Patina?

[seanc]

So,

 like an idiot.. I was looking through the concertina pics porn here. And comparing and contrasting. I noticed that my 22 (metal ended) in comparison to most of the other metal ended is really dull looking. I am not sure if this is good or bad specifically. But, it got me to thinking. Is there a consensus as to bright and shiny is better than the "well worn" look?

 

And as an add on. Is there something that can be used to bring back the shine? Or, is  anodizing/ plating the only solution?

 

For reference here is a pic of the 22 next to a (now sold) Norman (reasonably shiny).

 

[Marcus]

I have to say - I much prefer the look of the 22.  Shiny metal with sharp edges on the Norman just doesn't have the same allure.

 

My Kensington has moderately tarnished ends and although I make efforts to clean it up every now and then I don't think I'd want it to look as shiny as the Norman does in your picture.

[Chris Ghent]

The Norman looks like stainless steel, a very permanent material though hard to work; my hat is off to anyone cutting it by hand or with a scroll saw. That said, it always has a clinical look. Your Wheatstone will never shine to the same look, or stay shone for a long time. If nickel or nickel plated it will always have a slightly yellow look; a look I find comfortable to the eye. 
 

When listening to a musician I would have to notice something dramatic about their instrument to notice it much at all. Willie Nelson’s favourite guitar comes to mind. I would definitely not be thinking “what a lovely shiny instrument”! And when perusing an old instrument I will not be impressed by someone’s idea of how shiny it would have been on day one. If it shows signs of its progress through time, scratches, dents, wear, I am reminded of its history and prompted to imagine stories of its life.  So I favour minimum interference. 
 

I would recommend cleaning as dirt can contribute to decay. Dust and skin in the bellows folds are best cleaned out, and signs of vertigris on brass or copper based parts are best cleaned off. Buttons with oxidation on the sides which is picking up on the bushes need a polish. 

[SIMON GABRIELOW]

I think both those concertinas look great, to me as they are. All I can say is that my anglo, which I have owned now for 24 years soon, has basic nickel type modern plate design, and has tarnished over time with use.

Yet from certain lighting angles it looks more mirror like than other angles. I use a microfibre type cloth, made for buffing over metals to clean over very occassionaly, but at the end of the day.. it shows things are used, loved, and have a life story added to by the player.

[Stephen DOUGLASS]

26 minutes ago, Chris Ghent said:

Your Wheatstone will never shine to the same look, or stay shone for a long time. If nickel or nickel plated it will always have a slightly yellow look; a look I find comfortable to the eye. 

Chris, this is nearly 100 years old and still shines bright.

[Mike Franch]

Sam Zygmuntowicz, who plays in a band with Jody Kruskal, is a highly regarded violin maker (you can look him up). I'm told that he is sometimes asked to distress his instruments before clients take delivery. They don't want shinny new-looking instruments!

 

[seanc]

The Norman is gone. But that was also 60+ years newer. And, yes, possibly stainless.

 

But as a contrast.. Here is a pic of the Maccan I picked up recently.. substantially brighter, presumably the same materials/  plating process.

 

 

[Clive Thorne]

To me the "Dull" one almost looks like aluminium, but I guess it's probably too old for that.

[d.elliott]

The dull ends are usually nickel/ nickel plated, Stainless (originally 'rustless' steel') was not invented until 1913. so I doubt it was available for concertina ends until well after the 1st WW. Chrome plating was leading this by about 10 years. Nickel plating, however, started to appear in the 1850's. Chrome plate is in two forms: Hard Plating for wear surfaces and decorative plate. Chrome is much brighter and shinier than nickel, but it can peel off.

 

Nickel can give an allergic reaction so don't cuddle your 'tina, unless she is a Tina!