Rust removal and prevention on older knives.

L

LadyAilbhe

Joined
Nov 26, 2009
Messages
5
Hey Guys. I'd like some advice on how I can reduce the amount of rust on an older knife my boyfriend recently purchased for me. Being the type of girl who enjoys restoring "old stuff" to its former glory when he spotted what the shop assistant claims to be a "Gurkha Knife" he couldnt resist the urge to buy it and make me smile.

The knife blade has some rust issues along the entire blade (9 1/4 inches from tip to center of the handle/blade join, 1 3/4 inches at the widest point, 1/4 inch thick at the spine). Mostly it appears to be surface rust, but there are a few smaller spots on the blade, including one on the tip of the blade which look very much like they go close to, if not, all the way through the metal. Is there any way other than completely re-profiling the blade that I can remove the Rust?

There is also a small knife that is one of a set of three that slip into their own little niches in the back of the sheath that has the same rust problems.

Surprisingly enough, the edge itself has stayed reasonably keen, which makes me think this knife may be a decent knife to use once it is restored.:)

The Knife, complete with sheath (possibly made from Buffalo Leather) and one of three smaller knives cost around fifty dollars AU.

I will get some "before" shots tomorrow and post them asap to give you a better idea of what I am working with.

Thanks in advance
Ailbhe
 
Mix 80% Vaseline with 20% Mineral Oil to prevent rust, also if the sheath is made out of leather, do not store the knife with oil in the leather for long as oil will damage the leather.

As for rust removal, if the rust is not too deep/many in the knife, I would use a high grit sandpaper and lightly scrub it off. But if the rust is too much, covering the entire knife, then I would just leave it.
 
Remove the rust with 0000 steel wool and oil. Regular 3 in 1 oil works well.

Prevent rust by putting a "patina" on your blade with lemon juice.
 
The Sheath is made from what I belive is Buffalo leather stretched over wood. The insides are producing a very fine dry powder reminiscent of that which wood borers leave behind when the wood is all gone and there is nothing left to eat. The stitching along the lower half of the sheath is rotted and there is a small amount of the interior showing.

The sheath is very dry and along the stitching is quite hard (and inflexable). I am looking into specific leather treatments to soften the sheath just enough to either remove it and replace the wooden interior or if necessary just re-stitch.

I havent been able to get any photos as yet, but I will soon.

Thanks again!

Ailbhe
 
There may be no value there beyond what you paid for it but on the off chance don't go sanding, scrubbing, or taking apart if you are going to post photo's.

Some of the Kukri collectors here will know the steel and sheath and be able to offer good advice.

In the meantime you might like to check out the Himalayan Imports forum here.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=739
 
I'd recommend a stop by Bernard Levines sub section here.

You also may want to search his sub section for care of antique stuff like leather, as I recall dark, cool and controlled humidity is best for slowing decomposition.

For rust removal, a simple polishing compound.

If looks aren't everything, it's easily achievable with a dremel and a buffing wheel and some buffing compound.
 
Naval Jelly or good old Flitz (or an metal polishing compound) scrubbed with #0000 steel wool. If that doesn't work use ultra fine sandpaper with the metal polish.

To preserve either use "Renaissance Wax" or "Tuf cloth"s. ;)
 
nutz_about_knives said:
Naval Jelly or good old Flitz (or an metal polishing compound) scrubbed with #0000 steel wool. If that doesn't work use ultra fine sandpaper with the metal polish.

To preserve either use "Renaissance Wax" or "Tuf cloth"s. ;)
Click to expand...

Where can you buy Flitz or a metal polishing compound?

Whats a good metal polishing compound?
 
 
lady....mix four parts of water with one part of molasses.....put it in a tall container and sit the khukri blade in it.....just leave it sit and it will remove the rust and leave the patina on there......i would not soakthe handle in that mixture....but it works great on rusted steel.....u also have th ebenefit of keeping the character of the blade instead of just scrubbing it off with an abrasive.....ryan
 
ryan9977 said:
lady....mix four parts of water with one part of molasses.....put it in a tall container and sit the khukri blade in it.....just leave it sit and it will remove the rust and leave the patina on there......i would not soakthe handle in that mixture....but it works great on rusted steel.....u also have th ebenefit of keeping the character of the blade instead of just scrubbing it off with an abrasive.....ryan
Click to expand...

:) Thanks for the tip Ryan! I never realised that Molasses could be used to remove rust. Would this still work after a gentle clean with WD40 and a soft brissled toothbrush? I would really rather not use a heavy abrasive on it at all (if I can help it) and I Dont own a Dremel (or similar) to clean it up with.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top