Remove Patina but not GEC etch?

texmex03 said:
Is there any way to remove light patina on a GEC without removing the etch?

Thanks,
Click to expand...

I don't see how that would be possible. If I wanted to do something like that I would use blue painters tape cut in a shape of your choice to fit over the etch. For example, cut out a diamond shape that just fits over the etch and then flitz the rest of the blade.
 
Not really, they are both a form of corrosion on the surface of the steel. You can spot remove the patina with something like but there is not a certain chemical you can apply to the blade that would attack patina but not the etch...
 
The etch was never intended as a permanent fixture, it's just an advertising embellishment for a new knife, the same way a sticker might be on another product. If you are using your knife, it doesn't matter if you polish it or leave it. Total personal preference, to embrace etch + patina, or polish both off and maintain a relatively shiny blade. If you have a lot of knives and want them to remain pristine, with their original etches, the best thing to do is not to handle them much and keep them oiled, so there's less chance of patina forming. Once it forms it'll be difficult to remove it without also making the etch fainter.
 
I figured that was the answer. Hit that point on my Lick Creek 38 where etch is starting to fade where I open the knife and I hate that but I also hate knives sitting unused.

Thanks for confirming.
 
Never really thought about this much but this post got me thinking about it... I wonder if you could use a small amount of clearbra over the etch when a knife is new to preserve the etch. It's goofy sounding, I don't think I would do it because of the way I use my knives but I bet it would work. The clear bra material is a very thin plastic tape like material that is used on cars (usually the front) to protect against rock chips. I might give this a shot out of curiosity on my next user. I have used a clearbra on my last two cars and it's held up for years through car washes and environmental expose.
 
I have a Northfield Powderhorn Jack that I got used on the Exchange here. Great knife that had some patina from the prior owner (which I knew before I bought it, all good there).

I buffed off the patina using Simichrome paste and a soft rag, but it definitely lightened the blade etch. It's still there, but fainter.
 
Depending on the depth of the etch surface,,, I use the following on antique hand saws.
A flat piece of steel or plastic, glue some fine abrasive paper, this would abrade the knife surface but not impact the deeper etch.
Clean the swarf often to avoid it getting into the etch.

Regards,
FK
 
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