Got a nice knife? Let's see it.

[soyanarchisto]

Question for the experts: in preparation for moving, I ran across two Gerber knives I carried way back in the day when I was in the army. One is a Gerber BMF (not my photo):



And the other is a Gerber Mark II (Not my photo):



They are both heavily corroded and rusty. I assume its from being stored in my humid basement all these years in a cloth sheath. What is the best way to clean these knives up? The BMF I will likely get rid of but the Mark II has some sentimental value for me.

This is what the Mark II looks like right now:



Thanks

[Smithy]

600 grit sandpaper, steel wool, a little oil, and a lot of elbow grease.

Or send it to me and I'll clean it up for you. Ask EG about my work.

[Tripl Nikl]

Use STAINLESS steel wool, if you go that way.

[Roadracer_Al]

Google up "electrolytic rust removal".

It will take away the rust, but leave the base metal untouched.

[Fire Escape]

Originally Posted by soyanarchisto

Question for the experts: in preparation for moving, I ran across two Gerber knives I carried way back in the day when I was in the army. One is a Gerber BMF (not my photo):



And the other is a Gerber Mark II (Not my photo):



They are both heavily corroded and rusty. I assume its from being stored in my humid basement all these years in a cloth sheath. What is the best way to clean these knives up? The BMF I will likely get rid of but the Mark II has some sentimental value for me.

This is what the Mark II looks like right now:



Thanks

Judging by the serial number and blade shape, I think your Mk II is newer than mine but I expect that it is still made of tool steel rather than stainless. They will clean up as mentioned above, patience and oiled, fine, (stainless if you can find it, boat guys use it because it doesn't leave rust behind, look to marine suppliers) steel wool will get rid of the rust. If you find pitting underneath, you will have to decide between original +/- condition and polishing it. Your knife- your decision, collectors would probably lean toward keeping it as original as possible but their opinion doesn't matter until you are through with it. I don't remember much about what steel went into the BMFs, I think that it is a stainless (as to which one???) and I expect that it will clean up with the same technique, probably better results. I haven't seen much about the BMFs being really collectable, might as well hang onto that for a while longer as well.


Bruce

[Fire Escape]

Originally Posted by Roadracer_Al

Google up "electrolytic rust removal".

It will take away the rust, but leave the base metal untouched.

Good thought, I need to learn more about that one of these days.

Bruce

[soyanarchisto]

Originally Posted by Fire Escape

Judging by the serial number and blade shape, I think your Mk II is newer than mine but I expect that it is still made of tool steel rather than stainless. They will clean up as mentioned above, patience and oiled, fine, (stainless if you can find it, boat guys use it because it doesn't leave rust behind, look to marine suppliers) steel wool will get rid of the rust. If you find pitting underneath, you will have to decide between original +/- condition and polishing it. Your knife- your decision, collectors would probably lean toward keeping it as original as possible but their opinion doesn't matter until you are through with it. I don't remember much about what steel went into the BMFs, I think that it is a stainless (as to which one???) and I expect that it will clean up with the same technique, probably better results. I haven't seen much about the BMFs being really collectable, might as well hang onto that for a while longer as well.


Bruce

I'll for sure hold onto the Mark II as it holds a lot of sentimental value for me. The BMF not so much and its in much worse condition.

Thanks for the feedback fellas.

[Smithy]

I've been working on prototyping a knife, the first I'll do in "production" mode, hopefully with a run of 20 or so to see how they sell.

From design...




... to execution:





I call it the Everyday Companion. 3.75" of edge, 7 3/8" overall length. 1095 carbon steel, nickle silver bolsters and pins, G10 scales. One of the sharpest knives I've ever made, starting at 1/8" at the spine with both distal taper and a nearly flat grind.

Please pardon the bad photo and cat hair - it's 2am and I just came in from the shop.

[Mr. Fisherman]

Originally Posted by Smithy

I've been working on prototyping a knife, the first I'll do in "production" mode, hopefully with a run of 20 or so to see how they sell.

From design...




... to execution:





I call it the Everyday Companion. 3.75" of edge, 7 3/8" overall length. 1095 carbon steel, nickle silver bolsters and pins, G10 scales. One of the sharpest knives I've ever made, starting at 1/8" at the spine with both distal taper and a nearly flat grind.

Please pardon the bad photo and cat hair - it's 2am and I just came in from the shop.

Want... I wish I could afford one...

[ZzyzyxRd]

Originally Posted by Smithy

I've been working on prototyping a knife, the first I'll do in "production" mode, hopefully with a run of 20 or so to see how they sell.

From design...




... to execution:





I call it the Everyday Companion. 3.75" of edge, 7 3/8" overall length. 1095 carbon steel, nickle silver bolsters and pins, G10 scales. One of the sharpest knives I've ever made, starting at 1/8" at the spine with both distal taper and a nearly flat grind.

Please pardon the bad photo and cat hair - it's 2am and I just came in from the shop.

I've always liked your work, nice knife Smithy.

[Smithy]

I hope to keep them affordable, like, in the $150 range with hand-tooled leather sheath.

Thanks for the compliments.

[Chisenhallw]

[EvilGenius]

Originally Posted by Smithy

Ask EG about my work.

[Mr. Fisherman]

Originally Posted by EvilGenius

Shoulda come with a box for your finger....

[Mr. Fisherman]

Originally Posted by Smithy

I hope to keep them affordable, like, in the $150 range with hand-tooled leather sheath.

Thanks for the compliments.

If you screw one up let me know...

I'll start squirreling money away...