Hand polished Karve

[Bicep123]

You can see scratches on the top cap in the light.

Yes. I'll probably cut it back further with some high grit wet and dry once bunnings reopens, see if I can get those out.

 

[Gargravarr]

That seems to be completely the opposite of conventional wisdom!

Not saying it is wrong, just the opposite!

More research needed - better see if I can track down the old disccussion ...

Occasionally when I need to access stone polishing wheels, this local jeweller is kind enough to let me use hers, and the toothpaste hack is one I learnt from her. Years ago, I found it was sometimes good for polishing scratches out of CDs.

 

[Holiday]

Could have been Matt from Razor Emporium in this video.
#9 No Metal Polishes

 

[Mark1966]

Could have been Matt from Razor Emporium in this video.
#9 No Metal Polishes

Nope, it was a discussion thread YKW - but this is good

 

[Chad]

I don't buy into the no polish mantra.

Here a 100 year old Gillette Old Type that arrived in poor condition. After a dish soap soak and gentle polish with autosol and soft buffing cloth.

https://flic.kr/p/2kYoPdN

 

[DougW]

I don't buy into the no polish mantra.

Here a 100 year old Gillette Old Type that arrived in poor condition. After a dish soap soak and gentle polish with autosol and soft buffing cloth.

https://flic.kr/p/2kYoPdN

I'm the same BUT I scored a Gillette Double Ring and case earlier this year, in very good condition except the silver plating has tarnished into an excellent looking gun metal colour. A part of me would like to see the silver but the 'gun metal' finish looks special - so I'll keep it like that.

 

[Chad]

I've got no regrets bringing back a common old type BUT thing the patina of a double ring is sacrilege! That's a fine score.

 

[Mark1966]

I'm the same BUT I scored a Gillette Double Ring and case earlier this year, in very good condition except the silver plating has tarnished into an excellent looking gun metal colour. A part of me would like to see the silver but the 'gun metal' finish looks special - so I'll keep it like that.

I've got no regrets bringing back a common old type BUT thing the patina of a double ring is sacrilege! That's a fine score.

Nah! Do the baking soda and aluminum thing and get razor shiny and new!

 

[DougW]

Nah! Do the baking soda and aluminum thing and get razor shiny and new!

Hahahahahahaha maybe one day

 

[borked]

Most toothpastes contain a grinding agent equivalent to 1200 grit. You can use it to polish gemstones. (It works quite well.) The abrasive additive in Brasso is approximately equivalent to 6000 grit, so a lot finer.

Curious as to how you came about that info.
Have a few other items I'm curious about.

 

[Gargravarr]

Curious as to how you came about that info.
Have a few other items I'm curious about.

About the toothpaste, I got that from the jeweller I mentioned. I can't remember where I read that about the Brasso. My point was really that for something made of solid brass, such as the Karve, there's nothing to fear from using a compound made for the job.

 

[borked]

About the toothpaste, I got that from the jeweller I mentioned. I can't remember where I read that about the Brasso. My point was really that for something made of solid brass, such as the Karve, there's nothing to fear from using a compound made for the job.

Thanks for the reply.
If still in contact with the jeweller, do you mind inquiring what other cheap and readily available compounds they recommend and whar their grit rating is?

 

[Holiday]

Thanks for the reply.
If still in contact with the jeweller, do you mind inquiring what other cheap and readily available compounds they recommend and whar their grit rating is?

Is it because Brasso is also a Solvent and may be more abrasive even though not as high a grit?

 

[Gargravarr]

Thanks for the reply.
If still in contact with the jeweller, do you mind inquiring what other cheap and readily available compounds they recommend and whar their grit rating is?

Sure, I'll be happy to.

Is it because Brasso is also a Solvent and may be more abrasive even though not as high a grit?

Yes, and not quite. Brasso smells of ammonia, so I expect that's the main ingredient. Most of its reaction would be with the copper oxides CuO and possibly to a lesser extent Cu2O. Remember, it takes off the oxide, not the metal. I expect there's also something in the product that retards further oxidation to a limited extent, and maybe something to act as an optical "filler". It does produce a very nice looking finish.