Philippine monosteel Blades. Preserving and restoring

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by oldschldude

Hello Everyone,
I would like to ask what is monosteel(Philippine monosteel blades)? What's its history? Made of? Automobile coil? Leafspring? Can you age the blade if its monosteel construction? How do you get rid of rust on monosteel blade? Does the same rust removal techniques for laminated blades apply? Polishing and etching? Would you apply vinegar or other etching acids(citric acids or Fecl) to a rusty monosteel blade? Thanks! Oldschldude

Blade dark spot early rust.
Slightly surface rust.
Pitted rust spots.
Crusty rust whole blade.

In my very humble opinion is it required to clean a rusted blade, equal which material is used or you think is hidden and equal from where the blade coming. There are exceptions for example when a blade shows a nice patination, see for example here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=tabak
Not every blade need to be polished and etched but it should be cleaned from active rust. By cleaning you will learn also about the blade material and forging. See for example here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=apalit
The bolo I've shown overthere I get with a complete rusted blade which is cleaned now but not etched. One day I will etch it maybe but until now I am not sure which steel is used nor I am able to tell if the blade is laminated.

Hope it will help a little bit.

Regards,
Detlef