Hammer brand fishing knife

[Mitt]

So after posting in the hats & knives thread I remembers spotting this knife in one of the many tackle boxes my grandfather left me. Its in rough shape but it was his for I don't know how long. I kind of want to clean it up some and put in with some of my gear. So far I have put some 3 in 1 oil in it and taken some honing oil and old shirt to remove some lighter surface rust. What would be best to remove some of the deeper rust spots?

These pictures were taken before I did anything to it.

 

[Blake the Blade]

Worth preserving for practical and sentimental reasons I would say.

 

[Old Hunter]

That's a shell handled knife, made by Imperial using both the Imperial and Hammer tang stamps. Sold inexpensively on cards in gas stations, diners, hardware stores, etc., a great piece of Americana and a family piece for you as well. I would use some fine steel wool and gun oil to clean it up of the surface rust and sharpen the blade - those blades take a wicked sharp edge. OH

 

[Old Hunter]

Here is a single blade I used to own, still has the wrapper on the metal shell handle. OH

 

[3fifty7]

Hammer brand? That looks identical to fishing knives made by Imperial, but many mfgs could have produced something very similar. I am assuming the knife has little monetary value only sentimental, I have several myself, so an outcome pleasing to the owner is what matters.

Im not advocating you do this unless someone way more experienced than myself backs it.

What about a soak in vinegar?
I've soaked some heavily rusted axe heads in vinegar with pleasing results. Though I have not done this with a traditional pocketknife.

 

[Ernie1980]

With knives in that condition I use a wire brush to remove the rust. Dip it in oil and to to town! Just a word of advise- use a steel brush over brass or the metal picks up the color of the brass...

 

[afishhunter]

Hammer brand? That looks identical to fishing knives made by Imperial, but many mfgs could have produced something very similar. I am assuming the knife has little monetary value only sentimental, I have several myself, so an outcome pleasing to the owner is what matters.

Imperial and Hammer Brand were/are both owned by Schrade.