Rust Removal with Tomato Paste

A. G. Maisey · 17th April 2008, 07:37 AM

That's good lateral thinking, TC.

Tomatoes = acid, tomato paste = acid paste. Good!!

I have removed a great many rusted on, glued on---with both western glues and native glues---handles, and I have never yet come across one that would not move with the application of heat.

Heat the area of the blade for a few inches below the handle, a candle or a small kerosene lamp is safe, but if you can control the heat, a propane torch is quicker and cleaner. Hold the blade with your bare hand a few inches below where you are heating. When it gets too hot for your hand, back off the heat until it cools a bit. Firmly moving the handle back and forth, up and down, will eventually loosen even the most resistant handle. If you cannot free it up with just one try, put it away, let it cool completely, and try again tomorrow. It will eventually loosen up enough to come free.

17th April 2008, 07:37 AM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,991	That's good lateral thinking, TC. Tomatoes = acid, tomato paste = acid paste. Good!! I have removed a great many rusted on, glued on---with both western glues and native glues---handles, and I have never yet come across one that would not move with the application of heat. Heat the area of the blade for a few inches below the handle, a candle or a small kerosene lamp is safe, but if you can control the heat, a propane torch is quicker and cleaner. Hold the blade with your bare hand a few inches below where you are heating. When it gets too hot for your hand, back off the heat until it cools a bit. Firmly moving the handle back and forth, up and down, will eventually loosen even the most resistant handle. If you cannot free it up with just one try, put it away, let it cool completely, and try again tomorrow. It will eventually loosen up enough to come free.