Should I try to clean and buff this before selling?

[TheLastUserName]

Ruana 30A. About six years old (I think), and has never been sharpened and has stayed in its sheath most of the time.

I found a bit of Tar (or something) on the blade along with a "smear" mark (does not feel like actual scratchs.) The black spots that you see are not pits, but something on the blade.

The knife was coated with a heavy grease and placed in its sheath for long term storage (I guess.) I think this is what is on the blade.

I am going to list it on E-bay, and I'd like to remove the mark, but I'm nervous that I'll scratch it if I get to aggressive. So far, I've only used a bit of WD-40 and a T-Shirt.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c55/TheLastUserName/Knives/suff.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c55/TheLastUserName/Knives/RuanaScuff.jpg

 

[lambertiana]

I would never think of doing anything other than trying a good solvent with a very soft rag (if it is indeed due to old grease). If you buff it, it will ruin the original blade finish, and that is far worse than having a little spot on the blade.

Depending on what state you live in, you might be able to get the spray can of brake cleaner that has perchloroethylene in it, that is great for degreasing. Don't get it on the handle and use a soft cloth. And don't breathe the fumes too much. Or try a local hardware store for 1,1,1-trichloroethane. Depending on the composition of the grease, perhaps even methanol would do the trick.

 

[bob bowie]

Looks a bit Green/brown, like the vertigas(sp?) type tarnish that the rivits on the sheath can also get sometimes.

Coat it with mineral oil, and let it sit a while, if it doesn't come off, leave it alone.

 

[TheLastUserName]

It looks like the remaining specs are a result of some minor pitting. Also, the blemish does appear to be light damage to the finish (which may have been something that could be buffed, but I don't know about the little pits.)

I'm thinking of sending the photos to ruana knife works to see if they would refinish the blade, and if so how much would that cost.

I would like to fix it if possible, but I don't know how much such a repair would cost, and I don't know how much the value is reduced "as is."

 

[waynorth]

It looks like the remaining specs are a result of some minor pitting. Also, the blemish does appear to be light damage to the finish (which may have been something that could be buffed, but I don't know about the little pits.)

I'm thinking of sending the photos to ruana knife works to see if they would refinish the blade, and if so how much would that cost.

I would like to fix it if possible, but I don't know how much such a repair would cost, and I don't know how much the value is reduced "as is."

Clean only, don't buff or use abrasives. If I'm buying a knife, I don't want anyone else's idea of "cleaning it" to mess up the original lines. In my opinion, "as is" is worth much more!