Recommendation? Whats the best way to polish my great grandfathers hunting knife?

[Expaustin]

It was a lot worse but I used vinegar or something awhile ago but have been afraid of doing anything else because of the etching. For the sheath I'll probably just use Obenauf's. Is it safe just to use a bunch of sand paper or any other ideas?

 

[not2sharp]

We cannot see the image, but generally the less you do the better knife you will have. Whatever marks are on that knife we’re made by your grandfather. Keep it that way and buy a new knife if you like shiny objects.

n2s

 

[bigsurbob]

Do nothing.

 

[afishhunter]

Sharpen and use it.
"Preservation; Not "Restoration.""

Vinegar will give a carbon steel blade a patina, as you (apparently) inadvertently discovered.
There's nothing wrong with a patina. As a matter of fact, it helps protect the blade from red rust, which does damage a blade.
After use, wipe dry and apply a light coat of mineral oil, or other food grade oil.

An over - cleaned or "restored" vintage anything loses a significant portion of whatever monetary value it may have. (For proof of this, tune in 'ANTIQUES ROAD SHOW' sometime. Worst I saw recently was a guy with an 1820's dresser. The owner removed the original finish, and refinished it, because "It was ugly!". Estimated auction value with original finish was a bit over $400,000. After he refinished it, $400 - $500. The guy kept saying "But it was ugly!!!")

If an old knife is "restored" or over-cleaned, people immediately think "fake" or "parts knife"/"Frankenknife".

 

[000Robert]

Sharpen and use it.
"Preservation; Not "Restoration.""

Vinegar will give a carbon steel blade a patina, as you (apparently) inadvertently discovered.
There's nothing wrong with a patina. As a matter of fact, it helps protect the blade from red rust, which does damage a blade.
After use, wipe dry and apply a light coat of mineral oil, or other food grade oil.

An over - cleaned or "restored" vintage anything loses a significant portion of whatever monetary value it may have. (For proof of this, tune in 'ANTIQUES ROAD SHOW' sometime. Worst I saw recently was a guy with an 1820's dresser. The owner removed the original finish, and refinished it, because "It was ugly!". Estimated auction value with original finish was a bit over $400,000. After he refinished it, $400 - $500. The guy kept saying "But it was ugly!!!")

If an old knife is "restored" or over-cleaned, people immediately think "fake" or "parts knife"/"Frankenknife".

Yep, when in doubt, leave it alone!