Høvel 

Høvel is made of Brass and comes highly polished out of the box. Brass is a reactive metal that will naturally tarnish in different conditions and especially when handled. Oils and moisture from hands will affect the brass colour and will tarnish it helping to build a patina. This can be easily cleaned off if you prefer it looking perfectly clean and polished.

The first step is to take the Høvel apart, separating the screw and clamp from the main body. Use some Brasso wadding (or other brass cleaning agent), this can be purchased at most hardware stores, supermarkets, and online. Take a small piece of the webbing and in small circular motions wiping the tarnished areas and sections of graphite. The wadding should start to turn a deep black showing that it is removing the oils and dirt.

Once you have cleaned the brass take a soft cloth or tissue and slightly moisten it with some water and washing up liquid/soap. Then wipe off the residue from the Brasso in a similar motion and care to the Brasso wadding. Then run the parts under some warm water  tap and clean off all the cleaning residue. Finally taking another soft cloth/tissue and dry any moisture, I usually use a yellow glass polishing cloth because it will buff up the Høvel to make it very shiny.

 

Iris

Iris is made of stainless steel and polished Brass. Brass will naturally patina when used but this can be easily be cleaned off if you prefer the polished look. 

To clean the rings of Iris we recommend being very careful because it can interfere with the tightly machined tolerances if done incorrectly. 

Start by taking some Brasso wadding (or other brass cleaning agent), this can be purchased at most hardware stores, supermarkets, and online. Take a small piece of the webbing and in small circular motions wipe the brass ring. Try to not let any of the cleaning agent into the splits and joints of the Iris because this can attract dirt and grime. The wadding will change colour becoming black as it picks up oils and residues from the brass. 

Once you have cleaned the brass take a soft cloth or tissue and slightly moisten it with some water and washing up liquid/soap. Then wipe off the residue from the Brasso in a similar motion and care to the Brasso webbing. Finally taking another soft cloth/tissue and dry any moisture on the top of the Iris. 

By now your Iris should be back to its polished self and may have even removed some micro scratches.

 

Stria

Stria is made of brass and as this is a reactive metal, it will naturally tarnish in different conditions and especially when handled. Oils and moisture from hands and the environment will affect the colour, helping to build a patina. However, this can be easily cleaned off with some Brasso (or another brass cleaning agent) if you prefer it looking perfectly clean and polished. 

To clean your Stria, start by taking a small piece of Brasso wadding (or other brass cleaning agent) and in small circular motions, wipe the tarnished areas. The wadding should start to turn a deep black showing that it is removing the oils and dirt.

Once you have cleaned the brass, take a soft cloth or tissue and slightly moisten it with some water and washing up liquid/soap to wipe off any residue. Finally, take another soft cloth/tissue and dry any remaining moisture. We usually use a yellow glass polishing cloth because it will buff brass well.