Must remember to put back the wife’s L'Oréal

[smythe]

After countless hours sanding, polishing, sanding and polishing again, finally I think I am proud if this one.
Won it off ebay, not much tarnish to start, but I wanted to remove the century old tool marks and give it shine from tip to tail. Originally had horn scales but I soon discovered they were cracked in several places.

The steel is TOUGH… And I say that with a sigh, gave up a few times, Imagine a fresh piece of w/d paper, should “stick” but instead just slides off the blade like it was… a piece of paper… but I kept going back.
It’s not perfect mirror finish… there are still tiny swirl marks only visible in the right light.
Also few of the deeper tool marks I left to give it that “armor plate” character… (like the shiny new 4wd that you’re never really gonna take off road… but its nice to know you could).

Now to find some scales...

Rule of Restoration #26
When hand sanding, don’t underestimate the inadvertent edge honing ability of sandpaper. A previously “dull” blade can inflict a serious laceration, thus terminating the handjob.

Thanks for listening folks