Cleaning and using these two

Z

zeppos

Joined
Mar 3, 2006
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217
I've posted these pictures some time ago on BRL's forum, but i'd like to hear your opinions on how i should clean these two old little knives for every day use.

The first is a German Loewen Messer. BRL suggested (and who am i to doubt him) that the bladeshape has been reground: the tang seems to have been filed away, this suggest that the blade used to be bigger (sheepfoot or hawkbill or something). It's nice to know and it doesn't make me like it less...

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This Voos USA knife is the other one:

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Both knives have some rust, on blade, bolsters and liners. How can i get rid of it without distroying the character of the knives. As i said, i'd like to use them, i think they'll ride just fine in my pocket.
 
A rust eraser or some sandpaper ranging from low to high grit grit (120, 320, 600 or something similar), and some masking tape are all that's needed to clean it up. Tape off the handle so that you don't accidentally scuff up the handle (tape right behind the bolsters), and then take the rust eraser or lower grit sandpaper to the rust trying to use as little pressure as neccesary, and take your time. From there, get finer and finer with your grits, consistently going up-down-up-down for a while and then left-right-left-right fo a spell aswell. From there, you can choose how you finish the blade.

The liners can be doneby putting the paper in there and just sanding as well as you can. Remember not to use too much pressure or take away too much metal (for bolsters, blades, or the liner).
 
I'd use a rust removing gel. Apply it with a small artist brush. Leave it sit a few minutes. If needed, use a blunt wooden toothpick to move it around a bit. Wipe it off with a damp rag. Repeat as needed. Far less invasive than sandpaper. Just my 2p worth.
 
smiling-knife said:
I'd use a rust removing gel. Apply it with a small artist brush. Leave it sit a few minutes. If needed, use a blunt wooden toothpick to move it around a bit. Wipe it off with a damp rag. Repeat as needed. Far less invasive than sandpaper. Just my 2p worth.
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:thumbup: Yeah- that does sound easier and less problematic... I wish I'd known about this stuff a few months ago.
 
Rust removing gel sounds very interesting! Does it leave the patina on the blade or does that disappear to? And afterwards, do you just rinse it with water and dry it?

Oops, damp rag, right...

Can you use it to cut food after that?
 
zeppos said:
Rust removing gel sounds very interesting! Does it leave the patina on the blade or does that disappear to? And afterwards, do you just rinse it with water and dry it?

Oops, damp rag, right...

Can you use it to cut food after that?
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I don't know the definitive answer to the food question and would not want anyone to try it based on my advice. Supposedly 'safe and effective removal of rust' Does come with the warning 'Not to be swallowed'

It does dull a polished finish which can easily be restored with a little Flitz or you can leave it dull.
 
This "rust removing gel" is probably what I know as "Naval jelly", available in most US hardware stores. If so, it'll remove all types of oxidation, which includes rust, patina, and gun bluing (he says from experience). It'll probably leave the metal a little discolored, too.

-- Sam
 
Once you use fine-grit sand paper or brass wool or whatever to get off the heavy stuff, I'd suggest a serious rub-down with a Miracle Cloth. I've used mine (purchased on Ebay for a song) to remove a blotchy botched potato patina from carbon steel blades, and also to put a shine back on dull, oxidized bolsters on old slippies.
 
Really nice your old Lütters Loewenmesser!
My favorite EDC is a new Sailorknife from Lütters, wich has a realy similar form, just with a sheepfoot blade.
I think all the above mentioned ways to get rid if rust are really good,
what I WOULD DO..
soak the knife a day in oil and later rub with steelwool or scote brite.

PLEASE post a few pics when it's done, I would love to see these bautys!

regards
surfer
 
You might want to find out just how old it is. If it has Antique status and is a rare knife you may actually be devaluing it by cleaning it. Just a thought.
 
z282z06 said:
You might want to find out just how old it is. If it has Antique status and is a rare knife you may actually be devaluing it by cleaning it. Just a thought.
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That's a very good point. I support the idea of doing a little research first before cleaning just in case.
 
z282z06 said:
You might want to find out just how old it is. If it has Antique status and is a rare knife you may actually be devaluing it by cleaning it. Just a thought.
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I have seen on the Antiques Roadshow many, many times where somebody "cleaned up" something and destroyed half the value of the item.

I'd just rub it down good with an oily rag, get off as much loose dirt and rust as you could, and use them like that.

Clean it up? Man, think of the charater going away.:eek:
 
JK, i think i'll follow your advice. The character, the history they show, that's why i like these little knives.

But have you got any idea which oil i should use to do this rubbing down with? I still plan to cut fruit/meat with them...
 
sixgunner455 said:
Food safe mineral oil (Johnson's baby oil).
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Not the same thing.

Baby oil has fragrance added, and I'd be surprised if nothing else was added. It's meant for external application.

You can buy generic mineral oil in most drugstores, for pennies a bottle. It can often be found in the laxative section. Don't worry, the dosage for laxative use is in the tea-to-tablespoons range. A drop on your knife blade is not going to give you the whoopsies.

-- Sam
 
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