Copper sealing?

coachcampana

coachcampana

Well-Known Member
I recently made a f. folder with some copper bolsters. If its in my pocket during the day and I get a little hot or sweet, the copper looks like crap. All tarnished. I was wondering if I used this : Rust-Oleum 7701830 Stops Rust Spray Paint, 12-Ounce, Gloss Crystal Clear.

If it would solve my problem? Any suggestions? It looks so good when shined up. I'd like to buff it again and then spray it with the sealer. Opinions or advice for the novice knife maker please.
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Renaissance wax might do the trick. Best wax I know if to protect items from tarnishing. It is used on just about everything in fine museums all over the world. It's available on Amazon. Just a thought!
 
KCorn said:
Renaissance wax might do the trick. Best wax I know if to protect items from tarnishing. It is used on just about everything in fine museums all over the world. It's available on Amazon. Just a thought!
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Thanks for the suggestion. I've never heard of that product. I just ordered some.
 
the problem with the Rust-Oleum Gloss Crystal Clear is that it is a coating that will eventually crack, chip and peel. the wax should work and will be easy to renew.
 
Any knife with brass or copper on it is almost impossible to keep the medium from tarnishing if it is carried or used. If you building a safe queen then it can be done. As suggested by Kcorn there are better materials than the Rustolem product, and for the reason he suggested!

I always figure if I am going to use copper or brass it is better to let it tarnish naturally because if you carry or use the knife and plan on sealing every few days it is going to tarnish! Sure while you sit and watch TV at night and you want to re polish it, then that's cool!

To coachcampana my comments are no reflection on you or your knife. I love the look and the medium. I just hate trying to keep it shiny. I had enough of that in Uncle Sams Army. I don't do shines anymore!LOL
 
C Craft said:
Any knife with brass or copper on it is almost impossible to keep the medium from tarnishing if it is carried or used. If you building a safe queen then it can be done. As suggested by Kcorn there are better materials than the Rustolem product, and for the reason he suggested!

I always figure if I am going to use copper or brass it is better to let it tarnish naturally because if you carry or use the knife and plan on sealing every few days it is going to tarnish! Sure while you sit and watch TV at night and you want to re polish it, then that's cool!

To coachcampana my comments are no reflection on you or your knife. I love the look and the medium. I just hate trying to keep it shiny. I had enough of that in Uncle Sams Army. I don't do shines anymore!LOL
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I'm still new to knife making. So I'm soaking up all of this advice. I really had no idea what would happen to the copper. I plan on throwing this knife in my pocket every day, so I'll try the wax once and see how it does and then probably let it just tarnish naturally. I'm not easy to offend! So thanks again for the information fellas.
The copper looks cool, but from now on when using what I have left, I'll just keep in mind that it's going to change colors.
 
I use copper because I like the tarnished look. It never even accrued to me that some people may actually want there copper to look like new copper lol.
 
rmbonham said:
I use copper because I like the tarnished look. It never even accrued to me that some people may actually want there copper to look like new copper lol.
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My thoughts exactly, one of the primary reasons to use copper is the fact that it does tarnish and patina so easily. My suggestion is to let it go for a month or two, and see if the patina doesn't grow on you... over that time, it will go through several color phases, when it hits one you like, use the wax... you can always polish it back to shiny if you don't like it.
 
The Wax isn't going to protect it. I doubt it will even slow down the oxidation since you may be handling it a lot.
Frank
 
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