How Should I Clean This Knife?

T

Toasterlurkr

Joined
Jul 9, 2017
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So I found this knife in my basement when I was cleaning it out a little bit and it's from the people who lived in my house last. They must have left it behind but I was wondering how would I go about cleaning it and making it look nice again? I don't really plan on using it for much other than to have something that looks pretty neat. If you have any suggestions let me know

MpAz9Or

http://imgur.com/a/rIpn4
(direct link to image if it doesn't load)
 
Hi. I have done a few knives that looked like that. Now depending how bad the blade is I started out with 80 grit sandpaper and worked my way up to about 700 or so and then hit it with polish. I also have sanded if necessary the guard as well but usually they have cleaned up with just polish. Then the handle and it depends on what the material is. It is hard to tell from the pic what it is made of. Cleaning up the guard I have used my Dremel and a polishing attachment and they came out nice.
It will take a lot of time and patience but the end result will be worth it.
Good luck Toasterlurkr
Regards
Tar :)
 
Don't get 80 grit sandpaper anywhere near it!
Use wet/dry automotive sandpaper, starting at 320 grit, then 400, then 600,800, 1000, 1500, 2000.
Before doing ANY sanding, I suggest scrubbing the entire blade with 0000 steel wool-dry. Then use WD 40 on a cloth and wipe the blade down-more rust will come off on the rag. Do this several times. The blade may come out looking much better. If not, THEN sand.
 
It looks like an old Western brand W49 Bowie. If you look at the guard beside the blade tang, you may see the word WESTERN and then W49 or BOWIE on the other side.

Probably not much in the way of collector value, but they were/are useful for some cutting shores. Occasionally there are old sheaths for these on fleabite..er, 'scuse me, fleabay.

~Chris
 
Real W49 bowies are bringing pretty good money these days.
My bet is the OP's knife is a Pakistani knock off.
 
I suppose that I should have been more specific in my answer above about the sandpaper. Yes I agree with Bill but if necessary and depending on how bad the rust is some lower grit sandpaper can be used. I have done a few where 320 would not even begin to do anything and had to go lower. It just means that you have more work to do to bring the steel back without the scratches. The one I did that I had to go to the lower sandpaper came out very, very nice with a bright mirror finish.
Regards
Tar :)
 
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