What would you do with this?

N

No_b00st

Joined
Aug 10, 2008
Messages
563
Ok, I am seeking some advice here. I just got handed this nice old fixed blade, which my dad got when he was fifteen - putting the age of this knife somewhere around 40 years. Now, for it's age, it's in good shape. He wants me to clean it up a bit, make it nice, you know, but this is such a (relatively! Remember, I'm 21) old knife that I'm afraid of messing it up. The blade is the main problem area. Back towards the tang there is minor pitting and corrosion, but it starts to get pretty deep down toward the tip. I'd really like to remove the corrosion from the blade, get it looking good, and put a decent edge on it, then focus on the handle. What would YOU do with this knife?

BTW: the markings are almost invisible, the only part I can make out is "Sheffield, England."





 
Buy some flitz and put some elbow grease into polishing the blade. It will be enjoyable to bring a shine back, and it is not too abrasive to ruin the blade. It usually results in a mirror finish, and it will remove the crust out of the pits, although the pits are a permanent scar, it brings out character. I did not see any blade etching, Flitz would rub that off, so be careful there. Once you get the blade done, you could sharpen it with a guided apparatus like a Lansky for about 45 bucks. I have no expertise on the handle, sorry. Remember to have fun restoring the knife. Be careful, you will get hooked on this activity. Happy Thanksgiving.
 
looks like a nice knife to me, its cool that its in such good shape.

if it were me, i would first dull the edge so that it couldn't cut me. then i would start sanding the blade down with 100-200 grit paper. i like to leave some of the patina, so i don't scrub all the way down to bright metal, i just rub off all the spotting and surface rust. after that i might work up to 400 grit, i like a softer sheen, not too shiny. you can take it to whatever grit you want.

once the blade is looking nice and even (and clean!) i would resharpen and probably lightly oil the blade with your protectorant of choice.
 
Pretty much agree with siguy. Will add that removing pitting by hand can be much more of a job than you expect ... I prefer emery cloth to SiC paper because it cuts faster; shoot it with WD-40 or better yet use cutting fluid and it will work better still and last longer.
 
are supposed to look old! personally i wouldnt get too aggressive with it. Thats just me though. Likely if the pitting is real bad you may have to remove alot of steel in order to get rid of it. But if the man wants a shiny knife then i suppose go for it:D:thumbup: Hand sanding can be pretty labour intensive and the results can vary.
looks like a great knife
cheers
ivan
 
IVANKERLEY said:
are supposed to look old! personally i wouldnt get too aggressive with it. Thats just me though. Likely if the pitting is real bad you may have to remove alot of steel in order to get rid of it. But if the man wants a shiny knife then i suppose go for it:D:thumbup: Hand sanding can be pretty labour intensive and the results can vary.
looks like a great knife
cheers
ivan
Click to expand...
+1:thumbup:
patina is the magic word :D

Peter
 
Unless you have professional polishing equipment, and the skill to use it-you are better off steel-wooling the blade and oiling it up.
 
I'd keep it the way it is, maybe clean it up a little to halt the corrosion. It'll make some nice history to hand down to your kids. (grandpa's knife)
 
While many like Flitz here, for restoration I'm a big fan of MetalGlo. It does a good job of removing the residues of corrosion without biting into the patina. Brings a nice, softly bright finish to the blade but with all of the charm that a good patina has to offer.
 
I think I would just put a good edge on it and then take it out and do some fun cutting with it. cutting would clean up the blade a bit. I think it would be a shame to polish it up,Great looking knife as is .
 
I have 2 Sheffield kinives just like this .Both around 30-40 yo.
One is W.M Fagan & Son the other William Rodgers(icutmyway).
The handles are horn. A mate of mine(Shep) cleaned the Fagan up very shiny on his benchmounted rag wheel using wax -top job. The Rodgers which I've only just purchased has been USED & abused-it was rust stained & slightly pitted. I was in the process of cleaning it with wet n dry paper -coarse 180 thru to 1200 fine. I sliced my finger so the advice about dulling the edge is well given-even then be v careful.When this is done it will probably go to Sheps house For a mirror shine like its brother.
merry Xmas
meako
 
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