Straight Razor Rust???

[NAN]

Hello, I recently came across an old straight razor that once belonged to my Great Grandfather. It is in overall good shape! But sadly the entire blade is covered in rust. Is there anything I can do to restore it? The razor was made in Germany, and on one part of the blade it says "BLACK DIAMOND" Any information is appreciated!

THANKS!!!

-NAN-

------------------

-War alone keys up all human energies to their maximum tension and sets the seal of nobility on those people who have the courage to face it -Benito Mussolini-

 

[Matt Shade]

Jump over to the shop talk forum and ask this or just do a search on rust removal. I remember reading a couple good posts on it over there.
Chances are if the rust isn't deep you can polish it out by hand. Hollow grinds are hard to hand sand, Since its a straight razor at least the grind should be fairly straight. I would get a piece of stiff foam rubber to use a as a sanding block. Start out with 220 wet dry paper and sand lengthwise on the blade.The foam will conform to the blade and let you sand the whole surface without changing the shape. one you get all the rust off and the surface is nice and clean and free of any pitting move to finer grit and sand out all the 220 scratches. Go lengthwise on the hollow ground side everytime. You can switch directions with every grit on the flat side. Keep going finer until you get the finish you want. Make sure that everytime you change grits you sand until all the scratches from the previous grit are gone. Make even passes that are straght, absolutely no circular motion, it will leave the blade looking cloudy with little circular scratches.
Good luck and have fun ,it will take awhile

------------------
I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer... but I've got the sharpest knife in the room.