Any way to restore FRN scale finish after damage from falling?

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nerdlock
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Any way to restore FRN scale finish after damage from falling?

#1

Post by nerdlock »

Hello everyone,

So unfortunately one of my FRN Spydies (a Para 3 LW) fell about two and a half feet to the floor. Everything looks alright including the blade except for some scratches and tiny white gouges that cannot be seen unless really close and scrutinizing the knife. Is there any way to restore or repair the FRN? Any ideas would be appreciated.
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kennethsime
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Re: Any way to restore FRN scale finish after damage from falling?

#2

Post by kennethsime »

You could sand it with some fine sand paper if you want, just be careful not to take off too much material.

At the end of the day, FRN is a working man's knife handle. If the scratches don't detract from the utility of the knife, just keep on using it.
I'm happiest with Micarta and Tool Steel.

Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
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Deadboxhero
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Re: Any way to restore FRN scale finish after damage from falling?

#3

Post by Deadboxhero »

Just own it, marks of pride.
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dsvirsky
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Re: Any way to restore FRN scale finish after damage from falling?

#4

Post by dsvirsky »

One of my dogs briefly got hold of my K390 dragonfly and put some tooth marks in the FRN (fortunately, down by the lanyard hole). Sandpaper took care of smoothing out the rough spots, but there's a definite difference in the color where the FRN was damaged. Such is life.

Edit: After posting this, I got to thinking. If WD-40 will restore the color to faded G10, why not with FRN? Short answer, yes it works.
Last edited by dsvirsky on Wed Jan 20, 2021 8:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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embry386
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Re: Any way to restore FRN scale finish after damage from falling?

#5

Post by embry386 »

Might be able to use RIT dye after the sandpaper to get the color to all match again.
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JakeXman
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Re: Any way to restore FRN scale finish after damage from falling?

#6

Post by JakeXman »

Maybe rubbing some pivot lube or just generic oil on the scuff will help even the color out? Sometimes that works with G-10, if temporarily. What’s the worst that could happen?
Tenacious G10 PE, Tasman Salt 2 PE, Tasman Salt 2 SE, Yojimbo 2, KJ Endura 4 D.P.S. 15 VG-10, LadyBug K390, TKJ Jester 20CV, UKPK Salt, Crucarta PM2, 204 Sharpmaker
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araneae
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Re: Any way to restore FRN scale finish after damage from falling?

#7

Post by araneae »

Deadboxhero wrote:
Tue Jan 19, 2021 1:42 am
Just own it, marks of pride.
This.

Once you've scratched it, it's easier to use it like a knife.
So many knives, so few pockets... :)
-Nick

Last in: N5 Magnacut
The "Spirit" of the design does not come through unless used. -Sal
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chuck_roxas45
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Re: Any way to restore FRN scale finish after damage from falling?

#8

Post by chuck_roxas45 »

That's a pretty good reason to get a new knife. ;)
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Enactive
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Re: Any way to restore FRN scale finish after damage from falling?

#9

Post by Enactive »

chuck_roxas45 wrote:
Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:27 pm
That's a pretty good reason to get a new knife. ;)
Best response yet! :spyder:
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bearfacedkiller
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Re: Any way to restore FRN scale finish after damage from falling?

#10

Post by bearfacedkiller »

Enactive wrote:
Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:31 pm
chuck_roxas45 wrote:
Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:27 pm
That's a pretty good reason to get a new knife. ;)
Best response yet! :spyder:
An old pro. Makes me realize that we are not quite the enablers we used to be. :D
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bearfacedkiller
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Re: Any way to restore FRN scale finish after damage from falling?

#11

Post by bearfacedkiller »

I lost my HAP40 Delica in my recliner for a while and when I dug it out it had some small gouges in the frn. I didn’t do anything about it and in all honesty I forgot about it until just now. Life goes on, chicks dig scars, badges of honor and all that. ;)
-Darby
sal wrote:Knife afi's are pretty far out, steel junky's more so, but "edge junky's" are just nuts. :p
SpyderEdgeForever wrote: Also, do you think a kangaroo would eat a bowl of spagetti with sauce if someone offered it to them?
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Re: Any way to restore FRN scale finish after damage from falling?

#12

Post by James Y »

I know this isn’t answering the question, but...

As some others have said, just own those little dings. I have several Spydercos, in FRN and even one in SS, that have dings from being dropped. My first Military (in 440V) has a couple dings in the G10 from accidentally being pulled from my pocket and falling onto a rough-asphalt parking lot. My CRK Insingo became heavily scratched on the clip and part of the titanium scale from accidental impact on a rough street. IMO, it just adds to the ‘story of the knife’.

Sometime this year, I’ll be going in for another hernia surgery and will have another scar on my body, which will be permanent. IMO, scars are simply a part of life, on a body or on a knife.

Jim
JohnNYPD
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Re: Any way to restore FRN scale finish after damage from falling?

#13

Post by JohnNYPD »

Wear it as a badge of honor.
I enjoy looking at pictures on this forum of knives that have been carried & USED.
Those knives tell a story.

Pictures of pristine knives remind me of collectors that use their cameras more then their knives.

Knives like guns are tools & are meant to be carried & used. JMHO
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Xplorer
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Re: Any way to restore FRN scale finish after damage from falling?

#14

Post by Xplorer »

Of course some sandpaper anywhere in the 1000-2000 grit range will clean up the gouges and leave it looking and feeling nice if you really need to.

But for a knife, I look at scratches and other signs of use like I look at dirt on my mountain bike.. I say, "you can't buy 'em like that". Embrace the journey, be proud of the experience the wear marks indicate and go collect more proof of experience. :D
:spyder: Spyderco fan and collector since 1991. :spyder:
Father of 2, nature explorer, custom knife maker.
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