View Single Post
Old 30th November 2006, 03:23 AM   #4
A. G. Maisey
Member
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 6,982
Default

G'day John,

I'd be inclined to give that handle a good workout with a worn, soft old toothbrush, and a few drops of baby oil, then hand rub it until all the oil disappears. I'd repeat this a few times at intervals of a couple of days.Take it off the keris first and remove the selut.

With the blade, WD40 soak, allow to drain dry, brisk rub with a stiff nail brush. Any deeper rust, use a needle and a jewellers loupe so you can see what you are doing, and carefully pick the rust out of the individual pores of the metal. I once did a Bali blade like this----about an hour most nights for the best part of a year.Keep coming back to the blade every couple of weeks, and just keep working on it with the oil and brush until all the active rust is gone. In between times, it doesn't do any harm toi keep it wet with oil, wrapped in a plastic film---lunch wrap or plastic sleeve, or even a plastic bag.You might be able to make the blade look pretty presentable without going to a full stain.
A. G. Maisey is offline   Reply With Quote