Traditionals that have modern stonewash finishes?

Ski3223

Ski3223

Joined
Oct 10, 2013
Messages
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I'm into slip joints and traditionals. However, I don't carry them often because I have a crazy aversion to fingerprints. I dig the more modern Boker Cox Slim, with a modern clipless look in a slip joint/nailnick. The blade is stonewashed, which doesn't show fingerprints. If there are traditionals more like that GEC is making with a "fingerprint proof" finish I would be SOOOO happy. Any info?
 
Could also just use a Scotch-Brite pad on the blade, to give it a somewhat satin finish that'll reduce vislbility of fingerprints. Same could be done with some mid/high-grit wet/dry sandpaper.

Having said that, I just wipe my blades with some Windex on a paper towel each day, and/or after some uses, as needed. Takes fingerprints right off. This is a good way to clean up the blade anyway, and minimize accumulating stuff that'll contribute to rust, if left in place.

A patina can hide some fingerprints; sorta depends on the pattern, to some extent. If left on a carbon steel blade too long, a fingerprint can produce it's own patinated etch (or rusted etch) on the blade. This is why I wipe them down with the Windex. To some degree, I think visible prints on the blade keep me more aware of the blade's cleanliness, and encourage me to clean it up more often. I'd rather see them plainly and wipe them off, rather than hide them in the blade's finish, potentially leaving them on too long.


David
 
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Fingerprints will etch 1095 steel within a couple hours under certain circumstances. I give my blade a quick wipe after each use - just takes a second and it keeps the blade from getting all blotchy with prints. Over time as the patina develops you really don't even notice prints anyway.

Just use the knife, wipe the blade after use and keep a light coat of mineral oil on it and let it age as it will.
 
I second avoidspam, get yourself a carbon steel slip joint and get it all patina'd up :)
 
I keep a clear plastic tube on my dresser with one of those silicone type cloths that you can get about anywhere and at the end of the day when I'm going to bed, I typically give whichever knife I carried that day a quick wipe down.

This will not keep prints off during the course of the day, which I believe is more what you're referring to. As others posted, you can go with a carbon steel blade and get that nice patina going. Or perhaps search out a custom maker who may be able to help you out. I like the hand rubbed look as compared to the more shiny looking blades myself.

I'd be interested to know what you finally end up doing. A slip joint with stonewashed blades may be kinda neat. Dunno.
 
Thinking about it... I recently gave a D2 pocket knife to a friend which had a forced patina. D2 is often called semi-stainless and the forced patina looked almost stonewashed...
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1391726936.278130.jpg
Took this some time ago.
 
Not all traditionals have mirror polished blades. Case's working line quite often has "as ground" blades, meaning they leave it as it was when it was ground, unpolished, which is essentially a brushed satin look. Some of GECs Tidioute line have a satin or low-gloss finish, that may be what you are looking for.
 
Thanks so much for the replies! I used to have a GEC sleeveboard that I traded... I wish GEC made sleeveboards with 1 blade and an EZ pull like on some of the sunfishes. I just like the size of the sleeveboards a little more. Anyone know if they or anyone else makes some like this?
 
I was thinking of the 'as ground' finish too, Case uses it on their G10 line and Caliber plastic handle line too:

caseg10stock.jpg
 
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