Gary W. Graley
“Imagination is more important than knowledge"
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Mar 2, 1999
- Messages
- 27,482
While this probably fits better in the 'maintenance' section, it deals more with the porch folks and an easy up keep for those things we carry without a lot of time spent. I like polished bolsters, they're neat 
but seldom remain polished and trying to keep them polished is a pain and scratches don't come off easily without removing a lot of metal and who wants to do that all the time?
SO, a while back, jeepers it's been years now!, I liked putting a brushed finish on my bolsters, they take abuse a bit easier, read scratches can blend in without standing out as much and not to hard to accomplish.
I use a small bit of Scotchbrite pad and the technique is to only move in one straight direction, don't be swirling around like crazy as that will make it look, well, swirly/crazy.
I put some painter's tape tight across the bottom of the bolster, this helps to keep you off the scale and any dust from getting into the mechanics of the folder.
Now the medallion or bar on this one is less prone to abuse from pocket carry as compared to the bolsters, so for me, I like keeping that ONE part mirror polished up. I use some green polishing compound rubbed onto the corner of a folded bit of napkin and carefully rubbing it smooth until polished up, wiping down with the clean section of the napkin to clear it up.
Now I know some of you guys and gals are not as particular about such looks and will find this totally unnecessary, and I think you're probably right and good on ya but the OCD in me just likes neat and tidy when I can. Hmm that reminds me, my wife wants me to clean up my area of the house....I'll get to that at some point
a before shot, this knife rode in my watch pocket, not bouncing around in a main pocket, but as you can see it gathered some carry marks even from that.
Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr
bit of Scotchbrite and painters tape
Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr
and here's the polishing of the bar/medallion using a napkin folded up tight and some polishing compound rubbed into it,
Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr
ending up with this, which makes a nice carry and as you can see, easily maintained. You don't have to do this very often, just when the mood strikes you.
Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr
G2
but seldom remain polished and trying to keep them polished is a pain and scratches don't come off easily without removing a lot of metal and who wants to do that all the time?SO, a while back, jeepers it's been years now!, I liked putting a brushed finish on my bolsters, they take abuse a bit easier, read scratches can blend in without standing out as much
and not to hard to accomplish.I use a small bit of Scotchbrite pad and the technique is to only move in one straight direction, don't be swirling around like crazy as that will make it look, well, swirly/crazy.
I put some painter's tape tight across the bottom of the bolster, this helps to keep you off the scale and any dust from getting into the mechanics of the folder.
Now the medallion or bar on this one is less prone to abuse from pocket carry as compared to the bolsters, so for me, I like keeping that ONE part mirror polished up. I use some green polishing compound rubbed onto the corner of a folded bit of napkin and carefully rubbing it smooth until polished up, wiping down with the clean section of the napkin to clear it up.
Now I know some of you guys and gals are not as particular about such looks and will find this totally unnecessary, and I think you're probably right and good on ya
but the OCD in me just likes neat and tidy when I can. Hmm that reminds me, my wife wants me to clean up my area of the house....I'll get to that at some point a before shot, this knife rode in my watch pocket, not bouncing around in a main pocket, but as you can see it gathered some carry marks even from that.
Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickrbit of Scotchbrite and painters tape
Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickrand here's the polishing of the bar/medallion using a napkin folded up tight and some polishing compound rubbed into it,
Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickrending up with this, which makes a nice carry and as you can see, easily maintained. You don't have to do this very often, just when the mood strikes you.
Untitled by GaryWGraley, on FlickrG2
