Restoring the Luster to my GEC #15 Boys Knife

Pjake

Pjake

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I have a GEC Boys Knife that got a small shallow ding in the ebony. I took some 400 grit sandpaper and gently worked most of the streak out. Sanded the other side for uniformity. Wood loss was minimal, but now the ebony has a dull appearance.

Any suggestions as to how to get that original GEC luster back onto the scales? Polyurethane? Acrylic based, water based, or otherwise?

Would anyone know what GEC uses to finish their scales?

Thanks,
Peter
 
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I may be mistaken, but Scott Gossman has told me to give a couple coats of Minwax to wood handles. I have yet to try it myself, but I watched him bring a knife back to a really nice shine with the Minwax. I need to take care of my Charlow and #15, to brighten them up.
 
Here are a couple of pics. thanks!

With the Eureka...

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With Eureka and the Calf Roper...

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Peter
 
silenthunterstudios said:
I may be mistaken, but Scott Gossman has told me to give a couple coats of Minwax to wood handles. I have yet to try it myself, but I watched him bring a knife back to a really nice shine with the Minwax. I need to take care of my Charlow and #15, to brighten them up.
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Renwax should work fine too, I use it to bring my leather shoes to a shine:D.
 
It's clearly ruined. I'll take it off your hands :)

You can try a much finer grit of sandpaper and it should polish that up easily. Something along the lines of 2000 grit.
 
gooeytek said:
It's clearly ruined. I'll take it off your hands :)

You can try a much finer grit of sandpaper and it should polish that up easily. Something along the lines of 2000 grit.
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I've done it with 0.5 micron finish and I still don't see that level of gloss on wood, so I would say the wax is providing most of that shine.
 
What works better for me with wooden handles is a drop of linseed oil and then some wax (carnauba more shiny than bee's) worked in with a cotton rag or even better a buffing wheel
 
Personally, I think it looks great as it is but you might spruce it up a bit by rubbing some mineral oil into the covers or a light touch of black Min-Wax.
 
Um, it might have been Renwax? I really should ask him before I go quoting him. Either Renwax or Minwax, it did a great job.
 
Great everyone... Thanks for the input. I'll try a finer grit and then oil & wax.

Peter
 
I wouldn't try to polish it up with superfine sandpaper instead of giving it a treatment like minwax or the like, it will be susceptible to swelling from water if left unfinished. I really like the dull look though, it looks sleek.

Connor
 
ConBon said:
I wouldn't try to polish it up with superfine sandpaper instead of giving it a treatment like minwax or the like, it will be susceptible to swelling from water if left unfinished. I really like the dull look though, it looks sleek.

Connor
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Depends if it's stabilized and if you oil it, since oil repels water.
 
Ebony does not need (and won't take) stabilizing.
The factory finish is done by buffing on a buffing wheel. You can use 0000 steel wool to refine the 400 grit finish, then use Simichrome polish on a rag in "shoe shine" fashion to polish the ebony.
Then, a coat of wax will help.
 
thanks....we now have a direction to remedy! Thanks for all your input!

Pete
 
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