To polish or not to polish?/ Early Christmas for me

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Phillip

Joined
Dec 25, 1998
Messages
568
I just returned from the local gun show where I found what I consider to be two great deals (correct me if I am wrong) on some balis
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I found an old Taylor Manila Folder, brass handles (grooved horizontilly and have 5 holes per handle)with "GOLDEN DRAGON" marked on the side. The knife is in excellent condition (considering I paid $35 for it) but I don't think it's NIB. The handles are slightly discolored, so I was thinking of polishing them with some Flitz. I don't want it to be highly polished, but I don't care for the darker dicoloration. Any advice on polishing it?
I may just polish the backside of the latch to see how it looks.
Oh BTW the other knife I got is a Benchmade 4" wee hawk, with stainless round skeltonized handles. Dealer said that it is an entry level custom, and I paid $150 for it. He threw in a Benchmade custom leather Bali Song sheath (new in bag) with the knife. The blade is numbered 0585 just above the Bali Song Butterfly logo.
Any help on that one. My bali knowledge is pretty limited. It is not quite like my BM 44 in that the handles on this one are a bit more rounded, the stop pin is much bigger, and a few other minor diferences. Any help appreciated.
 
Wow, sounds like you really picked up some winners! Correct me if I'm wrong, but polishing with flitz is not really polishing, but more simply a light metal cleaner. I don't think a little flitz could hurt on the handles, but don't take my word for it.
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I've never heard of "entry level customs," its kind of a oxymoron in itself. If you give us a little better description we might be able to help out more.

One last thing, those BM leathers sheaths are pretty rare and valuable. Nice free gift!
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Dave

My collection
 
Thanks Dave! I will try to post some pictures later. Right now I am having fun playing
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The big problem with polishing the handles is that you'll never get it to look "right" That knife is about fifteen years old and it needs to look like fifteen year old brass. Fifteen year old brass is not going to be bright and is going to have slight discoloration (it's called patina). If you polish it, any knowledgeable person will recognize that the handles are not in original condition. Once that is established, it calls everything else about the knife into question. So, if you bought the knife for its collectible value, don't ruin it by polishing.


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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
 
I have a manila folder and keep it polished. If you want it to look good for yourself, polish it up. If you want it strictly for collectable value, I'd follow Gollnick's advice. By the way, never-dull polish works really well and it is totally non-abrasive. Take care.

Steve
 
Thanks for the info guys. I did clean up the latch and base of the handles. I decided to do a small area in case I did not like the way it looks. Well, it's a good thing that I did not do the whole knife. I think it would have lost it's charm.
 
if there was such a thing as a pre production BM45 that woudl be it sir. I have had one of those come thru my hands.. it had a mirror polished blade. It was weird.. and had one, that had a satin finsh blade slip my fingers leaving me in tears (and a reason to go to NC to visit a friend/rival
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overall you got a good deal in wonderland.. I salute you.

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<A HREF="http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~soo/balisong/balisong.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~soo/balisong/balisong.html
</A> If you play with love you will be heartbroken; if you play with knives you will [bleed]


 
Sounds like you got a great find.

Hey S,
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[This message has been edited by bfett (edited 12-18-2000).]
 
Sniperboy, I knew it was a good deal when the dealer told me the price. The hardest part was controlling myself when I told him I would take it, so as not to arouse any suspicion.
bfett, what number is yours?
 
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