How to clean a found pocket knife

[Waterdog]

I just recently found a buried pocket knife and was wondering how you guys would clean it up ?

 

[MikeLab]

Maybe electrolysis?

 

[Ronstar]

I found one recently that was at one time a pretty classy knife. I will be watching this post……

 

[relicmeister]

Wire brush, sometimes a file on rusty part of blade coat with matte modge podge. Works every time.

 

[Ronstar]

Confused a bit Relicmeister…… wife tells me modge podge is what she uses to glue a puzzle she wants to save (its a glue she wipes over the surface and it glues the pieces into place) ? Also did you mean matte, as in the color shine, or mat like she is suggesting. How does a glue clean and restore (if you know) or is it like Elmy’s Super Secret Sauce!!!! It just does….

 

[Draco]

I just recently found a buried pocket knife and was wondering how you guys would clean it up ?

If you put a photo, it might help you a little better.

 

[Fredneck]

I just recently found a buried pocket knife and was wondering how you guys would clean it up ?

I've been experimenting with this product on the fragile iron for a couple years now with good results. These with preserved wood and bone handles from a Civil War camp, after a light wire brush and a heavy coat were done over a year ago and holding tight. Got the product at the auto store.

 

[relicmeister]

Ronstar, I’ve been using Matte( low luster) modge podge on all my iron finds. It just works great and is so darn easy to work with. It suspends further rusting well. I use it on some non ferrous like pocket knives too.

 

[Draco]

When something is really rusty and has a history, it is better to neutralize and leave it as it is, rather than attempting an extreme restoration, at the risk of being lost forever.
A neutralizer, okay.
If the rust is superficial, better steel wool 0000, with oil and patience.
The old will always be old ...