Varnish over advertising text? Can I remove it without losing the text?

[AEM]

I bought a Schrade 175 Draper Felt knife. The right scale, with the advertising text, was covered with a clear varnish of some kind that was crinkling and flaking off. It came off with light scraping with my fingernail . But I left the varnish over the text because I am afraid the text will come off if I try to remove the varnish. If you enlarge the photos, you can just see the slightly brown tinted varnish over the text.

If I can get all the old varnish off, I will consider applying a light clear coat over the text.

what is the safest way to remove the varnish without harming the text?

Thanks

[227UH]

Use basic painting techniques....

Clean it with wax and grease remover.
Lightly scuff it with scotch-brite.
Touch up the red as needed.
Spray clear coat.

But why? Just use it the way it is. I think it looks pretty good already.

[AEM]

Thanks!

I think it looks good too. I want to keep it looking good if I can. I wasn't clear about why I want to remove the varnish. It was coming off in big flakes so i suspect the varnish over the text will start to flake off as well, and I am concerned that when it does it will peel the red paint off with it. I really like the stylish red logo on the ivory scale.

[FRJ]

I really like the stylish red logo on the ivory scale.

The covers might be Delrin or some such thing.

A timely pocket carry might remove the varnish that is loose.

It looks like a friendly pocket carry.

[AEM]

Yes, the scales are a Delrin-like plastic. I meant ivory colored, not ivory the real thing. That would really be something!

I love the knife, especially the sheepsfoot blade and the color scheme. And the logo is classy.

[stockman]

Is the logo on the surface, or are the letters pressed in and then painted?

Stockman

[cudgee]

Can't help you with your question, BUT great looking knife.

[AEM]

"Is the logo on the surface, or are the letters pressed in and then painted?"

The text is raised above the surface of the scale, raised pretty significantly at that. I can feel it through the varnish. I don[t know whetgher it is paint or some kind of applique'. The fact that it is raised makes me think that it would wear pretty fast with pocket carry. I think that may be why the varnish was applied.

[orvet]

I have several 175s, some have seen hard use. I have seen the advertising worn thin on some of the hard use knives, but in most cases I have not seen it completely worn off.
I would suggest a thin leather case to cover the knife if you're concerned about it being damaged by change or keys in your pocket.