What's in the Toolbox

L

Lazarus22

Joined
Dec 17, 2010
Messages
3
Very much a newbie here.

I just starting collecting folders. Some of the ones I have "obtained" are in very rough shape (rust etc). So, I would like to ask what kind of supplies should I get to restore/clean knives I pick up a flea markets, garage sales and estate sales.

Sorry if this has been asked a thousand times. I didn't find a post like this, and I'm getting excited. :)
 
two grinders, one with a fine stone and a buffing wheel on the other end and use the other set for a paper wheel system. that should pretty much take care of nearly everything.
 
0000 steel wool, WD 40, Simichrome polish or NeverDull magic wadding, toothpicks, Q tips, rubbing alcohol, rags, paste wax or neutral shoe polish, gun or 3-in-/One oil.
Don't use any power tools unless you are very familiar with their operation.
Don't "clean" any potentially valuable knife with anything other than WD40 and a rag.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
0000 steel wool, WD 40, Simichrome polish or NeverDull magic wadding, toothpicks, Q tips, rubbing alcohol, rags, paste wax or neutral shoe polish, gun or 3-in-/One oil.
Don't use any power tools unless you are very familiar with their operation.
Don't "clean" any potentially valuable knife with anything other than WD40 and a rag.
Click to expand...

Thank Bill. I have most of what you suggested. I have started out "obtaining" small folders. I started out with a small Gesco that is in terrible shape. Both blades are pitted etc. I figured I would start developing my skills on it.
 
I would add to this a small stack of old pennies. I use them to rub the red rust off of any metal on the knife without removing any patina. I say old pennies because they are solid copper and are softer than the steel. Even steel wool will scratch a knife sometimes. Also if you get one that is gun blued try using the tip of a number 2 pencil to get the rust off, it wont scratch the bluing off.


-Xander
 
They are pre 82' pennies to be exact.



fast14riot said:
I would add to this a small stack of old pennies. I use them to rub the red rust off of any metal on the knife without removing any patina. I say old pennies because they are solid copper and are softer than the steel. Even steel wool will scratch a knife sometimes. Also if you get one that is gun blued try using the tip of a number 2 pencil to get the rust off, it wont scratch the bluing off.


-Xander
Click to expand...
 
Bill DeShivs said:
0000 steel wool, WD 40, Simichrome polish or NeverDull magic wadding, toothpicks, Q tips, rubbing alcohol, rags, paste wax or neutral shoe polish, gun or 3-in-/One oil.
Don't use any power tools unless you are very familiar with their operation.
Don't "clean" any potentially valuable knife with anything other than WD40 and a rag.
Click to expand...

Very good advice indeed!

Some of them are made of very low grade steel and easily damaged by any type of power equipment. Yet a few of therm are rare, and quite valuable.
 
The newer, zinc pennies are even softer than copper.
Pencil erasers are very abrasive-and they WILL remove bluing.
 
Erasers will for sure, but not the graphite point. Its a trick I learned after my first season of duck hunting. Only works for small spots, I wouldn't want to do much more than that with just a pencil point.


-Xander
 
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