All About Pocket Knives

Good evening,

I am cleaning up this 1979 Case Barlow which I believe is Delrin.
I want to bring back more of the sawcut appearance.
Could I sand the scale with say 100 grit sandpaper or is
there another method? I do not want to ruin everything I
have done so far.

Bob

(First picture is what it looked like 3 weeks ago.)

It seems like you have cleaned up the worst of the problem.
The covers don't seem too bad. I agree, you don't want to run it now.
Consider packing it as is and let it fix its self.

for Delrin esp. if it has white haze, I have read to rub mineral oil on it. let it sit and wipe off. may take several applications. If the saw cut pattern is worn down their may not be much you can do?

I agree with FRJ, if you start sanding on the Delrin you will probably mess it up. Especially if you use 100 grit, it is pretty fine, it will probably just make it smooth.
I try to avoid sanding Delrin if at all possible.

Maybe a few passes with one of those small brass wire brushes that look like a toothbrush, lubed with mineral spirits - should clean out the sawcut grooves & bring it back as good as possible...

Lansky1 wrote:Maybe a few passes with one of those small brass wire brushes that look like a toothbrush, lubed with mineral spirits - should clean out the sawcut grooves & bring it back as good as possible...

Great idea!
I've actually used that method to clean and enhance the Delrin. Because it does clean out the buildup of dirt in the grooves it does make them look deeper & sharper.
I've even used a brass wire brush for a Dremel or Foredom. You have to watch it and not let it dig in, but that works quite effectively also, although it doesn't really put new grooves in the Delrin, just a scratch pattern.

Thanks for all the comments thus far. I previously scrubbed the handles with 70% isopropyl
alcohol wipes because they were so dirty and grimey. I got a lot of stuff off every part of
the knife including the liners. I did notice some white spots appear after the alcohol
dried on the scales. I then soaked it in mineral oil and they disappeared. That is why
I am so hesitant in what I do next with the scales.

I have thought about using a wire brush on a Dremel to make a few scratches, just to bring back the
appearance of sawcut jig. John and Dale you reinforced by beliefs.

Bob