Dad's Old Camillus/Imperial

I like to 'rescue' old knives. Family knives are tricky. If it were me, I'd want to get them as clean as I could. If that is what you want, here's what you do. (BTW, there is little monetary value involved here, so that's not an issue)

Buy some WD-40 in a jug or spray for a while till you have enough to cover the knives in a small container of some kind. Let em just soak for a day or two. Then, get some super fine steel wool and get that rust off. Clean out the liners and the springs. Careful with the plastic handle on the TL-29. Next, wash them really well with HOT, HOT water and dishsoap. The WD-40 displaces water, but if you keep at it, you'll get results. Dry them fairly well. Next, the mineral oil. Let em soak for a day or two, same way...enough to cover the whole knife. Get some pipe cleaner and toothpicks. Get in there. Work the joints. Wipe down and enjoy. I might give em a hot water wash before the wd-40, too. You'll be amazed how nice that tl-29 will end up.

hawaiianhawk said:
As for the patina, it's a heavy red patina that's kept the blades from pitting, but there is some red rust there and I'd like to clean them up. The screwdriver blade is especially hard to open and close. Any advice?
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Thank you. I need to get some steel wool. I've been working very slowly and carefully with 400 grit sandpaper and a green Scotchbrite pad, with WD-40 and 3-in-1. I'm getting good results just working slowly at it a few minutes at a time; there's a lot of black patina and some very light pitting. Thank you for the advice.

Thatotherguy, trust you to come through with something interesting. Thank you.
 
My TL-29 is in much better shape now. I intend on carrying it.

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Sweet.

Ho'omaika'i 'Ana
 
Mahalo nui loa, 'o Knarfeng. :)

It turned out well and the blades have a lot of life left in 'em. Strong snap, locks up tight... And that old steel takes a wicked, wicked edge. I carried it all day yesterday for the first time. I dulled the rest of the screwdriver blade (that just seems like trouble waiting to happen, having that sharpened) and just know it'll be a useful little scraper/screwdriver/light prying tool.
 
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