Any tips on cleaning/reconditioning old knives?

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Peruna1998

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Sep 8, 2009
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Can anyone point me in the right direction of tips/pointers on cleaning up knives? I've dealt with rust on nineteenth century swords before, so I am familiar with Flitz and less abrasive steel wool, but (aside from hot, soapy water) is there anything to cleaning old bone I should know? Any tips on cleaning the inside of the spring?

Thanks.
 
Cleaning inside a blade well can be done with toothpicks and 0000 steel wool. Neverdull wadding is useful, as is Simichrome polish. WD 40 is your friend.
 
Is it stainless or carbon? I've used brake cleaner and sprayed it as it removes cleans and evaporates. Then use PB blaster. Is it a user or restoration? Also, depending on if the bone is colored, you may want to use something gentle as to not remove the coloring.
 
Try and keep the patina on the blades, don't sand it or anything. Carbon can get kind of sticky by the joints depending on how old it is. Do you have PB Blaster around? If there's no rust or dirty, sticky stuff around the spring and pivot, just use PB blaster, skip the brake cleaner.
 
One thing that I've found very handy for cleaning the inside of the springs:

Use a wooden 'craft stick' (like a popsicle stick; available in the crafts section at Walmart or at Hobby Lobby) with a paper towel/rag or even with a piece of fine wet/dry sandpaper wrapped around the end. The thickness of the stick is almost perfect to snug down into the space between the liners and, of couse, the flat edge of the stick makes for good contact with the spring. The sticks are available in several widths too (1/4", 1/2", 3/4"). The smaller radiused ends on the narrow ones work great for smaller slipjoints, getting into the curved areas at each end of the handle.
 
Accidentally leave it in the pocket of a pair of jeans and wash and dry em.:eek:I took it out ,oiled it and sharpened it. Turned out great. Havent been able to make myself try it again though.;)--KV
 
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