Thread: WM . Olmsted

This is progressing ahead although there is more pitting than I would like to see. I think it would need a regrind to get any more out which is well beyond my skill level.
I still haven't decided if I am going to keep the original wood scale only because thy my very well be original to the Blade But I went ahead and made a set out of blonde buffalo horn and will decide when the time comes. So far I an leaning towards the Horn.

Some pitting is kind of par for the course with old blades like that. The trick, and it is a real trick, is to know when to quit. At least for me it is. Some people like "patina" but not me. You say patina I say rusty old crappy looking funk. Anyway the skinny is that leaving some pitting is not unacceptable (even though I personally hate it).

If it were me I would sand up those wood scales and put them back on, especially in light of the amount of pitting that will be next to impossible to get rid of. I think the new scales will make the pitting show more. That's the meter I always use at least.

You’ve cleaned that old blade up quite well.

There is a lot of metal left in the blade and an experienced craftsman could regrind a very nice new-looking blade for you. However, that blade has earned whatever pock marks she has over a long life. She’s not a new blade and I don’t think it is necessary or does honour to her heritage to make her look like one.

I’m with those who say clean the blade as much as you are able, but leave her with the blemishes she’s earned and keep her as original as you can.

I would consider going with a satin finish instead of mirror. It has the effect of diminishing blemishes. It's sort of like painting a car white that has a lot of body work.

Originally Posted by PaulFLUS

I would consider going with a satin finish instead of mirror. It has the effect of diminishing blemishes. It's sort of like painting a car white that has a lot of body work.

I may very well go that route.

I've also put some liquid gun blue on a blade like that and then polished it to a light gray. It does a lot to hide the blemishes and gives it some of the patina back.

Or soak it overnight in a glass.of coca cola. It gives it a gray hue all over though. That's the route for blades with a LOT of pitting.

Originally Posted by PaulFLUS

Or soak it overnight in a glass.of coca cola. It gives it a gray hue all over though. That's the route for blades with a LOT of pitting.

When I was in the Army I used to soak my breach block in coke to remove the carbon after the ranges.