Thread: Restore newb needs opinions

All the dark spots you see on the blade is pitting. The heavy staining you see on the spine towards the toe is heavy pitting. In my experience most can be removed but you will be left with remaining residual pits or stains. Sometimes the pitting goes so deep that even a total reground will not help unless you have plenty of steel to remove and it's a bigger blade giving you some room to loose steel. But even that doesn't give you a guarantee.

Completely hand sanding is an option but be prepared to spend countless hours sanding from the low to the high grits. A buffer like Dan suggest is the fastest way to go but unless you have the right equipment and products to do so and know exactly what you're doing.
And don't even mention the word Dremel or you will turn Glen aka The G-man turn around from his grave. All jokes aside. Safety when working with any of your blades should be your main priority especially if you have no prior experience.