How To Can I polish without removing etching?

[KrazyPete]

I have a Kutmaster stockman from the early 70s(I think). I found it in a tackle box full of old knives that belonged to my grandfather. Can I take the rust off and polish the blades without removing the “property of” etching? What’s the best way to do that?

 

[killgar]

Welcome to Bladeforums KrazyPete.

I'd say that rust is going to require more than just polishing. At the very least some scrubbing with WD40 and 0000 steel wool, or some fine grit sandpaper.

As for the etch, if you polish that portion of the blade you are going to affect the etch, especially if you use a buffer. The etch might not disappear, depending on how much you polish/buff that area, but it will be less visible. The etch doesn't look very deep.

It looks like all the real damage on the etched blade is up along the spine (above the nail groove). I would just tape the blade off from the nail groove down with masking tape or aluminum duct tape, leaving only the area that truly needs work exposed, deal with the rust, and leave the rest of the blade untouched as far as the finish goes.

 

[LittleAugieMo]

Welcome to Bladeforums KrazyPete.

I'd say that rust is going to require more than just polishing. At the very least some scrubbing with WD40 and 0000 steel wool, or some fine grit sandpaper.

As for the etch, if you polish that portion of the blade you are going to affect the etch, especially if you use a buffer. The etch might not disappear, depending on how much you polish/buff that area, but it will be less visible. The etch doesn't look very deep.

It looks like all the real damage on the etched blade is up along the spine (above the nail groove). I would just tape the blade off from the nail groove down with masking tape or aluminum duct tape, leaving only the area that truly needs work exposed, deal with the rust, and leave the rest of the blade untouched as far as the finish goes.

You may try using some " gun brite cleaning pads" they basically look like ss pot scrubbers but will safely remove light rust/freckling from blued& other firearms without damaging finish. I've used them on different knives&finishes