This white Victorinox Classic SD recently came to me in a lot of 10. For a per-unit price of $2.22, it's a decent carrier. However, the white scales have seen their better days, and I'd like to improve the knifes looks. Is there a practical way to return the scales to the appearance they had when new? If not, I'll have to start casting around for replacement scales.
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Spiffing up a white Swiss Army knife
Spiffing up a white Swiss Army knife
USN 2000-2006
Adaptable and (usually) affable knife enthusiast, unsure of his knife collecting destination but enjoying the journey
Case taste, Rough Ryder budget
Adaptable and (usually) affable knife enthusiast, unsure of his knife collecting destination but enjoying the journey
Case taste, Rough Ryder budget
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Re: Spiffing up a white Swiss Army knife
If you mean just to brighten them up and remove some minor scratches, I have used either Flitz or Simichrome Polish on the plastic with good results. Don't get too wild with the polish though or it will remove the Swiss Cross logo.Dan In MI wrote: ↑Tue Apr 06, 2021 8:39 pm This white Victorinox Classic SD recently came to me in a lot of 10. For a per-unit price of $2.22, it's a decent carrier. However, the white scales have seen their better days, and I'd like to improve the knifes looks. Is there a practical way to return the scales to the appearance they had when new? If not, I'll have to start casting around for replacement scales.
20210406_144134.jpg
20210406_144116.jpg
"Sometimes even the blind chicken finds corn"
Re: Spiffing up a white Swiss Army knife
Polish could well brighten them up and remove light scratches, but I am more concerned about the pinkish crud around the edges. What, if anything, might get rid of that?
USN 2000-2006
Adaptable and (usually) affable knife enthusiast, unsure of his knife collecting destination but enjoying the journey
Case taste, Rough Ryder budget
Adaptable and (usually) affable knife enthusiast, unsure of his knife collecting destination but enjoying the journey
Case taste, Rough Ryder budget
Re: Spiffing up a white Swiss Army knife
That "pinkish crud" may be caused by exposure to UV light or possibly by hand oils and such. It may only be microns deep. If so, a light rub with some 0000 steel wool may remove it. It goes without saying you need to be careful, but if your alternative is to replace the scales what do you have to lose? Then, I would polish with Simichrome as suggested, or I have a special compound for my buffing wheel that is meant for plastics, I would give it a go with that.
Gary
"Now it cuts like a knife, but it feels so right." Bryan Adams
"Now it cuts like a knife, but it feels so right." Bryan Adams
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Re: Spiffing up a white Swiss Army knife
That must be corrosion of the aluminum liners. The polish will do that too if it is not real bad and pitted.
"Sometimes even the blind chicken finds corn"
Re: Spiffing up a white Swiss Army knife
I have some steel wool laying around, so if it's 0000, I'll give that a go. I'll take a better look at the liners; I'm really hoping they're not corroded.
The real issue with scale replacement is that a set of 58mm scales costs dadgummed near as much as a Classic SD! Yet all the same, I see no point in tossing any knife that is still functional.
Thank you for the help, gentlemen!
The real issue with scale replacement is that a set of 58mm scales costs dadgummed near as much as a Classic SD! Yet all the same, I see no point in tossing any knife that is still functional.
Thank you for the help, gentlemen!
USN 2000-2006
Adaptable and (usually) affable knife enthusiast, unsure of his knife collecting destination but enjoying the journey
Case taste, Rough Ryder budget
Adaptable and (usually) affable knife enthusiast, unsure of his knife collecting destination but enjoying the journey
Case taste, Rough Ryder budget
Re: Spiffing up a white Swiss Army knife
You can always replace the scales with something different, rather than the factory scales.
Here is a link that might give you some good ideas:
viewtopic.php?f=37&t=67936&p=844427&hilit=Swiss#p844427
Here is a link that might give you some good ideas:
viewtopic.php?f=37&t=67936&p=844427&hilit=Swiss#p844427
Jesus is life.
Everything else is just a hobby.
~Reverand
Everything else is just a hobby.
~Reverand
Re: Spiffing up a white Swiss Army knife
I've seen titanium and carbon fiber scales for Swiss Army knives, but I never considered bone. The end result looks very nice. Maybe I'll pick up some beaters and give them that treatment (provided I can find someone to make the scales for me, as I doubt I have the skills to make them myself).
USN 2000-2006
Adaptable and (usually) affable knife enthusiast, unsure of his knife collecting destination but enjoying the journey
Case taste, Rough Ryder budget
Adaptable and (usually) affable knife enthusiast, unsure of his knife collecting destination but enjoying the journey
Case taste, Rough Ryder budget