Many people would start cleaning with some 0000 steel wool and WD40. This will loosen the active rust and not score the steel. After that, some metal polish such as flitz or Maas on a cloth can do wonders. Not sure where you are located but if you post that up I suspect someone here will be willing to help, as well as hone the blade up. I know if you were in NJ, myself as well as several others would offer.