All About Pocket Knives

I just bought a Mini Trapper (Casexx) from a flea market guy. Is in pretty good shape half stops good, snaps both ways decent color on the scales. Was missing the shield,was going to ask you guys about it,but ran across a number for parts for Case, called them gave them the info on the knife and they are sending me the shield, how about that and for free too, what a deal, but you long tooths probabley knew that already..... 1 800 523 6350 Being new I may be in the wrong forum,if so slap my hands and send me to another forum, if not is there any way the scales on a knife that are faded can be rejuvenated to original color or at least match to the un- faded part?

What type of handles are on the knife?

Wayne

I'm not generally one to criticize, but repeating your question does not answer it or Wayne's. His question is legit. Are they faded synthetic or worn bone? Better yet, post a picture of the knife and you'll probably get a constructive answer. Since I do a lot of work on knives I keep several colors of dye on-hand for touch ups, but that's only good on bone handles (sometimes stag). There really isn't anything you can do for faded synthetics except for putting new handles on it. Please post a picture so we can really help.

Thanks for the reply Bob,being new was not sure how to reply to the post thanks for the info. Don't know long I can use the(new) moniker,but Bob how do you tell the difference from stag or bone.I just read about the hot pin test probably would use that one as a last resort.

I'll post a pic of the faded handels when I get back into town.

I've explained my method in the past and although is sounds a bit goofy, it's always worked for me. Take a knife that you know is bone or pearl and gently tap it on your lower front teeth. The natural materials (wood not included) will give you a crisp sound and feel where the synthetics have a dull thud about them. Basically all you're doing is comparing the hardness of the materials, but the bone and pearl are much harder and you'll soon know the difference without having to do a comparison. Delrin has been known to fade although the brown color can look very much like bone when it's new or just cared for properly. When this happens to the brown Delrin, quite often a coat of mineral oil will bring back the color. If it's the yellow Delrin, there's nothing to do but change the handle material to new stuff. Bone can be dyed to make it as original as possible, but sometimes mixing of the colors is necessary to get the right match for your knife. Hope this helps.

Bob...Thanks for the reply. You mentioned mixing the colors,is that what you use to make up the stain for the. stag or bone, what type of mixture would that be. ,

At the very most, stag will sometimes require a touch of brown to restore the color to a high spot that has been buffed a bit too much or where a small chip was. With bone it's always trial and error on a piece of scrap even if you have to take an old handle of the same color to test it on. Since I save the old handles from knives I repair or customize, there's usually no problem finding something for those tests. Please note that I'm talking small amounts here though. Usually a Q-tip, eye-dropper and the lid from an old pill bottle is enough for the test and the following application. Leather dye available from Jantz and Texas Knifemaker's Supply is the best I've found so far. Just allow plenty of time for the dye to soak in and dry before hand buffing it off. Repeat as needed. If the dye isn't cured enough, Ren wax can remove it.

Bob, again thanks for the info and sharing.