Wee NS discoloration?

[smokelaw1]

Hey all,

I've been wearing my NS on a chain around my neck this week, and have noticed some pretty hefty discoloration. Anyone else ever noticed this? Is it from contact with my skin/oils/sweat? Is it something I can polish out? Suggestions on what to use?
I know it will not damage the light (I imagine this to be the case) but I'd like to know if it is reversable.

Many thanks,

SL1

 

[Thujone]

Hey all,

I've been wearing my NS on a chain around my neck this week, and have noticed some pretty hefty discoloration. Anyone else ever noticed this? Is it from contact with my skin/oils/sweat? Is it something I can polish out? Suggestions on what to use?
I know it will not damage the light (I imagine this to be the case) but I'd like to know if it is reversable.

Many thanks,

SL1

Polish it back up with some flitz metal polish. It is normal for nickel silver finish.

 

[smokelaw1]

Thanks for the tip. I have some flitz at the house for putting super-polished edges on some of my knives. I'll give it a shot tonight.

 

[Jay R]

Because it's a good percentage silver, any silver polish will do the job well. I keep one of those impregnated silver polishing cloths in the draw at work and every now and again if I'm on a long telephone call or something, whip it out for a quick buff up. Keeps it looking new. On the other hand, leave it alone and it fades to a kind of dirty gold finish which isn't too bad either.

 

[brotherbob]

That is called a patina, and it gives it an air of sophistication.

 

[smokelaw1]

Thanks for the tips gents. I was surprised how quickly the patina developed (within two days!)

 

[Tim W]

Because it's a good percentage silver...

No silver present, despite the terminology. Nickel silver is a metal alloy of copper with nickel and often but not always zinc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel_silver


Tim

 

[Jay R]

Well I never knew that.

 

[FsTop]

And if you need a rationalization for not polishing it, you can tell people that the patina is highly valued wabe-sabe

 

[xcel730]

Ironically, many knife collectors purposely develop patinas on their carbon knives by sticking the knife in an apple, orange, or soaking it with vinegar

 

[KeyGrip]

A patina, if well done, can prevent further corrosion of a more unwanted type (rust, in the case of high carbon blades). It acts in a similar way as anodizing, providing a surface layer which is less easily oxidized. If (when) I get my NS I'll likely keep that patina to see how it looks.

 

[xcel730]

I purposely put some patina on one of my carbon slipjoint knives. I actually kind of like the way it looks ... it smells funny though. I could taste it when I use it to cut fruits. :sick2:

A patina, if well done, can prevent further corrosion of a more unwanted type (rust, in the case of high carbon blades). It acts in a similar way as anodizing, providing a surface layer which is less easily oxidized. If (when) I get my NS I'll likely keep that patina to see how it looks.

 

[1M1]

Prior to the advent of low cost stainless steel, knives were made of silver strictly for the purpose of using with acidic foods - such as fruits.

Personally, I like my Wee and RAW with a bit of patina, adds character .