Stain removal from blade

B

Bootfasa

Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
8
Thanks again to everyone who helped me get rid of the mysterious green gunk. I consider myself fortunate to have found this forum.
New issue at hand. I am trying to clean up my blade. I read the FAQ, but only found how to polish. These stains show up much better in real life. There appear to be some kind of water stains dripping down the blade. These will not wipe off, period. Along with these are a bunch of other misc. stains. What would be the best way to get rid of these?
Thanks again,
-Doug
stain
 
Metal polishing paste might work. Something like Flitz, or Maas. Heck some toothpaste, and an old brush will clean up my khuk's.
 
Personally, I'd say that if it doesn't come off easily with Flitz paste and very fine wire wool, leave it be; anything heavier-duty is likely to cause rather more uglies than it'll cure - especially if this is an old khukuri, in which case the blade patina is part of its history and character. Emery cloth, Dremel tools and buffing wheels can strip off a century of patina in minutes. Putting it back on again, so that the knife looks right, is way harder.

Given where they are, it's possible that those marks represent a rudimentary hamon - bear in mind that the blade will have been quenched and tempered originally by trickling water down the red-hot edge from a kettle. I've noticed that when I've used my Kobra for clearing some kinds of vegetation and left it uncleaned for a day or so, the acids in the plant juices have very lightly etched the blade, leaving a shadow which I believe may be a temper-line.
 
Ask this Q of JP or Berk. If theres any value to it they'd tell you if removing the stains would decrease the value.

To me the issue would depend on whether the stains came from honest use or from neglect.

If it's honest wear, I'd keep it.

If neglect, restore it. Which means refinishing the whole blade to match.
 
I was taught by an old Gunsmith, that if you can not remove all of the rust and stains from very old weapons with oil and rubbing with a smooth piece of hard wood, Leave them and keep it oiled.
Further grinding and polishing will do nothing but ruin what value an old weapon has.

I don't know how old your Khuk is but all these minor nicks and stains do not take away from the value of the Khuk,if kept clean and oiled.

Hope what I was taught long ago was some help.
 
Thanks for the advise, everyone. I think I will just keep it clean and sharp, and let the stains be.
-Doug
 
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