Restoration question

[zozurr]

Hello
I found this straight on flea market.
I would ask you how to clean blade without removing gold?
I would re-scale it using mahogany (from damaged acoustic guitar ).

 

[Freedom]

I can't comment on the gold wash but if that is orange (active) rust on the tang I would get some sandpaper on it and then oil it up just to stop any further corrosion before you tackle the gold wash area.

 

[BillEllis]

The gold?


Hold right hand out like you are being sworn in or reciting an oath.

Take your right hand, at the wrist, and tilt it forward at a 45 degree angle while keeping the fingers together and your hand in a straight plane.

Pause only slightly at this 45 degree angle and then return the open hand to the upright position.

Without delay, return your hand to the 45 degree angle... now back up again.

Repeat this procedure until it become one continuous motion.

It's called the bye-bye technique...

 

[Seraphim]

The gold?


Hold right hand out like you are being sworn in or reciting an oath.

Take your right hand, at the wrist, and tilt it forward at a 45 degree angle while keeping the fingers together and your hand in a straight plane.

Pause only slightly at this 45 degree angle and then return the open hand to the upright position.

Without delay, return your hand to the 45 degree angle... now back up again.

Repeat this procedure until it become one continuous motion.

It's called the bye-bye technique...

Yup.

It depends on what you want:

If you want to keep the gold, that means you also keep the scratches.

If you want to lose the scratches, that means you will also lose the gold.


EDIT:

BTW, even without the gold, I bet that'll be a nice arzor once you're finished.