How To Clean up a REALLY old knife.

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Aug 9, 2020
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I have an old knife (traditional folder maybe?) that was passed along to me from my grandfather. It is super old and super stiff. The blade is also not in good shape.

After reading around the forum a bit, I was inspired to clean it up. What do I need? Oil? Or what?
 
As always a picture would help to show the condition and possible issues.

This should almost come with a Hippocratic oath: first do no harm.


When I began to clean up one of my grandfathers traditionals I ran the pivot under hot tap water for a good 5 minutes then another 5 with it halfway open. Then I brushed it with a toothbrush water and dish soap. Rinsed thoroughly and dried thoroughly, by blowing it out with compressed air. Then lightly oiled it and worked the pivot a couple hundred times.
Lather Rinse Repeat as Necessary
YMMV
 
^
What these guys said.


Don’t get all ham fisted with a wire brush. Start slow with hot water and soap, use a toothbrush, toothpicks, and q-tips to start.

A good soak in WD40 after, and more work with above mentioned tools.

Keep care to not go overboard with the scales, as they may be fragile.

Pics would help.
 
I'd second the idea of starting simple and working your way up in aggressiveness. Can always take away, just can't put back.

Also, pictures would be dope.
 
I would upload pictures, I just can’t figure out how... do I need a subscription or something?

Ok, good. I have dawn dish soap, an old tooth brush, and mineral oil. Should the oil be applied via a dropper?
 
Here:
a25fe8a2-27ae-4d1e-b283-a71e789323f6-jpeg.98255

Honestly isn’t that impressive, but I want it up and working again.

I do have another (will upload photo later) that is an actual traditional folder. (As in real wood)
 
DON'T "Clean it up" or "Restore" to make it look new!
That destroys all the history, and if a "collectable" destroys any value it may have in its original used condition.

"Preserve" what is there. Get rid of any active red rust. Sharpen the blade(s), clean the joints as and how mentioned above, then lube the joints with mineral oil. A patina helps prevent rust by the way, and does not harm the blade(s). No reason to get rid of it.
The bolsters don't have to reflect like a mirror, either. (Actually, highly polished bolsters and blade(s) on an old knife are signs a blade or blades have been replaced, and the knife may be a fake, or "Frankenknife", made up of parts from several different knives.

As others have stated, pictures will help.
You'll need to use a photo hosting site like Imgur, (don't use Photo Bucket) or upgrade your membership level to at least "Basic" to post photos.
(instructions on how to post using Imgur et-al, are in a stickie on the top of the first page of every sub-forum.)

Welcome to the forums. :D

EDIT:
If that is your SAK type knife in post number 8, just sharpen it, oil the joints, and use it.
Those blades don't look bad, nor like they were ever mirror polished.
 
Here:
a25fe8a2-27ae-4d1e-b283-a71e789323f6-jpeg.98255

Honestly isn’t that impressive, but I want it up and working again.

I do have another (will upload photo later) that is an actual traditional folder. (As in real wood)
I saw this one, after posting my reply, and edited my reply. If mine, I would just clean and oil the joints, sharpen it, and use it.
From what I see, it doesn't appear to need more, IMHO. :)
 
I mean, the blade is really rusty, the handle is dirty, it’s stiff, etc.

What do I need to do to get this thing operational again? ( I inherited this knife from my great grandmother)
 
I mean, the blade is really rusty, the handle is dirty, it’s stiff, etc.

What do I need to do to get this thing operational again? ( I inherited this knife from my great grandmother)

Get a Super Eraser for the blades, it won't scratch the blades up. Some WD 40 for the joints to clean the rust and some oil to lubricate.

DGJclRm.jpg
 
DON'T "Clean it up" or "Restore" to make it look new!
That destroys all the history, and if a "collectable" destroys any value it may have in its original used condition.

"Preserve" what is there. Get rid of any active red rust. Sharpen the blade(s), clean the joints as and how mentioned above, then lube the joints with mineral oil. A patina helps prevent rust by the way, and does not harm the blade(s). No reason to get rid of it.
The bolsters don't have to reflect like a mirror, either. (Actually, highly polished bolsters and blade(s) on an old knife are signs a blade or blades have been replaced, and the knife may be a fake, or "Frankenknife", made up of parts from several different knives.

As others have stated, pictures will help.
You'll need to use a photo hosting site like Imgur, (don't use Photo Bucket) or upgrade your membership level to at least "Basic" to post photos.
(instructions on how to post using Imgur et-al, are in a stickie on the top of the first page of every sub-forum.)

Welcome to the forums. :D

EDIT:
If that is your SAK type knife in post number 8, just sharpen it, oil the joints, and use it.
Those blades don't look bad, nor like they were ever mirror polished.

THIS Plus a zillion!!!!!!

Too many people go ape and ruin the knife by trying in a ham handed way to restore. NEVER restore, but preserve. Preserve what it is, and how it was when the ancestor used it. Stay the heck away from all sandpaper and Scotchbrite. Absolutely no buffing wheels!!!!

Age and patina can tell a story if we have enough sense to slow and listen and look. I don't see any rust on those blades, but just a graying of age. Patina. Just a good wipe down with a rag and mineral oil.
 
Super Eraser on the blades. Do not use WD 40 and the eraser at the same time
Anything else I can use? (Steel wool maybe)

I couldn’t find the Super Eraser on Amazon.

THIS Plus a zillion!!!!!!

Too many people go ape and ruin the knife by trying in a ham handed way to restore. NEVER restore, but preserve. Preserve what it is, and how it was when the ancestor used it. Stay the heck away from all sandpaper and Scotchbrite. Absolutely no buffing wheels!!!!

Age and patina can tell a story if we have enough sense to slow and listen and look. I don't see any rust on those blades, but just a graying of age. Patina. Just a good wipe down with a rag and mineral oil.
Oh yes no buffing wheels.

There is rust in the blade, even if you can’t see it from the photo. :)

Many people keep suggesting mineral oil. I have some, but do I just lather the knife in it? Or use a dropper or what?
 
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