Knife care?

N

n1niq

Joined
Aug 25, 2002
Messages
4
Hi all.

I'm new to the forum and have a general question.

I have a small collection of fixed and folding blade knives that I acquired as a kid. Some date back to to the 1800's but they probably only have value to me.

My questions are:

1. how do I clean off surface rust/tarnish correctly

and

2. What is the correct way to store old knives

Any help would be appreciated.


Chris
 
Welcome. I'd check the archives, I'm sure you'll find some threads relating to this.
I'd suggest carefully scrapping rust off with another blade. This will probably reveal pitting, which you'll be stuck with unless you "clean" the blade with a belt sander or other abbrasive. I consider this a sin because it removes any original finish, but some collectors prefer them all polished up better than new. Anyway, if you can't get tarnish off with anything stronger than Flitz polish, I'd leave it and call it character.
You must then routinely oil the blades and other metals and store in a clean dry place. There are hundreds of competent oils, natural, synthentics, and mixes, but I prefer Janpanese sword oil. It's natural, mild, and does't go rancid. It's also good for natural handle materials and even good for your skin. Very expensive, but a little goes a long way. That's just my opinion, it works for me.
 
Just as a point of interest, if any of the knives have any antique value, cleaning the tarnish off will lower that value substantially. Even with rust, they're worth more with the rust than cleaned up.

Like Mike said, if you clean off the tarnish, you'll have to keep after them to keep them from rusting.
 
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