How To Strip finish of Condor Bushlore?

Minnesota Man

Minnesota Man

Joined
Sep 30, 2014
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848
The title says it all! I want to strip the clear finish off of my bushlore so I can force a patina on it. Any ideas on how to to this? Has anybody here done this before? I prefer to use a simple chemical. Any insite here fellas?
 
It's a bead blasted finish, presuming you're talking about a standard non-blank model. So sandpaper of various grits. It's a surface finish, not a coating, although there's a very thin clear coat applied at the factory.
 
You can use a paint stripper, many are sold in home improvement stores. A lot of folks like Citristrip since it tends to be a bit easier on handes.

That being said, if you have micarta slabs, then you don't have to worry about them being chewed up by anything. I use Jasco whenever I need to strip a micarta slabbed knife.
They make a Jasco that is a spray.
 
NJBillK said:
You can use a paint stripper, many are sold in home improvement stores. A lot of folks like Citristrip since it tends to be a bit easier on handes.

That being said, if you have micarta slabs, then you don't have to worry about them being chewed up by anything. I use Jasco whenever I need to strip a micarta slabbed knife.
They make a Jasco that is a spray.
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I've used something similar on a Scrade SCHF36 with TPE handles with great success. I have wood handles on the Bushlore. Will that negatively effect the handles?
 
Minnesota Man said:
I've used something similar on a Scrade SCHF36 with TPE handles with great success. I have wood handles on the Bushlore. Will that negatively effect the handles?
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I don't know if I would use Jasco on wood, but I haven't researched it.

Take a stroll through your local paint department and see what they have to offer. Worst case, tape off the handles and the last 1/8" before the handles and strip it. Once finished, remove the tape and scrape the finish that remains.

This should work and be safe. The reason is that as the paint strips, it will creep under the tape slightly. This should have the majority of the coating come off, while keeping enough of a buffer to keep the handle safe.

That being said, I would defer to FortyTwoBlades FortyTwoBlades experience with the brand instead of mine. Especially mine is based upon other brands, and he has handled many more Condor products than I have.
 
The clear coat is only there to seal the knife against moisture in shipping and storage and it comes of very easily with almost any solvent. Paint stripper isn't needed. Acetone, mineral spirits, rubbing alcohol, lighter fluid...they'd all work.
 
Should work fine, it's just harsher than what's strictly necessary. Won't cause any trouble, either, though.
 
Thank you that's what I had on hand. It's in the porch now it's been about ten minutes. With all due respect, this is internet after all.... Why was your opinion suggested? I mean no harm just genuinely curious. Are you the Condor go too guy? I am grateful for your help and I bet you've forgotten more about knives than I'll ever learn! Do you have tons of experience with Condor? Or the steel they use? I'm looking at buying more Condor products in the future. I feel that their sheaths (ok, I only own one) are worth the price of the knife! Like I said I'm not being negative or questiong you in any way! Thank you for your time kind sir!
 
Minnesota Man said:
Thank you that's what I had on hand. It's in the porch now it's been about ten minutes. With all due respect, this is internet after all.... Why was your opinion suggested? I mean no harm just genuinely curious. Are you the Condor go too guy? I am grateful for your help and I bet you've forgotten more about knives than I'll ever learn! Do you have tons of experience with Condor? Or the steel they use? I'm looking at buying more Condor products in the future. I feel that their sheaths (ok, I only own one) are worth the price of the knife! Like I said I'm not being negative or questiong you in any way! Thank you for your time kind sir!
Click to expand...
I'm not stupid lol auto correct is.....
 
I was one of the earliest folks promoting the brand (way back before I started my business), retail a lot of their products, and have a long-standing professional relationship with the company. Since I hand-inspect every item that goes through my shop and do minor customizations and upgrades to them, I have a greater-than-average experience level with their stuff. :)
 
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