Scratched SAK handles

C

cardimon

Joined
Sep 20, 2000
Messages
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How do you restore scratched-up SAK handles? The ones on my Executive have taken a beating, and I was wondering if they could be polished up, or perhaps replaced. The catch is, this SAK has my company's logo affixed as a medallion under the Victorinox shield.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Craig
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by el cid:
I suppose you can try to lightly buff the scales. It's hard to keep a Swiss Army knife from getting scratched.</font>
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I swear that they come scratched! That way you never have to worry about using them and getting that first scratch!
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Marwan
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by mjoury:
I swear that they come scratched! That way you never have to worry about using them and getting that first scratch!
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You're right, it does seem that way. LOL. I own 4 SAK's and every single one of them has scratched scales, but it doesn't bother me any.
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by el cid:
You're right, it does seem that way. LOL. I own 4 SAK's and every single one of them has scratched scales, but it doesn't bother me any.</font>
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I have too many to count and I would swear that NOT ONE has arrived completely scratch free! I agree however, does not bother me any!



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Marwan
 
Yea, the plastic scratches really easily. I don't think there is much you could do about it. If it really bothered you that much, you could probably make carbon fiber or G-10 scales to replace them and find some way to put the company medallion in the new handles.
 
I've been told that polishing them with toothpaste works, but never tried it myself. Guess I'm with the other guy's in that I don't care if they are scratched or not. Dave
 
Daves right about the toothpaste idea. I use metal glow which is a lot like toothpaste but quicker and it works great in getting those scratches out. I also use it on the plastic face plates of my scanners and cell phones.



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Keith D.Armacost
"The wireless telegraph is not difficult to understand. The ordinary
telegraph is like a very long cat. You pull the tail in New York, and it
meows in Los Angeles. The wireless is the same, only without the
cat. " AE
 
Just tried some fine-cut car polish on one of my older SAKs and it does shine the handle up really well but leaves the larger scratches much more noticeable. I think the matte finish of the worn handles looks better than the shiny scratched handles. But if you want to try polishing go ahead. The handles will get that matte look in a few months of daily carry, especially in a pocket with change and keys.
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Dave Fortman

~Buck Collectors Club~
~Lifetime Member #736~
 
Go to the Wal-Mart Auto department, get some 1000 and 2000 grit finishing sandpaper.

Start with the 1000, and then finish to high gloss with the 2000.
This SHOULD leave your logo intact, if it's on there decently to start with.

Sit and watch the tube while you do it, it'll take some time.
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Tráceme no sin la razón, envoltura mi no sin honor
Usual Suspect
MOLON LABE!
 
I use a product available at our local "everything store" -- Fred Meyer. The product is called Mag-Chrome Aluminum Metal Polish and it's made by Eagle One. It's basically like jeweler's rouge. I used it to get the scratches out of my rather old and beaten up SAK, and it performed awesomely. It also works wonders on mirror polishing blades (use after 2000 grit sandpaper). It can actually match the mirror polish the factory puts on some my knives. I use it with my Dremel set on a very slow speed and a felt polishing attachment, but I'm sure you could get similar results with hand polishing.

[This message has been edited by Mark J (edited 05-05-2001).]
 
I remember someone recommending the use of alcohol. Tried to search but could not find the topic. I do not remember was it ethyl alcohol or propyl alcohol. Alcohol dissolves the cellidor so if you rub it for a short period it should remove the scratched surface. Try first with ethanol and on a small spot, maybe it will work fine. I have never tried, my plastic handled SAKs are mostly nylon ones with slightly rough surface: less slippery and less scratchy. These are the scales on the big locking Victorinox SAKs and on the so called Economy line of the middle sized ones. The Swiss shield is not a metal inlay however but only engraved.
 
Metal Glow is a polishing paste which I believe is distributed by United Cutlery . If you cant find it in your area you can order it from SMKW in TN. Ive tried a few of the others but this one is the best. Really does a great job of polishing or fixing those problem area's.
 
Thanks for the input, guys. Nice discussion.

I think if I try to "fix" the handles, I will probably simply make things worse.

I'll just learn to live with the Executive's new "matte" finish.

Maybe Victorinox should offer that kind of finish as an option.

Craig
 
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