cosmoline on my knife

M

medicjon

Joined
Jun 5, 2006
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3
I recently purchased a vintage NATO rigging knife online. The knife was covered with cosmoline. An online search of this material stated that it could be removed with cascade and warm water. I did this and now i have some staining on the blade and what appears to be some slight pitting. Id like to remove this with some steel wool but i am hesitant as i dont want to do anymore damage. Does anyone have any idea about removing the stains? oh yeah, the cosmoline is still there in some parts, not sure if i have done the right thing.:confused:
 
When I got my SKS packed in Cosmoline, IIRC I used a toothbrush and mineral spirits or Gasoline. Are you sure the staining and pitting was not there before you used the cleaner?
 
not sure...it was covered in the stuff, i just let it soak
what about the steel wool? should i try it?
 
I don't know about the steel wool, but if it is a carbon steel blade, soaking it was probably not the best idea. That could easily cause corrosion. I would have used a brush or rag to wipe the cosmoline off, and never left it wet.
Maybe someone else will have an idea. The steel wool would probably work, but it might also leave small scratches on the blade.
 
Steel wool won't scratch your blade. WD 40 will dissolve the cosmoline without rusting your knife.
Bill
 
Brasso, or flitz and a "little" elbow grease will take off cosmoline quite easily. Also, the knife could have very well been pitted, and or stained underneath it. It happens with guns and bayonets that are covered in it for years. Like anything else it tends to dry out some and break down.
 
I'm curious if you bought your "NATO rigging knife" on eBay and , if it's the same one myself and thousands of others have bought.
Mine varied some from the posted pic , mine had some pits , blade play , horridly dull sheepsfoot , takes a pair pf pliers to even open the blades and spike , all around it just stinks.
If these knives were standard issue , I feel bad for the troops.
 
i bought it from seigler and co...im pretty happy with the knife....it just doesnt look as pristine as the one in the pic on the website....the steel wool worked wonderfully. thanks
 
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