Uneven patina on 110 brass?

TAH

TAH

Joined
Jul 3, 2001
Messages
6,135
Over the last few months, I have been letting the brass on my 110 naturally tarnish to give it that aged, old look. After I handle it, I always wipe off the brass so it won't leave finger print marks in the tarnish. Here's the strange part - the brass is not tarnishing the same on the front and rear bolsters. The front bolsters have this beautiful dark golden color. The rear bolsters have this funky rainbow hue that I don't particularly like. Obviously, the front and rear bolster is the same piece of brass on each side. What's going on??? :confused:


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I've seen that rainbow color on brass too as is shown in your photo. Though I'm not sure what causes it. DM
 
Perhaps when held your hand is making more and prolonged contact with the rear bolster than the front?
 
Yeah, I would guess that your hand is making more contact with the rear bolster.
 
I don't think so. For the first few weeks, I made a conscience effort not to handle it, so the patina would form evenly. The rainbow hue began to appear during this period. I'm thinking about polishing all the brass and starting over.
 
If I start over, does anyway know a good way to force a quick, even patina on the brass? Here's a trick I found on the internet. Seems gentle enough.

"Surprising, one of the most commonly available household chemical you can use to darken brass is Palmolive Dishwashing liquid. Look at the label and see if it contains sodium bisulphite and other sulphur derivatives. These are very similar to the chemicals in Liver of Sulphur. Apply the dishwashing liquid with very little water to the bare brass and keep rubbing till you get the color you want. This will take only a few minutes. When you get the color you want, wash off the dish washing liquid."

And here is a reply that someone posted:

"Palmolive actually worked. Can't believe it. Few minutes and it looked like it aged months - and a nice brown. Thanks for the great tip!"
 
TAH,

You can try rubbing it with a vinegar soaked rag and then let it sit for a while. Once it gets to the stage you want, rub it with a clean rag.

Bert
 
I looked at our dishwashing liquid. Says it removes fat and grease..

I been bathing with the wrong stuff...:rolleyes:

But, on a more serious note, I believe that there are some differences in the brass.
I can see it sometimes when polishing brass bolsters with Brasso. Some are easier to clean than others.
And take a better shine than others.
 
Someone spit Days Work in the brass as the were pouring it up at the foundry......however this plays out you have to have post some updates as the story unfolds. 300
 
Pack Rat said:
I believe that there are some differences in the brass.
I can see it sometimes when polishing brass bolsters with Brasso. Some are easier to clean than others.
And take a better shine than others.
Click to expand...

I agree with this observation, but in this case, the front and rear bolster is the same brass. One would think it would tarnish the same.
 
Wondering if you carry it in the sheath "tip up". That would expose the rear bolster to more of the elements? Or perhaps you carry "tip down" and the rear bolster is smothered by any retained moisture in the sheath.

Pure guess... nothing scientific to back it up...
 
Pack Rat said:
I looked at our dishwashing liquid. Says it removes fat and grease..

I been bathing with the wrong stuff...:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Good one Pack Rat!

Brass never seems to tarnish exactly the same - I fell in love with Sta-Brite insignia when I was a 2LT - really made a Class A uniform shine. With my Buck's I just let nature take it's course - most of mine have sort of an even dull look, but a few get some figuring in the tarnish. OH
 
Thanks. I carry tip up, but for the last few weeks, I was purposely not carrying the knife at all or storing in the sheath so the patina would form evenly.
 
Old Hunter said:
With my Buck's I just let nature take it's course - most of mine have sort of an even dull look, but a few get some figuring in the tarnish. OH
Click to expand...

Yeah, same here. Whatever it does it does. Same as my carbon steel blades. I have wondered though if you taped it attached somehow a little design, if it'd patina differently, leaving the design in the patina. Too lazy though to experiment further. :)
 
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