Recommendation? Cleaning up an old blade?

[The_Knife_Man]

My father has asked me to clean up his grandfather's old fishing knife for Father's day. What is my best plan of action to clean this old blade up?

I currently don't plan on sharpening it. Just wanna clean it up and try to preserve it a bit.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

0000 steel wool-used dry.
It will remove most of the rust without harming anything.

 

[catspa]

All the steel wool I ever bought had some slight oil residue, I figured from how they made it. I usually apply a little more, or some Hoppes #9 cause I like the smell.

Parker

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Using extra oil turns the removed rust into iron oxide paste. Iron oxide is abrasive. Use the steel wool dry and wipe frequently.