Getting The Rust Off Of Bowie Knives
Owning and using a knife have been a part of human life for millennia. However, since the dawn of metal blades, several things have had ill effects on knives. While there are numerous things that can occur, such as bending, scratching, dulling and more, rust is perhaps the most insidious threat. If your Bowie knife has become rusty, then it is only a matter of time before it is rendered useless to you. How do you clean rust from your blade, though?
One obvious method is to use oil. Bowie knives with expensive blades should be oiled regularly, anyway. Not only does oil prevent rust, however, but it removes it. Clean off any excess dirt or flaked metal off of your Bowie. After this is done, apply a thick coat of oil to the blade. The next step requires patience. Let your knife sit for a minimum 72 hours. After it's sat for a while, take a toothbrush or a sharp tool and, after wiping off the oil, use that tool to remove any remaining rust spots. Remember to lightly oil the blade before putting it back in the sheath.
Any type of steel can rust. The bluish-grey spots that develop on knife blades are not rust; they're oxidization spots and they're not harmful. Rust is a reddish color and it comes off in flakes. It can be removed. The good news is that you don't have to use any harsh chemicals to get the rust off of a Bowie knife. In fact, you can do it with white vinegar, citric acid or simple blade oil. Any of these products will remove the blemishes from your blade and get it back into like-new condition.
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Potatoes are also good options for cleaning rust from a knife blade. If you can find a potato large enough for the blade of your Bowie knife, simply insert the blade into the potato (lengthwise) and leave it overnight. When you pull it out the next morning, the rust should be largely gone. Clean the potato residue from the knife and dry it completely.
Of course, some rust is simply too severe to use such options. In these cases, you will have to resort to something like a polishing compound used in conjunction with a chemical rust remover. There are several different formulations from which you can choose, but opt for one that does its job gently. Harsh chemicals can have a harmful effect on the blade of your Bowie knife.
Blake is a business consultant for an online bowie knife store featuring the jim bowie knife.