Repairing old knives

[bezoar]

I have two knives that need some TLC. They have been rusting up somewhat and I would like to rehabilitate.

One is an old "Hammer Brand" folder, with 2 blades and two accessory blades. All metal with just 3 rivets holding it together.

The other is a generic steak knife type with a stainless blade. with two brass screw type rivets holding it together that are weeking rust and a green goo.

So far I have just rubbed them down as best as possible with hoppes. Any advice on taking them apart for a cleaning?

 

[rich pierce]

I'd not take them apart- this would require filing off rivet heads, driving them out, etc. Complicated.

Take some hardwood sticks, make them the thickness of the slots for blades. Open the knife and use these, loaded with pumice powder, etc (use Lava soap if you have none)to rub things clean in there. Some of this abrasive left in there will clean the pivots also with repeated openings and closings.

 

[paulvallandigham]

Use either a commercial brass cleaner, or simply use a combination of salt and lemon juice( vinegar, or any other mild acid) to remove the green corrosion form those brass pins. You can clean up the blade using the same salt and acid combination. Then rines the knife thoroughly with water, and oil well.

As to the folding knife, You can use an old toothbrush and tooth paste to clean out the crud in the handles. Then use that salt and acid combination to clean the internal parts of the handle, the pivot screw, and the blade. Then flush everything with clean water, and oil. Working those blades back and forth will work the oil into the pivot, and help work out any corrosion that remain. Frequent cleaning and re oiling will keep the blades working in the future.

You can buff the blades with a buffing wheel and compound to return them to a bright finish, but on old knives, that seems to be a silly exercise. The blades are made of carbon steel, and not stainless steel, so they are bound to regain a new patina finish over time. Why remove the existing one? The value of the old knife is in its age and appearance.

The best thing you can do for an old knife after you clean it up, and get it working satisfactorily again is to put a good edge on it, and use it. Find a copy of the Razor Edge Bok of Knife Sharpening, by John Juranitch, 1985, Warner Books.
It is the best instructional manual on sharpening knives available. An old knife with a sharp edge is a thing of beauty.