work in progress. got some questions/ideas

[deezyrocks]

So I'm trying my hand at restoring this blade but I'm not sure the best way to go about it. Is it best to take the scales off to clean the blade around the tang or just do the best with them on. I like the scales but they are discolored a little and have some gouges taken out of them so I might just rescale it anyways. What do you guys think? I think it could end up real nice. Also is there a better way to get the patina off other then sandpaper? The blade was mostly black with a couple nice rust spot when I started but I'm having problems getting the last little bit off. I'm using 200 grit atm to try and get the nasty off before starting to polish with finer paper.

 

[jred]

It depends on how fancy you want it to be. I'd be leery of unpinning the scales, it's possible that doing that will cause more damage.
You can use power tools to speed up the blade cleaning progress, but personally I lean more towards just what you're doing, hand sanding. At least you don't have too much to worry about taking too much metal off that fat wedge

 

[HLS]

Wire wheel on a dremel for the rust in the pits, move up to 320 grit paper now for the patina, then 400 grit and so on until you have used all the grits up to and including 1000 and that will give you a nice finish. If you decide to put that much effort into it go ahead and unpin it so you can do the entire blade.

JIm

 

[skipnord]

That's a pre-1900 Wade and Butcher, which makes it "historically significant" in my book. I would do a careful cleaning, hone it up and use it. IMHO it is not a candidate for a beginner restore. If you want it taken apart and the scales restored, send it to one of our experts.

 

[deezyrocks]

Yeah you cant really see but the scales were pretty much toast. I am going try making some scales out of nice wood to keep the old look but I'm not that far in yet. I'm taking my time getting getting the black patina off. I kinda wish I would have started with a different blade in the box of rusty straights I scored but was scared I'd mess around and break the thin part of the hollow ground. Oh well. When I'm finished I'll post pictures.

 

[HLS]

The scales are still useable. A little bit of neatsfoot oil and some very fine grit paper will make them look very nice. I wish I had posted before and after pictures of some of the scales I've saved that most others would have quickly thrown in the trash. Super glue to fix the cracks and fill in bug bites. Oil and 1000 grit or finer paper to sand/polish smooth. I've even gone so far as to fill in bug bites with superglue, let it dry then color the newly repaired spots with a magic marker then another thin coat of superglue over that to protect the new "color finish". Hope you save the scales.

Jim

 

[Krodor]

my word, that is a fine hunk o' steel.