Should I continue?

Everyone,

This is my first attempt at any sort of restoration. I got this King Cutter at the local antique mall for about $15, but it was pretty nasty. After I removed the rust and other stuff, I started hand sanding with some fine grit paper I had (not sure how fine, but felt very smooth). I worked on it for about an hour and a half and have gotten rid of most of the 'black stuff' but as you can see there is still some left.

Is this just pitting of the blade from the rust that was on it? Do I need to continue to remove the remainder of the black stuff? I would like to keep what little of the Kind Cutter etching that is still on the face of the blade, but also want a blade I can use without worrying about.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/dnjrboy/SNMdp99...0/DSCN3850.JPG
http://lh3.ggpht.com/dnjrboy/SNMdqx9...0/DSCN3853.JPG

Unfortunately you have to make a choice. If you want the etching the pitting would stay. If you want a shiny clean blade the etching has to go.
As long as there is no pitting on the edge it shouldn't affect the honing or shaving.
Some like a satin or mirror finish and others leave some pitting or patina for character.
Also a full hollow blade you might have to leave some pitting so you don't sand thru the blade.

Do what looks good to you and then hone it up and shave. Make sure you clean and dry it after use and keep an eye on it so you know if the pitting turns to rust
YMMV

Bob

Good first effort :tu
Always a tough decision on how much steel to remove.
As a workhorse it looks fine. If you want to save the etch I wouldn't go much further.
A light patina would tone down the 'imperfections' but is not essential.
I'd keep it oiled when not in use tho.

If you have a dremel with a felt wheel and some Mass, the black can be polished out with very little metal removal - I did that with a Germania Cutlery Works razor before I was brave enough to sand a razor - worked like a charm, kept the pitting, but now it shines! Took a long time, and a fairly low rotation speed, and took an entire package of small felt dremel wheels, but it sure did the trick.

Of course, YMMV.

Mark

I think it has a nice patina. After all-it isn't a "new" blade.I'll bet that steel will hold a great edge and give great shave.

Thanks for the replies. I like the state that it is in now. Has a feel of history and character to it. I thnk I will leave it for now.

As stated before, the dremel and felt wheel is an option. If you use the polishing compund dremel sell, you can take it to a mirror finish, keep the etching, but still have the pits...they will just shine. All pits are are little potholes in the steel.