My blade needs work...

[67tony]

It's in good shape other than some tarnishing, if that's even the right word to describe it.
I've tried WD-40, then PB Blaster, with some steel wool...but that didn't do much.

I've got a bench grinder, and am fairly competent, so I'm wondering if there's a wheel, or product, or method to use in order to polish this blade back to shiny.

Thanks for any thoughts or replies!

 

[Eli Chaps]

It's just patina. High carbon steels do that.

Just sharpen it and oil it and let it be.

 

[Mistman68]

Personally I wouldn't want to polish it up, it looks great as is, there's no active oxidation.

Some people put a lot of effort into making new steel look like that, embrace the funk, it tells the story.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

While it can be cleaned, it will always be obvious.

 

[Tjstampa]

Personally I would just put some oil on it for protection. If I were to polish it I would use flitz and a polishing wheel on a dremel. As Bill DeShivs said you will be able to tell where it was cleaned

 

[Ourorboros]

Patinas actually help protect the blade.

 

[67tony]

Great replies, thanks a ton. I'm new to the forum, and already appreciate the expertise present.
So...the quality of the steel determines whether the blade gets desirable patina, as opposed to tiny rust spots?
Does the patina eventually turn to rust, or is it arrested by normal cleaning?

 

[Tjstampa]

A good patina bind the surface meteal and slow down the more destructive red and brown rust. However you should periodically check for the more damaging rust. IMO removing the patina will open the door to the possibility of the more damaging rust.

 

[67tony]

Awesome, that's good to know.
I will monitor my collection, and be mindful of the condition of the blades.
Even new blades need occasional light oil, right?
Are there oils (or products) to avoid, and oils that are preferred?

Sorry if these are basic questions!

 

[kvaughn]

0000 steel wool and WD-40. Sharpen it and use it.--KV

 

[Tjstampa]

Awesome, that's good to know.
I will monitor my collection, and be mindful of the condition of the blades.
Even new blades need occasional light oil, right?
Are there oils (or products) to avoid, and oils that are preferred?

Sorry if these are basic questions!

I have been using hopes gun oil, honing oil, and ballistal. Also mineral oil on kitchen and camping knives used for food prep and eating. I have also been following @razor-edge-knives corrosion testing thread.

 

[67tony]

Yes, I've done the WD-40 and steel wool method, followed up with some Mothers Mag & Aluminum polish.
It seemed to work very well.

Good point about mineral oil on food knives.
I'd imagine WD-40 to have a bit of an aftertaste!

 

[Bill DeShivs]

WD 40 contains mineral oil.

 

[Ourorboros]

So...the quality of the steel determines whether the blade gets desirable patina, as opposed to tiny rust spots?

No, you'll get a patina with steels that have impurities like sulphur or phosphorus. It's largely a matter of what the iron is exposed to - you don't want a high moisture environment. Or high oxygen, but how often does that happen?
The exception is if you have some acid in that moisture - like meat, mustard, some fruit mashes. But don't keep it in there forever.
Cleaning and oiling is the way to go.

Unless you are Japanese. Those guys will keep polishing a blade instead of using a patina as a semi-protective coating.