If you use scotchbrite, or barkeepers friend, or toothpaste, or anything else abrasive, be sure to put the scratches in the same direction they're in now. Its tool steel. Cut things with it!
This..
Ok well, I promised a tutorial, this is not it but for you Dave, here's my .02. Please note that this method works for me and not for everyone... so if anyone uses this and either obtains sub optimal results or damages their knife, please note that I in no way take responsibility for you damaging your knife.
Oxidation, heavy patina, blood, guts, no problem! Follow steps in this order:
1) Clean the patinated area with >70% USP rubbing alcohol; this strips away oils and any residue on the blade
2) Apply a thin layer of flitz / simichrome / mothers with your finger. It should be so thin that the application already starts to turn gray/black
3) Use #0000 steel wool, and as Andy describes, rub with the grind lines, perpendicular to the spine. Apply moderate pressure.
4) Remove old polishing paste with a micro fiber towel, and reapply per step 3 and continue to repeat
5) At some point, you will have removed +70% of your patina, but some of the more stubborn & faint marks will be present
6) Paper towels are in all actuality VERY abrasive!
... from here on out use paper towels only (folded in 1/8 or more to increase media stiffness)
7) Reapply more polish in thin layers and rub with the grind lines, perpindicular to the spine. Apply HEAVY pressure.
8) You will see a ton of black oxidation coming off on the paper towels
9) Continue to repeat 4-8 with paper towels until all of the patina is removed
10) Clean the entire knife in the sink with warm water & dawn (polishes are NOT food safe); Dawn is oleophobic and will remove a lot of not readily visible funk left behind from the cleaning process.
11) Dry entire knife thoroughly
12) Reapply rubbing alcohol to the blade and immediately wipe away (blade is now "stripped")
13) Apply mineral oil to the entire knife & wipe away
14) Stand back and marvel at your really clean fiddleback
15) Drink a beer and determine how you will get it dirty next!
A few more thoughts:
- Bar keepers friend (if not diluted) will actually patina a blade... much similar to doing an apple cider vinegar patina. If you screw up with bar keepers friend, use the above methods.
-The above method will work pretty well against forced patinas, but some more aggressive food borne acids (i.e. mustard) may etch the steel
- This process takes time; expect that a well patinaed knife can take 30-60 minutes to clean; this does not include handle scales
- Which brings me to my next topic; I have limited experience restoring scales, but what has worked for me (regardless of material) is starting with 180 grit wet and sanding in a unidirectional manner until smooth, keep your paper clean, and continue to progress up through 600-800 or until the handle looks new. Clean thoroughly and apply either mineral oil or 100% tung tree oil (NOT FORMBYS!).
- If you are having issues with a non-stabilized wood scale, I recommend the above method, sans minerall/tung oil, and instead applying BC Tru-Oil... Note that YMMV, but if you want to stabilize a natural wood handle, this works but really needs its own tutorial as you can really hose up some nice scales unless you know what you are doing!
So, good luck & happy restoring!
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Disclamer: DON'T DO THIS TO YOUR FIDDLEBACK FORGE KNIFE; DOING SO WILL PROBABLY VOID YOUR WARRANTY
- Along with the above stated methods, I do use a few more "tricks" for some of my heavy use "keeper",
non-fiddleback knives. Note that some pretty insane results can be had with a LOW SPEED ultrafine scotchbrite wheel, but I do not endorse, recommend, or otherwise suggest this method. It will void your warranty and can possibly ruin your heat treat if done improperly.
I do not sell or trade knives that I scotchbrite for this reason; but if you have a 100% keeper, know what you are doing, and don't plan to sell/trade/return the knife...EVER, then have at it; the wheel is easily located on major online retailers (Amaz....etc.)
If your knife is really really dirty, look into the spa service; it is easier and will not void your warranty.