GEC 73 Restoration Help

Hivoltage

Hivoltage

Joined
Sep 19, 2018
Messages
513
C1387064-883C-4620-9C0C-0868326F9FA0.jpeg 4F212203-E9D7-4CE4-B956-66D2AF0776E8.jpeg 84CC968C-985E-45BB-9A29-7ADAF414F8F3.jpeg BE7FFA30-58BD-42F4-9B5A-2B6EEB114E2B.jpeg Almost pains me to see this knife in its state but I know it can be saved. Lockup it like a trap and bank vault solid. This knife was neglected big time but looks like never really used factory edge. Any thoughts one what you would do. I was thinking send to GEC when I can or have an expert break it down and fix it up. 735109 liner lefty
 
Flitz or some other polish to smooth the rough areas?

If it were mine, I don't think I would break it down.
To me, it doesn't look bad enough to need that.
(on the other hand, what do I know?)
 
I would make sure there is no ongoing rust, fine steel wool if there is rust or scale, but I'd keep what is left of the factory finish!!
Then I'd oil it well, sharpen and use the heck out of it!!
Pretty soon the patina will even out, and its usefulness remains maximized!! Repolishing/refinishing is pointless, IMO!!
My three cents!!:rolleyes::D

Still a great knife BTW!!:)
 
That doesn’t look too bad. There’s no reason to break it down or sent it to gec. It’s never going to look brand new again, if thats what you are wanting. Cleaning it up a little is the best option.

Get some fine (0000) steel wool and oil. Use the steel wool to make sure and remove any red rust, and use the oil to rub everything down really well. If the blade well is rusty then do a couple cycles of oiling and blowing out, making sure to let the oil soak in a little while. Pipe cleaners are great for getting inside the blade well.

If there is any pitting I would not recommend polishing it with anything. Polishing will make pitting stand out even more.
 
waynorth said:
I would make sure there is no ongoing rust, fine steel wool if there is rust or scale, but I'd keep what is left of the factory finish!!
Then I'd oil it well, sharpen and use the heck out of it!!
Pretty soon the patina will even out, and its usefulness remains maximized!! Repolishing/refinishing is pointless, IMO!!
My three cents!!:rolleyes::D

Still a great knife BTW!!:)
Click to expand...
It's going to be carried for sure love the aging that's taken place. The rust is my main concern. thanks!
 
TheChunk91 said:
That doesn’t look too bad. There’s no reason to break it down or sent it to gec. It’s never going to look brand new again, if thats what you are wanting. Cleaning it up a little is the best option.

Get some fine (0000) steel wool and oil. Use the steel wool to make sure and remove any red rust, and use the oil to rub everything down really well. If the blade well is rusty then do a couple cycles of oiling and blowing out, making sure to let the oil soak in a little while. Pipe cleaners are great for getting inside the blade well.
Click to expand...
Sounds good, rust was my main concern and wouldn't mind polishing the bolsters a bit. thanks!
 
afishhunter said:
Flitz or some other polish to smooth the rough areas?

If it were mine, I don't think I would break it down.
To me, it doesn't look bad enough to need that.
(on the other hand, what do I know?)
Click to expand...
Appreciate your take on it! it's so tight i think taking it apart would be a disaster and not necessary!
 
If you're going to USE it... Just Flitz and oil it.
If you're trying to re-condition it for sale... Don't.
If you just want it to look pretty for your collection... Then maybe re-condition it.
 
JohnDF said:
If you're going to USE it... Just Flitz and oil it.
If you're trying to re-condition it for sale... Don't.
If you just want it to look pretty for your collection... Then maybe re-condition it.
Click to expand...
Definitely a user, the rust was my main concern. the aging that's takin place is pretty amazing
 
When you polish the bolsters I would put some painters tape on those beautifully aged scales to keep from marring them with the steel wool. Just a thought.
 
TheChunk91 said:
I wish everyone thought that, because a lot of nice old knives get jacked up by refinishing and/or polishing. :(
Click to expand...
ya the aging on it is awsone
Night Rider said:
When you polish the bolsters I would put some painters tape on those beautifully aged scales to keep from marring them with the steel wool. Just a thought.
Click to expand...

Ya I will do that as the aging it stunning. I’m going to use it but I would like to stop the rust and clean the bolsters up.
 
Thanks for the responses. I'll keep the threat open awhile longer. More pics of this beauty to come.
 
I wouldn’t do much at all, it’s hard to tell but it doesn’t look like there is red rust on it. If there isn’t just oil it really well with mineral oil and use it. If there is oil it really well and try to scrape off as much of the red with a popsicle stock and or toothpick then use it. If there is still some left use a paper towel soaked with vinegar to scratch it off with your finger nail then oil it and use it. I got this knife about two weeks ago and I left it out the second time I used it and then found it on the counter several days later almost completely rusted out with red rust, my wife apparently put it in the sink and it got buried, needless to say she isn’t allowed to use carbon steel for infinity + 1 (I’m not sure I can really enforce that but I’ll try) that was the second time I found the other one after just a couple hours but it had some red spots on it from water drops sitting on it. Anyway that’s how I cleaned this one up and it really doesn’t have any rough spots, but the oil and the vinegar both seem to turn red rust into patina. Sometimes in the summer knives will get some rust spots in the blade well just from the heat and humidity and pocket time and throwing them in a vinegar soak for 10-20 minutes takes care of it. To each their own though.
92E34D5F-B859-45BE-BAA9-59F1DCFFFF34.jpeg 7959D9E7-606D-444C-B0EF-521897CC66F1.jpeg 9CE6DC64-AB1E-4B10-9E58-551CE0D6B71E.jpeg
 
Not much use in my posting here... but I will anyway... I agree with the experts above... fine 0000 steel wool or very fine (gray) scotchbrite with mineral oil (3 in 1) or similar... get the "active" rust off it as quickly as possible, and if maintained, everything else will become well-earned patina.

of course, if you don't want to go to all that trouble, I'll give you $20 for the old piece of junk, and let you go buy a new shiny one.... :D
just another option....:cool:
 
jsdistin said:
I wouldn’t do much at all, it’s hard to tell but it doesn’t look like there is red rust on it. If there isn’t just oil it really well with mineral oil and use it. If there is oil it really well and try to scrape off as much of the red with a popsicle stock and or toothpick then use it. If there is still some left use a paper towel soaked with vinegar to scratch it off with your finger nail then oil it and use it. I got this knife about two weeks ago and I left it out the second time I used it and then found it on the counter several days later almost completely rusted out with red rust, my wife apparently put it in the sink and it got buried, needless to say she isn’t allowed to use carbon steel for infinity + 1 (I’m not sure I can really enforce that but I’ll try) that was the second time I found the other one after just a couple hours but it had some red spots on it from water drops sitting on it. Anyway that’s how I cleaned this one up and it really doesn’t have any rough spots, but the oil and the vinegar both seem to turn red rust into patina. Sometimes in the summer knives will get some rust spots in the blade well just from the heat and humidity and pocket time and throwing them in a vinegar soak for 10-20 minutes takes care of it. To each their own though.
View attachment 1330303 View attachment 1330304 View attachment 1330305
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Thanks for the input! That GEC kitchen knife with burlap Micarta is nice :thumbsup: I don’t mind a little rust and patina but dang this thing has some major pitting that’s why I wanted some input but I believe the methods you mentioned and above should take care of it and I got to it in time to prevent major structural damage.
 
hornetguy said:
Not much use in my posting here... but I will anyway... I agree with the experts above... fine 0000 steel wool or very fine (gray) scotchbrite with mineral oil (3 in 1) or similar... get the "active" rust off it as quickly as possible, and if maintained, everything else will become well-earned patina.

of course, if you don't want to go to all that trouble, I'll give you $20 for the old piece of junk, and let you go buy a new shiny one.... :D
just another option....:cool:
Click to expand...
Ya that’s my plan some super fine wool, oil and a good sharpen. I love the aging but I just want to stop the active rust and shine the bolsters a bit. Nah I don’t think you’d want it if I can’t get it in shape. I’ll probably just pitch it in the file 13 :D
 
Night Rider said:
When you polish the bolsters I would put some painters tape on those beautifully aged scales to keep from marring them with the steel wool. Just a thought.
Click to expand...
Ya will do! I might have to buy one of the 97 GEC Coke bottles in yellow rose that are still sitting in dealers stores. From seeing how the yellow on this one has ages beautifully I might try to hasten the aging just for fun.
 
Arrest the red rust and then don't worry about it.

This is the knife you won't be afraid to use. Enjoy that.
 
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