How to remove this stain/etch?

[Krouton]

I’ve been working on restoring this old regent cutlery cleaver but it has this type of stain that seems etched into the metal in multiple spots. I’ve tried sandpaper, BKF, and Flitz but nothing is taking it off. Anyone know what happened here and how to fix it?

 

[gentiscid]

That knife is restored and ready for some work. Leave the stain/mark as is, it’ll give some character. Put the knife to good use and get used to it. After some time it will not bother u. To remove that u need a full progression on synthetic stones and then finish on jnats. I suggest u get another knife to practice that, not this cold rolled steel Regent or Forgecraft or Old Hickies, or anything of that era. They only need to get a sharp edge and be put to work.

 

[KenjiF]

Looks like pitting to me…if so you would have to grind material to get to it.

 

[Nemo]

The only way to remove scratches is with slightly finer scratches.

Then you need to remove those with slightly finer scratches.
Then you need to remove those with slightly finer scratches.
Then you need to remove those with slightly finer scratches.

Etc...

 

[ReiHamono]

If it’s a cheap knife you need to use coarser sand paper, if it’s an expensive knife you need to send it to a stoner

 

[Legion74]

Pitting. A buffer with compound might be able to remove it, being careful to not overheat, (or sand paper and a lot of elbow grease), but I would just leave it. Caused by surface rust eating away the steel. Don't stress. IMO an old blade shouldn't look too new.

 

[Benuser]

I’ve been working on restoring this old regent cutlery cleaver but it has this type of stain that seems etched into the metal in multiple spots. I’ve tried sandpaper, BKF, and Flitz but nothing is taking it off. Anyone know what happened here and how to fix it? View attachment 251405

Indeed pitting with a patina, and too deep to easily get reached. Would you still reach it, there is little advantage: expect a refreshing of the pitting and some minuscule deepening and widening. We can't restore steel that got lost. You probably best leave it as it is. The situation is quite stable.

 

[NickMinton]

Voicing what others have said that it’s probably not worth the time and effort.

If you did decide it was worth the time and you don’t have experience with polishing via stone progression, I would suggest using sandpaper and elbow grease, starting at 80 or 120 grit and going up from there

 

[HumbleHomeCook]

Leave it. It's fine. Just character now.

Keep it clean going forward so there's no spread. It's black so should be no problem.

 

[Krouton]

Thanks everyone, I didn’t realize this was pitting. I’ll probably just leave it as is then, I got it to this point about a year ago and stopped when I couldn’t get this to go away.