Rusty knifes - The Firearms Forum

Appliancedude · 09-12-2009, 12:11 PM

I inhereted my dads knife collection when I moved out on my own. I also left them right where I found them, in the bottom of the gun cabinet. So for some reason I was in the drawer and started looking at all the knifes. They are all rusted. To much humidity in the drawer. So what can I use to get the rust off without causing anymore damage to the blades than there already is?
Thanks

Kieran McCaig · 09-12-2009, 12:12 PM

light rust or heavy and pitted

Appliancedude · 09-12-2009, 12:37 PM

Both. Some have very light rust and some have thick. Sorry the pic quality isn't real good. I want to clean them up and build a display case for them. Or somehow hang them up to show off.

300 H&H · 09-12-2009, 03:16 PM

On rusty machine surfaces, a bit of oil and a 3M scotchbrite pad (scouring pad) will get most of it off, and not damage the surface finish, but I have not tried it on a rusty knife blade. It may be a place to start....Good luck with these, Kirk

Bill DeShivs · 09-12-2009, 04:47 PM

0000 steel wool and WD 40. Scotchbrite pads will scratch the surface.

shootstr8er · 09-12-2009, 07:45 PM

id use, navel jelly. then polish with ooo steel wool and oil of ur choice.. i finnished a few ww2 knives and bayonets this way.

Bill DeShivs · 09-12-2009, 08:40 PM

Naval Jelly and other phosphoric acid rust removers will etch the metal.
Use 0000 steel wool and WD 40. It's what I use, and they pay me the big money to do it.

300 H&H · 09-12-2009, 09:04 PM

Thanks Bill,

I did not know scotchbrite would harm a polished surface. I used it on an old turning lathe that the fomer owner had kept in an unheated shop. It was very good for removing the surface rust. Just did not know it was that agressive. Regards, Kirk

Appliancedude · 09-13-2009, 12:57 AM

Thanks for the input guys. I appreciate it

Bill DeShivs · 09-13-2009, 01:05 AM

Yes. Gret Scotchbrite is what Ruger suggests using to match their matte stainless finish.

Appliancedude · 09-13-2009, 01:13 AM

One more question. For the really bad knife should I let the wd40 soak in for a while? Or does it matter?
Thanks again

Big ugly · 09-13-2009, 01:28 AM

It may not matter, I would try to attack it with a polishing wheel and a Dremal

johnlives4christ · 09-13-2009, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big ugly

It may not matter, I would try to attack it with a polishing wheel and a Dremal

maybe thats why the wife shoots you in the butt with her lil darty bb gun. you been "attacking" her kitchenwear with a dremel tool

kutaho · 09-13-2009, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnlives4christ

maybe thats why the wife shoots you in the butt with her lil darty bb gun. you been "attacking" her kitchenwear with a dremel tool

FOML

kutaho · 09-13-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill DeShivs

0000 steel wool and WD 40. Scotchbrite pads will scratch the surface.

+1
I use a Arkansas soft honing stone
to work out shallow pitting.
Time consuming, but good steel is worth it.

Oldeyes · 09-15-2009, 10:13 AM

When presented with a moderately rusted but still otherwise good knife on which I wish to preserve whatever remains of the underlying finish, I first attack the rusted surface with water and either Zud brand or Bar Keepers Friend brand of non-scratching powdered kitchen cleanser. Both of these cleansers contain oxalic acid which slowly chemically dissolves only the rust and leaves the original metal finish intact. I make a thick slurry of the water and cleanser on the blade and work it about first with my fingers and sometimes later with a damp rag. After generally no more than two or three such applications I can at least see precisely what it is I am working with on the blade. On heavily rusted knives such as some of yours, I would also do as previously recommended with the oil and 0000 steel wool process as the first step to get the rather heavy accumulation of surface rust off. That would then be followed by a good dose of a grease busting liquid dish detergent to break down all of the residual oil caught in the metal pores. Rinse well and then give the rust dissolving oxalic acid enhanced cleanser slurry a try to get the next layer of rust and rust stain off. When done to your satisfaction, seal the knife surfaces with a light oil. I have also found that the blend of nice smelling natural oils contained in the G96 Gun Treatment product does an excellent job of protecting the surfaces of fine knives from either initial or further rust.

Maximilian II · 10-16-2009, 09:55 PM

While we're talking rust, I've got a little issue with my Windlass broadsword getting little spider-web shaped tendrils of rust forming on the hilt and scabbard furniture. It's been coated with WD-40 from day one, regularly re-applied. Any suggestions on a better protectant? This isn't a wall-sword, it's a real (non stainless) steel weapon. The scabbard is wood, covered in leather with steel furniture that matches the sword.

09-12-2009, 12:11 PM	#1
Appliancedude Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The true northern Cal Posts: 1,562	Rusty knifes I inhereted my dads knife collection when I moved out on my own. I also left them right where I found them, in the bottom of the gun cabinet. So for some reason I was in the drawer and started looking at all the knifes. They are all rusted. To much humidity in the drawer. So what can I use to get the rust off without causing anymore damage to the blades than there already is? Thanks __________________ It ain't broke it just lacks duct tape. The nice thing about opinions is everybody has one. -->

09-12-2009, 12:12 PM	#2
Kieran McCaig Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: canada Posts: 1,469	Re: Rusty knifes light rust or heavy and pitted

09-12-2009, 12:37 PM	#3
Appliancedude Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The true northern Cal Posts: 1,562	Re: Rusty knifes Both. Some have very light rust and some have thick. Sorry the pic quality isn't real good. I want to clean them up and build a display case for them. Or somehow hang them up to show off. __________________ It ain't broke it just lacks duct tape. The nice thing about opinions is everybody has one.

09-12-2009, 03:16 PM	#4
300 H&H Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,796	Re: Rusty knifes On rusty machine surfaces, a bit of oil and a 3M scotchbrite pad (scouring pad) will get most of it off, and not damage the surface finish, but I have not tried it on a rusty knife blade. It may be a place to start....Good luck with these, Kirk

09-12-2009, 04:47 PM	#5
Bill DeShivs Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Contributor Posts: 1,469	Re: Rusty knifes 0000 steel wool and WD 40. Scotchbrite pads will scratch the surface. __________________ Bill DeShivs www.billdeshivs.com

09-12-2009, 07:45 PM	#6
shootstr8er V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: cent fl.the mouse is 30 miles north.and tampa 60 miles west.. Posts: 79	Re: Rusty knifes id use, navel jelly. then polish with ooo steel wool and oil of ur choice.. i finnished a few ww2 knives and bayonets this way.

09-12-2009, 08:40 PM	#7
Bill DeShivs Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Contributor Posts: 1,469	Re: Rusty knifes Naval Jelly and other phosphoric acid rust removers will etch the metal. Use 0000 steel wool and WD 40. It's what I use, and they pay me the big money to do it. __________________ Bill DeShivs www.billdeshivs.com

09-12-2009, 09:04 PM	#8
300 H&H Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,796	Re: Rusty knifes Thanks Bill, I did not know scotchbrite would harm a polished surface. I used it on an old turning lathe that the fomer owner had kept in an unheated shop. It was very good for removing the surface rust. Just did not know it was that agressive. Regards, Kirk

09-13-2009, 12:57 AM	#9
Appliancedude Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The true northern Cal Posts: 1,562	Re: Rusty knifes Thanks for the input guys. I appreciate it __________________ It ain't broke it just lacks duct tape. The nice thing about opinions is everybody has one.

09-13-2009, 01:05 AM	#10
Bill DeShivs Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Contributor Posts: 1,469	Re: Rusty knifes Yes. Gret Scotchbrite is what Ruger suggests using to match their matte stainless finish. __________________ Bill DeShivs www.billdeshivs.com

09-13-2009, 01:13 AM	#11
Appliancedude Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The true northern Cal Posts: 1,562	Re: Rusty knifes One more question. For the really bad knife should I let the wd40 soak in for a while? Or does it matter? Thanks again __________________ It ain't broke it just lacks duct tape. The nice thing about opinions is everybody has one.

09-13-2009, 01:28 AM	#12
Big ugly Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Knoxville Tennessee Contributor Posts: 2,603	Re: Rusty knifes It may not matter, I would try to attack it with a polishing wheel and a Dremal __________________ "You say the Devil made do it with a smile. Raisin' hell and howlin at the moon. Well I'm gonna put your @$$ back in line. I'm gonna scare the Devil out of you." BlackBerry Smoke Song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R513dA4peMg Nothing is "proof" against a truly talented fool. Swanshot

09-15-2009, 10:13 AM	#16
Oldeyes V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 218	Re: Rusty knifes When presented with a moderately rusted but still otherwise good knife on which I wish to preserve whatever remains of the underlying finish, I first attack the rusted surface with water and either Zud brand or Bar Keepers Friend brand of non-scratching powdered kitchen cleanser. Both of these cleansers contain oxalic acid which slowly chemically dissolves only the rust and leaves the original metal finish intact. I make a thick slurry of the water and cleanser on the blade and work it about first with my fingers and sometimes later with a damp rag. After generally no more than two or three such applications I can at least see precisely what it is I am working with on the blade. On heavily rusted knives such as some of yours, I would also do as previously recommended with the oil and 0000 steel wool process as the first step to get the rather heavy accumulation of surface rust off. That would then be followed by a good dose of a grease busting liquid dish detergent to break down all of the residual oil caught in the metal pores. Rinse well and then give the rust dissolving oxalic acid enhanced cleanser slurry a try to get the next layer of rust and rust stain off. When done to your satisfaction, seal the knife surfaces with a light oil. I have also found that the blend of nice smelling natural oils contained in the G96 Gun Treatment product does an excellent job of protecting the surfaces of fine knives from either initial or further rust. Last edited by Oldeyes; 09-15-2009 at 10:14 AM..

10-16-2009, 09:55 PM	#17
Maximilian II Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Northwest GA Posts: 1,381	Re: Rusty knifes While we're talking rust, I've got a little issue with my Windlass broadsword getting little spider-web shaped tendrils of rust forming on the hilt and scabbard furniture. It's been coated with WD-40 from day one, regularly re-applied. Any suggestions on a better protectant? This isn't a wall-sword, it's a real (non stainless) steel weapon. The scabbard is wood, covered in leather with steel furniture that matches the sword. __________________ Karma is just justice, without the satisfaction. And I don't believe in justice. -Joe Sarno, bagman.