care for old slipjoints?

[deermaster]

if you find an old somewhat rusty slip joint, what do you do to prevent it from rusting anymore? i have an old ulster boyscout knife, and a large 2 bladed case "hunter", the blades are blackish gray (not rust, but not shiny steel...what is that stuff?), and the (im a slipjoint noob, i dont know the correct terms) bars inside the handle, the ones that lock the blades open, are rusted. to you all attempt to polish the blades shiny again? i sprayed them down with breakfree to hopefully soften the rust on the inside, and will try to remove it with a tiny piece of steel wool, but i think ill leave the blades like they are. will this hurt them? any suggestions for a slip joint noob?

 

[Bill DeShivs]

The discoloration is actually rust. You will not hurt the blades by scrubbing with 0000 steel wool and a light oil. They won't be shiny, but the active rust will be removed. Keep a light coat of oil on carbon steel parts to prevent further rusting.