Hello Bruce

You might try "Brasso" which is a brass polish with very very fine
polishing grade grit. You should be able to easily control how aggressive
it is because it is not at all very aggressive without considerable elbow
grease. But its grit is finer and shouldn't show the scrubbed look you're
worried about. BTW, I once polished a rosewood and brass handled
pocketknife on a buffing wheel and it looked so bright and awkward
afterward that I have never done it again since.

The other product that springs to mind is "Bar Keeper's Friend" which comes
in a gold looking container. It's a little bit like comet cleanser only
milder (but I would say more abrasive than the brasso). I know its safe for
small brass bar sinks.

Rubbing compound used on car paint finishes might be another option. I
would suspect most of it might even be milder than the brasso but it'd be
thicker instead. You might even have some around your place now. You'd be
surprised how many car waxes these days actually contain rubbing compound
within their formula. Taking off a microscopic layer of paint helps
brighten the finish.

But I'd do some tests on some old brass first before taking it to the
plane. I think horn players use brasso, too, IIRC. A lot of them don't like
their horns too bright.

Bruce said:
I don't like my antiques to look new,either furniture or tools.Is there a
way to clean up the brass a little bit without the scrubbed look?