Restoring an old African knife

[Usernamesarehard]

First of all, Im a student with no experience in restoring or really great "knife knowledge" other than a good old google search.

The knife obviously is rusty but there is also the sheath, which is partly broken, dry and the leather has fur on the inside. Do not really know if the fur part is important for the restoration method or not.

Other than the knife supposedly is from Africa, I have no clue about it.

What can I do here? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Here is a link to the pictures: https://postimg.cc/gallery/LPsHrnm

 

[HeavyHanded]

That thing has a great look! If it were me I'd make a new sheath and try to clean off the blade as best I could with oil and a rag.

I wouldn't do anything to it without someone more knowledgeable chiming in...@Bill DeShivs maybe?

 

[Usernamesarehard]

That thing has a great look! If it were me I'd make a new sheath and try to clean off the blade as best I could with oil and a rag.

I wouldn't do anything to it without someone more knowledgeable chiming in...@Bill DeShivs maybe?

Thank you. I am trying cleaning the knife that way currently
I really want to save the sheath if I can, I broke it myself as a kid putting the blade down the wrong way and kind off feel bad about it.
Anyways the sheath is, in my opinion as worth saving as the knife.
But I get your point.

 

[000Robert]

Thank you. I am trying cleaning the knife that way currently
I really want to save the sheath if I can, I broke it myself as a kid putting the blade down the wrong way and kind off feel bad about it.
Anyways the sheath is, in my opinion as worth saving as the knife.
But I get your point.

I agree! I wouldn't do anything to the knife or sheath until an expert looks at it.

 

[HeavyHanded]

Thank you. I am trying cleaning the knife that way currently
I really want to save the sheath if I can, I broke it myself as a kid putting the blade down the wrong way and kind off feel bad about it.
Anyways the sheath is, in my opinion as worth saving as the knife.
But I get your point.

I agree, don't throw it out or anything! I do know that sometimes leather reaches a point where it will not be serviceable anymore, while that knife looks like it has more stories to live.

I would duplicate the pattern in the leather onto a block of wood and press it, or carve it directly into Kydex and carry that sucker...but that's just me. What are the overall dimensions?

 

[Conrad smith]

I would also just leave it as it, until a professional can take a look at it. I'm sure someone will chime in but I don't know how to help with the hole in the sheath, I'm with Mr heavyhanded I'd slap it in some kydex and carry it lol. I'm wondering if you could sew a patch of leather onto the outside or inside or something? I don't know. You can get some of the heavy black spots off with 0000 steel wool and then a polish with some brasso or other metal polish, again I think I'd leave it, but up to you.