As I suggested to Eamon. You might want to consider electrolysis for rust removal if you don't want to induce any more extra scratches and such.
-AJ
There is a product called Evapo-rust that will neutralize rust without affecting the underlying steel. It avoids the problems associated with electrolysis and acids. It is used frequently in the restoration of antique woodworking tools. It is available at many auto parts places among others. It gets under the rust.
Spike C
"The Buddha resides as comfortably in the circuits of a digital computer or the gears of a cycle transmission as he does at the top of a mountain."
Pirsig
Probably just a concoction of phosphoric acid which convert the rust to a rather durable iron phosphate. Available at many farm stores especially in dairy areas, probably Home Depot too. Coca Cola is probably as effective given enough soak time for a knife.What problems have you experienced with electrolysis?
-AJ
I haven't lived the life I wanted, just the lives I needed too at the time.
don't know how to make the pic bigger. If anyone has a computer brain could they resize it for me?
I haven't lived the life I wanted, just the lives I needed too at the time.
Okay, so I've worked a lot on this for the past week. Sanding, buffing, polishing, sharpening and soaking the handle. This will still need a new handle. I am impressed with the color and shape difference a couple day's soak in mineral oil made, but it still fits ill and the metal underneath will have to be cleaned up.
The pitting was serious, some spots along the edge acted as overginds too-so some of the edge is kinda wonky. But it will be corrected over time as more sharpening occurs. Sharpening was tough at first, but once a new edge was formed, the steel really reacted nicely to some higher grit stones. Still some wedging issues with cutting. But hey, It's back in working condition after many years on(what looks like) the Titanic.[IMG][/IMG]
The pictures don't do the knife justice. The pitting is almost cool looking, like a weird pattern. [IMG][/IMG][IMG]
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This is all for now. Will probably be a little while until I work out a handle. Any ideas/comments on handle material?
Keeping with a restoration theme, some bog oak, or african blackwood would bring the handle back to life, and keep it nearly as dark as it is now.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Feel free to visit my website, http://www.rodrigueknives.com
Email pierre@rodrigueknives.com
Looks great. A huge improvement: it can be used again.
Any idea of the thickness behind the edge, let's say at 5mm? If you were to perform some thinning a part of the pitting issue would be solved as well. Do you want to keep the finger guard as it is?