rusty knife

[rickyt]

Just found my uncle's old Commando knife this morning on the garage floor. It's in a bit of a state as you can see. I'm sure the subject has been brought up before but how do I get rid of the rust?.
Bearing in mind I'm in the UK , so make not have access to the chemicals or products you can get in the States. Things like bicarbonate of soda etc I have but unsure if it's any good for eating rust.

 

[BKLooney]

This is usually the best method I use.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09ck7R9zvUw"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09ck7R9zvUw[/ame]

 

[Bald1]

Great video. Silly question. If you touch water during process can you get a shock ? Seems like water would conduct.

 

[Vtgw938]

My go to. Will eventually remove all rust and can be dumped down the drain. Not sure what your handle is made of.

 

[kwill1911]

The handle is bronze and should be fine. That's a great find!

 

[wood714]

Just found my uncle's old Commando knife this morning on the garage floor. It's in a bit of a state as you can see. I'm sure the subject has been brought up before but how do I get rid of the rust?.
Bearing in mind I'm in the UK , so make not have access to the chemicals or products you can get in the States. Things like bicarbonate of soda etc I have but unsure if it's any good for eating rust.

Now that is something I'd be most happy to find!

 

[rickyt]

My late uncle Alf was in the Army for his National Service, I think he was based in Egypt. Anyway, he was a despatch rider. He must have picked this up somewhere as he wasn't in the Commando's. I have a great photo of him and the team on their bikes, further along the line was the great rider Geoff Duke......must have being doing his National service at the same time.
The Electrolysis method looks to do the business, not sure I want to try it in the house as I have no where else to work.

 

[BKLooney]

Great video. Silly question. If you touch water during process can you get a shock ? Seems like water would conduct.

Not sure...never actually tried it!

 

[mikerjf]

Just for those that haven't heard of it, you can take ordinary grocery-store molasses and mix it with water... 1 part molasses to 9 parts water. Yes, mostly water!

Soak your rusty part for like a month or more, the rust converts to black iron. Very gentle.

 

[serger]

Depending on the age of the knife the handle
might be Zamak or aluminum instead of bronze.

The OP should soak the handle in ATF just over
the tang nut and after about a week turn the nut
off. Then he can de-rust the blade.

 

[Kinman]

Depending on the age of the knife the handle
might be Zamak or aluminum instead of bronze.

The OP should soak the handle in ATF just over
the tang nut and after about a week turn the nut
off. Then he can de-rust the blade.

I agree with this method and am happy for you that you were entrusted with this heirloom. Few things bug me more than to come across a very nice knife, tool or firearm that some well meaning soul has taken steel wool or god forbid sandpaper and basically ruined the artifact. As a kid I remember wanting to remove surface rust off of my first .22 rifle given to me by my uncle, of course I used steel wool and had it shining like a dime in a goats posterior...it did eventually turn the most beautiful deep plum brown you could imagine, 20+ years later.

 

[Rudi]

Looking forward to seeing it spruced up a bit!

 

[rickyt]

Well Chaps, have tried a few things......bicarbonate of soda mixed with vinegar & oven cleaner. Nothing has budged the rust. I have some rust eater products primary used on cars for getting rid of rust, a bought type of eater and a bottle of acid. These products you use, just paint it on the rusty metal ,wait 10 or 15 mins while it turns black and wash off. Tried to get the handle off as I thought it was aluminium but it's solid. Will have to be very gentle with this.

 

[Hawg Rider]

rickyt: You have a nice family heirloom and a great piece of WWII history! Those Sykes Fairbairn fighting knives are relatively rare and valuable. They sell for $200+ here in the USA. I assume that you do not have the sheath?

I restore vintage knives, tools, meat cleavers, etc., and many are as rusty as your knife or worse. I often use commercial rust remover products that are found in our local big box hardware stores. Also, a mixture of cornstarch and vinegar is often effective. For firearms, some folks use a 50:50 mix of acetone and automatic transmission fluid. The electrolysis method is a proven rust remover, but I've been reluctant to actually use it.

WD-40 Rust Remover Soak
Rust-oleum Rust Dissolver

Your knife isn't that badly rusted or pitted, so if you have a bench grinder you could fit it with a soft buffing wheel and polish off some of that rust and buff the bronze handle...but it will remove any patina that may remain. Good luck, mate!

 

[rickyt]

rickyt: You have a nice family heirloom and a great piece of WWII history! Those Sykes Fairbairn fighting knives are relatively rare and valuable. They sell for $200+ here in the USA. I assume that you do not have the sheath?

I restore vintage knives, tools, meat cleavers, etc., and many are as rusty as your knife or worse. I often use commercial rust remover products that are found in our local big box hardware stores. Also, a mixture of cornstarch and vinegar is often effective. For firearms, some folks use a 50:50 mix of acetone and automatic transmission fluid. The electrolysis method is a proven rust remover, but I've been reluctant to actually use it.

WD-40 Rust Remover Soak
Rust-oleum Rust Dissolver

Your knife isn't that badly rusted or pitted, so if you have a bench grinder you could fit it with a soft buffing wheel and polish off some of that rust and buff the bronze handle...but it will remove any patina that may remain. Good luck, mate!

Many thanks for that , will try some of your methods. I do like the idea of this electrolysis method, would love to give that a go, have many rusty tools etc.
Sadly, no sheath. I could have a replica made though. I know someone up the coast who makes bags , belts etc out of leather, she recently altered a holster for me. May ask her.
Cheers.

 

[gunbarrel]

RickyT,

I collected Fairbairn Sykes British Commmando knives for many years; however, I sold my collection a few years back.. Your uncle's knife is the Third Pattern. British expatriate Roy Shadbolt is a friend of mine; he lives out West in the US, and he is *the* authority on FS knives. He is a good ol' chap who will answer any questions you may have about your knife--maybe suggest how to clean it up. Here is his website, and an article on your particular model. Tell him that Rey, from Florida, referred you to him. Cheers!

The Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knife


The Third Pattern F-S — The Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knife

 

[rickyt]

Many thanks for that gunbarrel, I had no idea of it's type. I did find out there seems to be a few different types of these knives....2nd pattern, 3rd pattern,B2, 'Fatboy' etc.


ps. just been to the site from your links, fascinating. That chap really knows his stuff. So, this knife of mine is from the 2nd World War era. Never thought that. Thought it was from the 50's. Will be back to that site for more information , many thanks.