Recommendation? Best way to go about restoring this ol' folding hand saw?

[DeadEconomist]

Hi there,

I just found this ol' rusty folding hand saw that was probably used on a sugar plantation near where I live. Pretty good looking hand made tool it looks like. I am interested in restoring it for use if possible. I'd like to get as much of the rust that's on the blade and inside the folding mechanism off of it.

https://imgur.com/a/hD3Ot

I've been restoring some rusty knives recently using citric acid but I imagine that it's not a good idea to dunk this whole thing into a solution bath and risk the handle swelling? It has a pretty thin blade, flexible to make it easier for vines I'm guessing, so I'd soak that in the solution.

But what about the switch mechanism? Thoughts and ideas?

Thanks!

(Sorry about not posting the photos directly, for some reason they kept showing up as broken links)

 

[Bill DeShivs]

The saw is factory-made. Abrasion is about the only way to remove rust from the mechanism. Fine steel wool, WD 40 are your friends. A small wire wheel in a hand held rotary tool-at low speed, would help.

 

[DeadEconomist]

Yeah! I noticed the stamp at the hilt after I soaked and got the rust off the blade. And then I could tell that the parts were certainly factory put together. A bit disappointed but not surprised.
I got a good amount of rust off the thumb trigger and most of the outside of the mechanism and did a good pass of WD40. Unfortunately, now it's greased up and the bit that keeps the blade in place when open seems loose. Thinking maybe the wood swelled a bit too much? Not sure.