Originally Posted By 71Camaro:
I recently purchased this knife. From my basic research, and I could be wrong is that it's a WW 2 trench/ fighting knife. Manufactured by Case. I'd like to clean it up a little bit and from what i've read, it said to use fine brass wool and mineral oil on the steel. And then to use Bick 4 on the leather handle. I'd like to know if this is correct/advisable?

Originally Posted By Reubjames:


Send pics if you can

Originally Posted By 71Camaro:

I tried. Not really great with adding here.https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/386878/6571_jpg-3830648.JPG

Originally Posted By Reubjames:
What's your end goal? Bright and shiny blade and newish looking handle or just cleaned up and serviceable?

I've used bronze wool to clean rust off blued pistols and it works very well to just get the rust off without too much damage to the bluing. Scrub with some oil like 3-in-1 or similar, WD40 would work too. Bronze wool will get the rust off but most likely leave some the dark patina on the blade. I also like using scotchbrite. On the carbon steel blades I make, sometimes I will clean them up with the grey (fine) scotchbrite. It's minimally agressive.

Steel wool will start to shine up the blade if that's what you want. If so, start with 0000. If that's not aggressive enough grab some 00 or courser if needed. If you want it even shinier grab some abrasive paper and work from 220 up through 1000-1200 or even higher up to a full polish if that's your goal.

If it was mine, I'd just get the surface rust off and try to leave the patina. Then try to get the leather to take up a little moisture (saddle soap to clean it then some kind of conditioner maybe). I'm not a huge leatherworker so someone may come along with better info than me on that part of your project.

Originally Posted By 71Camaro:

My goal is to just clean the rusty surface off but leave the patina. Also want to clean the leather up.

Originally Posted By Reubjames:
What's your end goal? Bright and shiny blade and newish looking handle or just cleaned up and serviceable?

I've used bronze wool to clean rust off blued pistols and it works very well to just get the rust off without too much damage to the bluing. Scrub with some oil like 3-in-1 or similar, WD40 would work too. Bronze wool will get the rust off but most likely leave some the dark patina on the blade. I also like using scotchbrite. On the carbon steel blades I make, sometimes I will clean them up with the grey (fine) scotchbrite. It's minimally agressive.

Steel wool will start to shine up the blade if that's what you want. If so, start with 0000. If that's not aggressive enough grab some 00 or courser if needed. If you want it even shinier grab some abrasive paper and work from 220 up through 1000-1200 or even higher up to a full polish if that's your goal.

If it was mine, I'd just get the surface rust off and try to leave the patina. Then try to get the leather to take up a little moisture (saddle soap to clean it then some kind of conditioner maybe). I'm not a huge leatherworker so someone may come along with better info than me on that part of your project.