New guy needs help bringing great Grandaddy's knife back to life

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DeadEye09

Joined
Aug 4, 2011
Messages
6
Hey guys,
Ive poked around this forum for long enough, but I just haven't had much to contribute. Anyways, this is my great Grandaddy's folder....Im not sure how old it is, but it has 'Camillus, New York' at the base of the blade.

The handles are in pretty rough shape, and the blade itself looks like it has a patina on it, but there are some rust spots as well.

Can y'all tell me exactly what I have? And how can I remove the rust, without hurting the patina??(I think it looks cool on an old knife)

Any tips for helping the handles look a little better too?

Ok, I'll stop asking questions now...thanks for the help! Y'all seem like a really nice group of folks!
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a scotch brite pad or some steel wool with mild detergent on the blade will keep the patina but get rid of the rust. What exactly is the handle material made of? I think that would help better determine a path to take...
If its plastic or celluloid then a good sanding, progressively finer grit and a good buffing on a wheel will restore it.
If its wood then perhaps sanding or manufacturing some scales yourself, it would bring an even more personal touch to an already personal knife
 
I'm not sure what the handle is made of....but I'm pretty sure its not wood. Its too smooth and doesn't "feel" like wood, if that makes sense.

At least i know i was able to bring an edge back to it....just cut my finger :thumbed: what a dummy!
 
Nice hawkbill pruner. Those old Camillus knives take a good edge. Keep a light coat of mineral oil on the blade.
 
supratentorial said:
Nice hawkbill pruner. Those old Camillus knives take a good edge. Keep a light coat of mineral oil on the blade.
Click to expand...

That is all I would do. I would not use abrasives and I would not refinish it in anyway. That is a very wonderful knife to preserve just the way it is IMHO.
 
I would go as gentle as possible...a small piece of blue jean material soaked with WD40 Or Rem oil, and gently rub/ scrub at the rust with that, then let it sit and repeat...as for the scales a soft sponge and some mild dish detergent and gently wash them...sounds like you don't want to remove the character markings, and I don't blame you one bit...
Very nice to have a family piece such as this one. Good luck, and let us know how you make out.
 
I agree with Jake. Put some oil on the blade and call it good. If you insist on getting rid of the rust, I've heard that a wire wheel with brass bristles is aggressive enough to take off the rust but is still soft enough to leave the patina. For the handle, put it in your pocket and carry it. Just carrying it will work wonders on scales that are s little rough.

In short, oil the blades and stick it in your pocket.
 
Ranchmanben-sorry the wire wheel with Brass will be a bad move-I have used hundreds of those wheels - NOT ON KNIVES but in my occupation, even the scotch brite will damage the finish of the blade horribly, the only abrasive that you would use would be grade0000 steel wool- no courser
Nothing looks worse than a knife shiney'd up =yuk, the only time you would do that is if you have a basket case.
 
This is what I do, first dish soap and water, dry the knife, pivots and inside the handle with paper towels, next a little rubbing alcohol in the pivot to displace any water, it will also break up any gunk, old oil etc that might gum up the action, then a nice dose of mineral oil on the blade, pivot, inside handle, spring and scales, let it sit. If the red rust remains and can not be buffed out with a rag and mineral oil, I use a 320 grit wet sand paper or higher with mineral oil on it not water, pick one direction and with a gentle hand work the blade, don't use aggressive strokes or circular motions, a light touch is key.
From your picture it seems you have very little surface rust, should come off with a rag and mineral oil,
Here are some before and after pics, I linked you to my most rusted, restore
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/967204-Flea-Market-finds/page5
 
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Please don't ry to clean up the knife beyond rubbing the blade with a clean rag with some oil on it. The beauty of this knife is it's aged patina, and the wear marks put on by the original owner, your great granddaddy. That the knife looks pretty good speaks for the fact that he valued this tool, and treated it gently. I've seen way too many old knives, guns, and whatever that somebody got a hold of and tried to "clean it up." All they did in the end was totally ruin it.

Oil it, rub it down with a soft rag, and treasure it for the memories it holds and the stories it could tell.

Carl.
 
Carl is correct, maybe I should have been clearer, the only time I've needed to use any thing abrasive is when there was substantial red rust, your knife doesn't appear to have.
99% of the time mineral oil, some elbow grease is all that is needed
Example of substantial rust IMO
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Personally I would use some rust converter (oxalic acid) to turn the red rust spots black/purple. Neutralise by washing with mild detergent/washing up liquid. then Oil the blade.
Cleaning the scales (if you think it's necessary) would depend on what the handle material is, but fine steel wool is a fairly good start.
 
Thanks for the tip Duncan. I've never used a wire wheel on a knife either, I'd just heard that the brass wheels will not damage patina.
 
OOOO steel wool at the most. Oil and a rag and some considerate use would probably work fine. Neat old knife.Enjoy it!--KV
 
Wow, thanks a lot guys! I guess today after my classes I'm going to get some mineral oil and just clean it up a it with soap and water.

I was able to put a halfway decent edge on it last night, so once I finish that then I'll put it in my pocket from time to time! I definitely don't want anything to happen to it.

I really appreciate the help and consideration in perserving this old knife!!
 
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