Newbie-I think I messed up-

[ruzales]

I recently was handed a large collection. Some good stuff, some not so good stuff. I am a fabric artists and as such value my scissors and other cutting tools, so I'm a little thrilled at having this collection. My first plan of action in learning about my new interest is the care and cleaning of the knives. The collection was started in the 1990's (as far as I can tell from the receipts kept) and stored in a very damp room. Many are rusted on the blade, the handle and even the snap on some of the sheaths.

I am experimenting on rust removal on the ones made in Pakistan and/or have no markings. (I don't dare do anything to the better brands just yet). I used a non-abrasive rust remover (Not Bartender's Friend as I haven't gone to home depot to purchase it yet) and I think I left it on too long. While the rust did come off the patina of the blade changed as well. I will try to up load a picture so you can see.

My questions:
Is it worth trying to clean off the rust if one side of the blade is completely rusted or should I just chuck the whole thing?
If I changed the blade itself by leaving the rust remover on too long, have I completely ruined the knife?
Is there any market for lightly rusted knives, even though they are made in places like China and Pakistan?
How do I responsibly dispose of knives that are too rusted? I'm not convinced just throwing them out with the household garbage is the right thing to do.

Any thoughts, suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

OK, sorry no pic-don't see an a

[/url] [/IMG]

 

[Bastid]

Welcome to Blade forums. I moved this from shop talk since that is a forum for knife makers to exchange information.

There really is not much of a market at all for used or rusted knives from those two countries as far a the collectors market. That is not to say that they would not be a bad thing to have in a tool box or tackle box, but the market would be pretty much limited to inexpensive tools.

In general for any collectable and that without a doubt includes knives, when you clean it especially a cleaning that would remove or change patina the collectable value will decrease in the market. Best advice I can give, if it is a collectable knife that you do not want to use, do not even come close to cleaning it up. Oil and a toothpick or qtip would be as far as I would go.

 

[ruzales]

Thanks, I'm going to remember this forum cuz it looks like the one I'll need the most - especially since I don't what I'm doing - yet!! Looks like a lot of knowledgeable people here, don't want to embarrass myself too much just yet.

 

[Seals]

You definately need to at least stop the rust process.Oil and q-tip or soft cloth,nothing agressive.After that it depends on the knife if its worth it to go further.If its a great knife,it will never be mint again,but possibly can be professionally cleaned to look excellent and darn close to it.