Cleaning/repairing vintage knives?

[Cabphoto]

Hi there-

I'm pretty new here. Not sure the correct place to post this question. I have been purchasing old pocket knives and I am interested in the best practices for cleaning them up. I know there are a lot of opinions that say don't touch it at all. I believe the don't touch it method means leave rust or anything on it? Is there any excepted methods or techniques that support more of a non obtrusive of cleaning? Many old pocket knives will walk and talk again with a little bit of basic tidy up. Getting them to be functional makes them more fun in my opinion but I'm new so my opinions are of the inexperienced variety. I'm happy to hear any suggestions even if they are directing me to a better section in the forum. Thank you.

Chris

[Steve Warden]

Hi Chris.
Take a look here ---> viewforum.php?f=48

[Mumbleypeg]

Here is a link to a number of helpful posts related to cleaning knives. viewtopic.php?f=37&t=54157

You can also do a keyword search for "cleaning". There are probably hundreds of posts on the subject.

Ken

[Cabphoto]

Thank you for your replies gentlemen.

Chris

[Reverand]

A lot depends upon the knife. If it is a $500 knife in decent condition , don't clean it!
If it is a common $10 or $20 knife in any condition, then clean, repair, or modify to your heart's content!
That is my two-cents worth of advice, anyway.