Blade teatment

[thawk]

Nice job!
Someday someone will make a product to get the carbon stains out without removing all the steel.

Let me know when that product comes is available. Check out this Schrade Walden 881 that did not live in a dry place for a couple of decades:

The knife appears to be unused. I got it in a plastic tube with no end cap. I just oiled it and rubbed it with a rag. Before oiling the blades were stiff without much snap. Now it snaps like a turtle. The blades are smooth, just tarnished, although a few places are showing signs of light rust. I think I will try and list it as a prototype "special damascus edition".

Seriously, what advice would be best to make the blades look decent and keep the rust from coming on worse. I've seen knives like this taken to a buffer, and I don't care for that look, and I don't have one anyway.

 

[338375]

I can't say for sure Hal, because I've never had one that bad. I've read of guys using Flitz and fine steel wool to get some of it off, and others that use wd-40 and steel wool. Either way, she looks like a great knife, just needs a little TLC.
The scales have nice coloring. I like it when they are lighter at the bolsters :thumbup:
I've been carrying the old SW 881, that I was given a couple months ago by a fellow member, every day. It is one of the few knives I have really bonded with, and it has become my favorite.

I know the subject has come up quite a bit in traditional, but can't remember what other suggestions were given.
I'll be curious to see how she looks after your done with it

 

[waynorth]

I would glue down 400 or 600 grit (depending on how deep the pitting is) emery paper to a smooth flat strip of wood, right to the edge, anchor the wood, and carefully rub the flat surfaces, keeping them flat. This keeps the edges crisp. It's slow going, which is what you want. Then get some green polishing compound, glue down some hard leather, or buy a ready made strop, and finish it off, keeping some compound on the leather.
I know you don't believe what you are hearing from an anti-cleaner, but some knives are so ugly, they deserve some careful rejuvenation.

 

[Bridgeman]

I would glue down 400 or 600 grit (depending on how deep the pitting is) emery paper to a smooth flat strip of wood, right to the edge, anchor the wood, and carefully rub the flat surfaces, keeping them flat. This keeps the edges crisp. It's slow going, which is what you want. Then get some green polishing compound, glue down some hard leather, or buy a ready made strop, and finish it off, keeping some compound on the leather.
I know you don't believe what you are hearing from an anti-cleaner, but some knives are so ugly, they deserve some careful rejuvenation.

this is basically the same method i use when a knife is so far gone that it actually needs a cleaning, but as you can see from my 165UH thread i didn't go too heavy. on that knife i just wanted the rust gone. what you see remaining is some pitting. i didn't have the energy nor the desire to remove that much steel on that blade. i think it has character.

as for the knife pictured here, if the blades are not pitted, the method mentioned above will work perfectly! use wet sandpaper, use the water too. a large paint stirrer works great for the wood. and you might try wrapping the sandpaper around the stick as well. just a few more thoughts.

 

[aggiebuilder2003]

This may sound dumb, but would a product like CLR work on getting some of that out/ off? Granted, I'm suggesting this without ever trying it myself, but it's a thought.

Chuck

 

[Jamo]

I get a nice shine with a whet stone 1000+ . Just need to work the stone up with another knife or stone first to get a nice slurry between the stone and the steel . I'll give" UL the knife "a photo before and after a touch up if you like ,then post the finish . Different grades of steel wool and Parafin oil I use as well or instead of .
Its either that or send it to me if you want to sell .