Cleaning up an old Buck Folder Knife

[TNplinker]

Hi, guys

My dad just gave me his old 70's era buck folding knife with the brass and wood handles, leather case, you know what I'm talking about, and the brass is kind of tarnished and dark looking. I'm wondering if it would affect the value of his knife if I got some kind of brass polish or cleaner and brightened it up. It's in great condition, and it's kind of thing I'll put in my safe and really take care of over the years.

Thanks

 

[hso]

polishing the brass won't hurt it at all.

Be careful to keep it off the wood since the polish can be difficult to get out of any scratches in the wood.

 

[ivankerley]

Buck 110

if its a 110 folding hunter, its a classic. Built like a tank too
Buck also does a spa treatment on their knives, not sure how much, but ive seen knives come back that looked brand new... If your inclined to do that Buck also has some of the best CS in the cutlery business. They have a company moderated presence on a knife forum i frequent, excellent people.
That being said i like it to look how it looks i dont really polish any of my knives including my 110, just carry it, sharpen it and enjoy them.
Enjoy that Buck
regards
gene

 

[Piraticalbob]

You can rub some boiled linseed oil into the wooden handles to rejuvenate them. Fine steel wool can be rubbed over the brass and even the wood to remove surface roughness and scratches. The leather belt pouch can be treated with shoe polish or mink oil. It should clean up really well.

 

[JoeDorn]

any one know where a nice tooled leather case for the this Buck classic can be found?

The belt loop on two of the standard scabbards has been worn through and after over twenty years of being my constant companion, I believe it deserves a up-level case.

BTW, I have never had to polish the brass caps, my usage keeps them shined. (I live in the country and have a lot of projects going.)

 

[CWL]

Here's my take on this heirloom knife from your dad:

He's had it since the 1970's and now it is yours, it is unique and valuable because it is part of your memories of your dad, it has no real monetary value- why would you want to polish it up so it looks like every other Buck knife? Why do you want to make it look brand new so it loses its uniqueness?

I have my father's knives (mostly basic Case knives), he took care of his tools, but they have the age, patina and use marks that show how he used and cared for them over his time of ownership. Now they're mine and I would never "cheapen" them by removing their distinctiveness by polishing them up.

To put it this way, IF you do fluff & buff all the character out of that knife so it looks brand new, what makes it special anymore? If you can't tell the difference between your dad's knife and a brand new one on a table, you've removed all the specialness from it.

I strongly suggest that you just wipe down that knife with an oily rag and leave all that aging completely alone. It will mean more to you over the years.

 

[1KPerDay]

I agree with CWL...

 

[hso]

For sheaths try Gary Wheeler or Lifter 4 Him or head to ebay and look at what's being offered.

 

[Piraticalbob]

A.G. Russell sells a nice one.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

A good Tack and Leather shop could replace the straps and polish your case up for your Buck. Some Shoe shops can do it too.

 

[hso]

If you do decide to polish the brass be sure to use a simple brass polish and a soft cloth and stay away from anything that will damage it.

 

[Coyote3855]

^^^ Yeah, Mother's Mag Polish from a auto or motorcycle shop. NO steel wool.

 

[hso]

Flitz or Brasso will clean up the metal easily.

I use Wenol.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I been using Brasso for 30 years but Mothers smells way better.

 

[hso]

Wenol is nasty by comparison to Flitz, but I still have the quart can I bought 15 years ago and I've not found anything better yet.