat up, but if it gets too bad you can always go to the bottom level over long amounts of time.
The scratched layer is just a shield, so don't keep sanding or else you'll ruin the REAL layers :)

In short: Sand=Bad, Scratches on top layer=good, so don't sand!

:cool: :cool: :cool:
If only I knew that before I i made my SAK explorer blade a mess...egh....
 
NS is tough material, thats why its used for fittings. It was used as a "cheaper" and stronger alternative to sterling silver, but the tarnishing effect is also supposed to mimic sterling silver to a degree and IMHO gives NS that "patina" and a slightly old-world charm. But NS can't take a real mirror polish and hold it.

Many makers now use 416SS for fittings because it doesn't tarnish at all pretty much and takes that beautiful polish. But everything scratches. If you polish something, any dings will stand out like a sore whatever...

Something mentioned before has theoretical merit. If the surface is all bashed up (and you don't care) it could be in effect work-hardening the surface and making it more durable. I've never worked with shot-peining or bead blasting NS to see if it helps prevent abrasion.

Anyway, I'd live with it...Jason.
 
Mate, If you really want to avoid scratches make
yourself a very soft leather pouch to slide your
knife into. A lot of hi dollar dress knives come
with a soft pouch ment to cover the knife while
in the pocket.

As far as sanding the bolsters.....DON'T:eek: :eek:
 
Originally posted by Walking Man
I've noticed that on my Case knife (bolsters), and on the guard of another knife that is practically unused, that the nickel silver looks all scratched up and I just can't seem to keep it shiny.
Click to expand...

This is one reason some of the better makers will recommend stainless steel for the bolsters.
 
Hey folks, when I say practically unused I mean it. I keep them in pocket by themselves. It's like they spontaneously appear!!!
 
I have quite a few switches from the 50's when nichol was used and none of them are scratched . Simi-chrome soft rag and you can see yourself in the bolsters.
EJ
 
Originally posted by Walking Man
Hey folks, when I say practically unused I mean it. I keep them in pocket by themselves. It's like they spontaneously appear!!!
Click to expand...

Scratches will do that. I have a very nice folder by A.T. Barr with black lip pearl scales and titanium bolsters that is my "work" knife. It travels in the right front pocket of my suit and I never carry anything else in that pocket. There are scratches on the bolsters.
 
The nickle-silver on my Case and Buck slipjoints seem to get much more beat-up looking than on my Schrades and Camilluss's. Not sure if nickle-silver is heat treated or not, or why the Schrades don't show dings as much. I use my Schrades alot more than my Case or Bucks, too.

As for keeping them nice, I use Brasso on my slipjoint bolsters, makes them all look really nice! I like the idea of the leather slipcase, but haven't gotten around to trying one yet.
 
I've always thought that worn, scratched nickel silver bolsters looked real nice with the patina of age and use.

My schrade uncle henry bolsters were looking really weather worn when I put that one away and started carrying linerlocks years ago.

Gives the knife character like my grandads used to have.

Brownie
 
You can actually "heat treat" nickel silver. Its actually the other way around. You can apparently work-harden it. This is unfortunately how it often comes from the factory - it is TOUGH and a BAST*** to work with. You can soften it by heating the piece to red hot and quenching it in water. Its the opposite of steel. I don't know if this is correct but it works for me - the result is a more user-friendly piece of NS to work with.

Maybe this is what is happening with the different makers - some use it "hard" and some use it "soft."

I have no idea how to accurately harden NS. Jason.
 
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