Restoring Old Japanese knife

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NineZeta

Joined
Dec 23, 2024
Messages
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Hi everyone
I inherited this old Japanese knife. It appears to be a deba knife with a single bevel. It's in really bad condition and I'm wondering how anyone with restoration experience would go about it. So far, I've just removed some rust, but the scratches on the edge are a bit too deep. Also, is it even worth restoring back to almost near pristine status? Here are some of the photos ...
https://imgur.com/a/Wzvlq9S
Thanks in advance...
 
Having it properly restored would cost well above what the knife is likely worth.
 
NineZeta said:
Hi everyone
I inherited this old Japanese knife. It appears to be a deba knife with a single bevel. It's in really bad condition and I'm wondering how anyone with restoration experience would go about it. So far, I've just removed some rust, but the scratches on the edge are a bit too deep. Also, is it even worth restoring back to almost near pristine status? Here are some of the photos ...
https://imgur.com/a/Wzvlq9S
Thanks in advance...
Click to expand...
Does it have sentimental value?
 
If you just wanted to make it usable again, you could have someone regrind the bevel and add a handle.

Making it look brand new will be more involved. You could do it with an assortment of sandpaper, but it's going to be very time consuming.
 
I would even be tempted to salvage the existing handle, with a mix of epoxy and wood sawdust, which might be available by sanding a not-visible section of the handle.
 
It'll need a new handle, and with that damage there will be rust on the tang that will need treating. This is what i would do if i'm trying to keep original details:
Remove handle, remove loose rust with steel wool. Boil for a while in trisodium phosphate to try to fix some of the patina on various surfaces (converts the iron oxides into iron phosphates, converts Fe2O3 to Fe3O4 which is more stable)
Polish the bevel, starting at probably 120 grit from the look of it. Polish the back as well
New handle, i assume it'll take a commercial wa handle from the look
 
Looks like an ajikiri. There are tons of YouTube videos of DIY restoration of old single bevels. It’s not in that bad shape; just gonna take some patience and time.
 
Mitchell Knives said:
If you just wanted to make it usable again, you could have someone regrind the bevel and add a handle.

Making it look brand new will be more involved. You could do it with an assortment of sandpaper, but it's going to be very time consuming.
Click to expand...
Sand paper to an heritage Japanese knife? Really??
 
If by that you mean to ask where I get my Rhynowet sandpaper, I think I last made a purchase from that internet site named after a river in South America.
 
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