Cleaning bolsters on a 25th Ann. Delica?
Cleaning bolsters on a 25th Ann. Delica?
I recently got my hands on one of these. It looks like it has literally been sitting in the box its whole life. The bolsters look "dirty", I assume it's some surface oxidation. What's the safest way to shine them up? Can I just use the Nev'R-Dull wadding polish I use on my other stuff? Also, should I tape off or otherwise protect the bone that's in contact with the bolsters? Could the polish mar the finish on the bone? Any information will be much appreciated. :)
- greencobra
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- Jim Malone
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- smcfalls13
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Take from this thread:
http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.p ... t=damascus
A quote directly from the master...
http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.p ... t=damascus
A quote directly from the master...
He was speaking about Damascus blades in this post, but I assume this technique would work for the bolsters as well.Ed Schempp wrote:Spyderwa is right on. It really depends on the depth of the original etch. If the surface of the steel has good depth of relief then you probably won't rub out the pattern, but you will polish off the oxides on the surface. The dark oxide in the Damascus gives contrast and helps show off the steel. I usually etch very deep and then polish my Damascus, it is a more durable finish, but less contrast. Wiping the blade with a soft cloth and WD 40 will remove excess oxides and is good maintanance for Damascus Steel. If the cloth wides off oxides it will show on the cloth and the maintanance was necessary. This would be my first choice for Swede's problem.
If the pattern goes away or is rubbed out, then you can wipe the blade, when clean and oil free, with diluted 1 to 4 ferric chloride to H2O. Repeat until pattern is restored, this is a slow process. It is very important to neutralize or clean off the ferric and retreat with WD 40 when you are satisfied with the contrast. Ferric chloride is availible at Radio Shack as Printed Circut Board etch. You only need a couple of tablespoons of this mix for this process. Ferric stains stuff yellow-orange, like pants and shirts. Neutralize with baking soda or TSP...Take Care...Ed
:spyder: Scott :spyder:
"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."
-Sir Winston Churchill-
"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."
-Sir Winston Churchill-
- smcfalls13
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Nah, it's not too bad. What basically happens is the WD40 cleans the steel of any surface issues, and the acid is essentially bringing the contrast back to it's original state(or better) If I recall correctly, Damascus doesn't get that cool contrast until it's acid etched(not sure if that's the right term or not)Senate wrote:wow I hope it never happens to me, seems quite complicated at best! :o
The varying steels in the damascus react differently to the acid, some darkening(or lightening) faster than the others, hence the cool pattern.
I'd still wait to see if Ed Schempp chimes in, just to be 100% sure.
:spyder: Scott :spyder:
"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."
-Sir Winston Churchill-
"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."
-Sir Winston Churchill-