Rusted Old Hickory Knives

[SAC]

Any advice on cleaning them up. I found 8 of them down at our butcher house. They are rusted pretty bad. I'd like to clean them up and sharpen them for my uncles and cousins for Christmas. Thought about a wire wheel or sand blasting, but don't want to damage them. Any advise is appreciated.

TIA

SAC

[Jason Sanders]

Get with BowVista I'm sure he could help you! He has refurbished a bunch lately.

[Antlers86]

Get with BowVista I'm sure he could help you! He has refurbished a bunch lately.

X2... He does great work. Really liked his last round of refurbies!

[Ironman]

Check you tube on rust removal by Electrolysis.

[Guerrero88]

I just finished two old butcher knives. Used a scotch brite pad and a nylon brush on the blade. Then washed in hot water. Had to repeat the process a few times. Used 180 grit sand paper on the handle. Washed again in hot water. Then sprayed the blade down with LEM silicone spray. Got the spray at a academy. They came out awesome.

[Jason Fry]

I was thinking scotch brite also. If you use sandpaper on the blade, go fine, like 400 plus.

[Guerrero88]

I tried sharpening them with my work sharp. Couldn't get a good edge on them. So I took them to a knife sharpener in town. Wow did he make them sharp. Good brisket and rib knives.

[Ironman]

I tried sharpening them with my work sharp. Couldn't get a good edge on them. So I took them to a knife sharpener in town. Wow did he make them sharp. Good brisket and rib knives.

They are made of high carbon 1095 steel. A couple of good wet (water) stones would sharpen them up.

[Guerrero88]

Yes they are carbon. Thanks never even thought about stones. Will know nest time

[Ironman]

Yes they are carbon. Thanks never even thought about stones. Will know nest time

Make sure they are water stones. Never use oil. King and Norton (among others) make some very good water stones.

[Guerrero88]

Can I pick them up at Bass Pro or Cabelas?

[MR. L.]

soak them in vinegar for a couple of hours ... check. repeat if necessary will cleanup good

[Ironman]

Can I pick them up at Bass Pro or Cabelas?

Not that I know of.

Amazon has King and Norton. I would get a combo 1000/4000 or 1000/6000 grit. May need a courser grit if you have to really take some material off. Like maybe a 500/600 grit.

I have had some kitchen knives that I thought were beyond fixing, but I did get them back with the 1000 grit, it just took a little time.


Edit: if you want some quicker, you may try a good restaurant supply stores. Sushi chef's keep their knives super sharp, and they use water stones that I've mentioned.

[Cajun Blake]

soak them in vinegar for a couple of hours ... check. repeat if necessary will cleanup good

cider vinegar , I'd recommend 24 hrs

[SAC]

2 outta 14 aint bad. I know how to sharpen knives. I gotta get the rust taken care of first. I've heard the vinegar will neutralize the rust , but I need to get 15 years of rust off the blades.