Patina - do you need to remove it?

[Pauly]

I've got myself a Joseph Rodgers and sons which I've had a go at restoring the blade on.

Got rid of all the rust, which fortunately was only surface rust and there was no pitting. Sanded it back with a progression from 100 grit through to 2000 grit and I am happy with the results.

however there is a reasonable amount of patina that I wasn't able to remove on the upper part of the blade.

I'm not that worried because my experience with CS knives is that patina is harmless on knives, but should I go back and re-sand the blade to remove all the patina?

[Sailor]

Picture would help.
Some like to remove all the patina there is and turn the knife look like new. Then there are others who like to keep the blade as original and aged as possible. I am with the latter, but it depends on the blade as well. At least i would remove the patina from the edge.

[PhatMan]

Pauly,

I would be inclined to leave it; the patina is part of the razors history.

I had an old patina'ed French blade that I was detrmined was going to 'sparkle' - Afrewards, considering the great effort it took, I kind of felt it looked better when it had the patina !!

I suppose it is down to persobal aesthetics

Good luck !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

[onimaru55]

We need pictures to define "patina". I'm surprised 100 grit didn't shift if it is indeed patina.

[Walt]

It's my understanding that patina is an overall oxidation of the entire blade that imparts a look of age and character to an older razor. If 90% of the blade has been restored to a shiny "new" surface and 10% is still darkened steel, then I would call that a blemish and not "patina".

Regards - Walt

[ScottGoodman]

Without the pics, we can't tell you much.

Some of us are HUGE patina fans...

[Pauly]

I'm talking about Fe3O4 not Fe2O3

It shows up on the otherwise shiny blade as a shadow.

The 100grit got rid of 95% of it, but I really didn't want to go any further because I was worried I would be removing more steel than necessary and I had removed all of the patina near the edge. I thought the finer grits would get more off, but they just polished off what I had left behind.

[Catrentshaving]

Its basically a matter of preferance if you want to leave the patina on..some guys like the look and some don't

[onimaru55]

I'm talking about Fe3O4 not Fe2O3

It shows up on the otherwise shiny blade as a shadow.

The 100grit got rid of 95% of it, but I really didn't want to go any further because I was worried I would be removing more steel than necessary and I had removed all of the patina near the edge. I thought the finer grits would get more off, but they just polished off what I had left behind.

Personally I would re patina the whole blade.

[nun2sharp]

Personally I would re patina the whole blade.

That makes two of us, if its an 1800's blade, I love the vintage look, if it's 20th century I will make it shine.