Preservation advice

[Shorttime]

I collect electrician knives, and when I found this magnificent warhorse on the auction site, I knew I couldn't leave it's fate to chance.

As somebody who doesn't spend a lot of time in Trad, I bring a customary offering of pictures.

"Used but well-kept" is the theme of this Olean NY, Ka-bar. From the covers, to the blade.

About half of these that I see for sale have been sharpened into a recurve, or the blade is half as wide as it should be.

The screwdriver tool is in the same kind of condition.

My plan is to carry it very occasionally, when I want to have a knife, but I anticipate no need whatsoever for having to use it. I have no intention of restoring or altering it, in any way. I want to keep this knife as much like it is now, as I can.

That's why I need your help: what sort of additives, coatings, or other treatments would you recommend for wood and steel, to preserve the patina?

Thanks in advance!

 

[BDubbs]

I’d clean it up with a soft bristle brush, wipe it down with your favorite 3 in 1 or gun oil and call it a day. Nice find!

 

[BrotherJim]

My go-to for preservation and maintenance is Mineral Oil, light machine oil and Renaissance Wax
If a knife is particularly gunky, I might pour Break Free CLP over it, work the blades and rinse under hot water
Dry by rubbing between palms, micro-fiber cloth, placing in a sunny window
But to keep it simple, BDubbs nailed it

 

[BrotherJim]

... Specifically, if the handle material is porous (most anything other than synthetic material) I use a q-tip to evenly spread mineral oil over one side of the handle
Let it stand several hours or over-night and then apply mineral oil to the other side of the handle
I use Renaissance wax on every kind of handle. For example, that TL-29 I pictured (which I've had over 30yrs since my military career) developed some kind of white-ish discoloration coating on the handle
Rubbing with Renaissance Wax polished that coating right off. And I use the wax as maintenance on all handles to help in preservation. A little goes a long way
Light machine oil for the joints and blade rub down. Again, a little goes a long way and why I use that micro applicator.

 

[Angry Waiter]

Renaissance wax is a good choice if you don’t plan to eat with it. Food grade mineral oil if you do

 

[glennbad]

I might also add that if there is any sign of corrosion down in the blade wells, use a toothpick or similar tool to loosen up the corrosion. Then perhaps a drop or two of oil down in there and stir it in with the toothpick. You can then use compressed air to blow out any gunk. I would also check the liners to make sure there is no active rust on them. If that comes in contact with the blades, it can rust them. If I see that, I'll sometimes take a razor blade and wrap some 220 grit around it and run it up and down the inside liners to sand that away.

Of course, if the knife was a mint safe queen, I probably wouldn't recommend any of that, but since you said you would carry it...

Oh BTW, that's such a nice old knife, even I wouldn't mod it! Thanks for sharing it!

 

[chevyrulez1]

Mineral oil is good for the blades if you plan on using it for food prep, however if you are not planning on using it for food prep Breakfree CLP is one of the best rust preventatives that I have used. It is safe for wood, plastics, and steel so should be GTG for knives.

 

[Jack Black]

Renaissance wax is a good choice if you don’t plan to eat with it. Food grade mineral oil if you do

I might also add that if there is any sign of corrosion down in the blade wells, use a toothpick or similar tool to loosen up the corrosion. Then perhaps a drop or two of oil down in there and stir it in with the toothpick. You can then use compressed air to blow out any gunk. I would also check the liners to make sure there is no active rust on them.

I find pipe-cleaners good, and canned air is cheap to buy