I needed to take this discussion to a new thread not to hijack a vote on a forum build.
So it appears we all have our favorite materials; brass, nickel silver, and the rare pure silver. Some knives also can be had with copper hardware. For discussion here is care, or lack of it. Some may feel the need to polish away, some not. When you received your spanking new Randall it was shiny bright. So over time oxygen degrades that look.
So some materials develop a patina quickly, others more slowly but all will eventually. I personally like the look of shiny brass and an evenly oxidized darker patina over time. Copper looks great with some aging; leave it alone. Nickel silver is easier to keep. Some of it looks brassy to me, just for discussion.
So the ever rare and expensive pure silver hardware is a real challenge. So, leave it be, or let it go almost as black as Grandma's tableware set?

So do you let time age metal, or not and what looks good to you. No right or wrong answers.

Polish

I leave the patina. I personally think the only down side of sending a knife back to the shop to have the blade cleaned is the hilt must be cleaned as well.

I like an aged Brass patina. Not so much on German silver, and pure silver definitely needs to be polished.

Agreed guys. Aged brass takes on an almost bronze patina.

What polish do you use for the silver?

David, I have used Brasso since the 1960s. Cheap and does a good enough job for me.

I do not have any silver furniture RMK'S though. Sold all of them. They all had a blackening patina found on unpolished fine silver when I bought them and when I sold them. Added a pic.

Not wanting to throw the thread off track, but Fine Silver on a knife that will be a user also adds tremendously to the weight of the knife. Definitely only for use on safe queens, IMO.

Plus one for Brasso, no cries of issue in doubt ! Perfect !

A good dark patina on brass rocks!

Curious, if RMK offered stainless furniture on all models, would you be interested?