1974 Case 6235 1/2 badly faded / bleached handle

[58chevy348]

Recently got this 1974 Case 6235 1/2 in. The knife is still solid with good snap, etc. The only problem is one of the handles appears to be badly faded or bleached. Any ideas on trying to bring the color back? I included a pic of the other handle for comparison. Thank you!

[treefarmer]

58chevy348,
Just a comment, I really like the faded side. A little time with Mothers and a rag on them bolsters and it would look great! Don't take this wrong, just my opinion, the colored side is kinda' dull lookin'. From the picture, the handle material appears to be bone. Wonder it the knife sat in direct sunlight or was one side soaked I something to bleach it completely?
If it were mine, I'd clean it up, sharpen it and carry it for a day or two.

Treefarmer

[58chevy348]

Thanks Treefarmer! I was thinking the same thing. Unless there's a fairly quick and easy tip from someone about the faded side, I'll likely leave it the way it is. Makes me wonder too, if a previous owner put a harsh chemical cleaner on one side, or if it just sat in direct sunlight for way too long. Thanks for your input!

[rexstubbins]

Chevy,

I live by this stuff.

Just put some heavy concentrate of rubbing alcohol or moonshine on it. Let it dry . And then put some Fiebings.

[RalphAlsip]

Rex, I would be grateful to see some before Fiebings and after Fiebings pictures if you have some available. Thanks.

[gsmith7158]

58 Chevy I don't think I have ever seen a handle bleach out so completely without some damage to the bone. It will be interesting to see how it handles any new dye.

[rexstubbins]

Rex, I would be grateful to see some before Fiebings and after Fiebings pictures if you have some available. Thanks.

Yes sir.

Here is a link to a fixed blade where I used it:

viewtopic.php?f=37&t=52803

I have used it on a few other folders that I re-handled but need to find the thread. When I find I'll post link.

EDIT

Just found another one where I used it. May have been a bit overkill with the vacuum chamber and oil. I have since decided it is best just to clean with alcohol and then dye.

viewtopic.php?f=37&t=39182

[58chevy348]

Thanks guys! Just ordered some dye. Can't wait to give it a try!

[espn77]

Wondering. Will bone actually soak up the die? Or will it rib off in the pocket if used. I use that die on leather and it's definitely the best out there.

[Tsar Bomba]

I might also suggest running a sharpened pencil through the long pull on the master to help eliminate some of what I think is active rust tucked into the groove. I've had the best luck with hand-sharpened carpenter's pencils, the wide ones you can get at hardware stores. I would get a nice wedge from the pencil charcoal and then just rub in short strokes within the long pull, back and forth, until the charcoal has conformed to the shape and hit every surface. The charcoal should rub off any remaining active oxidation without damaging the steel itself. Then just take a toothbrush or soft, thin cloth and some soapy water to get rid of any excess pencil charcoal. I've had great luck using this technique on knife surfaces that had picked up little spots of rust over time or from use.

The previous suggestions regarding dying the handle should be all you need to restore some color into that nice jack.

[rexstubbins]

All of the handles I have used on it is still there. It does seem to soak in quite well.

I would suggest that after you are done to let it thoroughly dry and then seal by using flitz or other type of polish. Even mineral oil works to help seal it.

[rexstubbins]

Also what color did you go with? Would love to see picks after it's done. My preference would be the red for this one.

[terryl308]

Just a tip, I would try what ever dye you decide on , to try it on an old piece of bleached bone or antler to try and match the color. I have used Fiebings leather dye and potassium permanganate, and analine dye of various colors. bone is kind of hard to match because it all takes dye at different rates and so on. It will not come of if you let it dry and wax after drying. good luck and let us see the results. Terry

[58chevy348]

I actually ordered a medium brown and a mahogany color. I will be experimenting with color befor applying to knife. It might even wind up being a mixture of the two. Will post pics when I am finished. Thanks again for all of the input and advice!

[rea1eye]

Be careful the "unbleached" and regular side may take up the dye differently and at
a different rate.

Best of luck to you.

Please post your results too!


Bob