One thing that I forgot to mention was how important it was to Campbell that the etching wasn’t lost or diminished!! He fully understood that all gold wash would disappear.
I practice what I preach so just used some 2000 grit wet and dry to see what came off, once I could see a little better I tried some 1000 grit and then 800 and finally 400. At this point in time (thanks Glen hehehe) I was pleased and didn't want to lose the etching so I stopped.I know this process sounds backwards, but when I’m wanting to make sure an etching isn’t lost this is how I do it.I felt it was time to start back up the sanding grits and stopped at the 2K and I finished with some Mothers Mag Wheel polish and was pleased with how it had cleaned up.
I’d told Campbell that I wasn’t a restorer and all I was offering to do was to clean it up a bit and then make it shave ready.
On thing to note is the crack at the pivot. The crack was there when it arrived. This was a Big Concern as I didn’t want it to be me that broke those old bone scales.
My solution was to securely wrap the blade to the scales with plastic electrical tape. The only time this wasn’t done was when I needed to work right around the shank or pivot area and the tail.
It made honing a little interesting but it does shave nice! I set the bevel on a King 1K, then went to the Norton 4/8K and finished on a Naniwa 12K. Initial stropping was 50 laps on the Illinois 827 linen followed by 50 laps on Neil Miller Genuine linen then 100 laps on the Illinois leather and 200 laps on SRD Premium #1 leather. Test shaved, re-stropped on the SRD leather, sanitized, packed and shipped back to the Great White North.
All I was out was some sandpaper, wear in my hones and my time. All Campbell was out was shipping here and back.
It really was my privilege. I'm glad I could help! There's somethings that money can't buy!
Anyway I just thought that I’d add this little bit of info.