Removing Rust Stains

[foxfirerodandgun]

Is there any method that can remove rust stains as seen in the images below without doing any damage? Can a Boker knife be returned to be restored? Thanks.

[1967redrider]

I use a #2 pencil, the lead removes the rust/grime but not the etch. I would definitely give it the #2 Pencil Spa treatment.

[foxfirerodandgun]

I use a #2 pencil, the lead removes the rust/grime but not the etch. I would definitely give it the #2 Pencil Spa treatment.

Thanks. I'll give it a try.

[Jeepergeo]

I use a #2 pencil, the lead removes the rust/grime but not the etch. I would definitely give it the #2 Pencil Spa treatment.

Thanks. I'll give it a try.

Please, let us know how it works for you. Before and after pics would be great!

[Mumbleypeg]

Pencil lead will remove light surface rust as well or better than anything, in my experience. I like those “carpenter’s pencils” for cleaning knives - they have a wider lead than a regular pencil. Although pencil lead will improve things it will not remove rust pitting or “spidering” that your knife appears to have.

I know of nothing which will remove pitting without damaging the etch. Removing any pitting requires removing metal.

Ken

[dlr110]

Just to jump in with my 2 cents worth of worthless knowledge. On mine I start with an 8 minute sonic bath of water, vinegar, and peroxide. That gets a lot of dirt and grime out of the way and seems to loosen some of the surface rust. Then I use a Super Eraser (pictured below) on the blades and any other areas that has rust. I would say I'm successful about 75 % of the time but in most cases there will still be a slight hint of a stain. If it's pitted all you can hope to do is get as much of the rust as possible and like Ken said the only way to remove the pitting is to remove metal and you don't want to do that. Good Luck.

Found on Amazon

[foxfirerodandgun]

I use a #2 pencil, the lead removes the rust/grime but not the etch. I would definitely give it the #2 Pencil Spa treatment.

Thanks. I'll give it a try.

Please, let us know how it works for you. Before and after pucs would be great!

Will do.

[foxfirerodandgun]

Just to jump in with my 2 cents worth of worthless knowledge. On mine I start with an 8 minute sonic bath of water, vinegar, and peroxide. That gets a lot of dirt and grime out of the way and seems to loosen some of the surface rust. Then I use a Super Eraser (pictured below) on the blades and any other areas that has rust. I would say I'm successful about 75 % of the time but in most cases there will still be a slight hint of a stain. If it's pitted all you can hope to do is get as much of the rust as possible and like Ken said the only way to remove the pitting is to remove metal and you don't want to do that. Good Luck.

Found on Amazon
20240210_134024.jpg

Equal measures of water, vinegar & peroxide? Thanks. I'll look for one of the Super Erasers.

[foxfirerodandgun]

Thanks. I'll give it a try.

Please, let us know how it works for you. Before and after pucs would be great!

Will do.

Thanks.

[dlr110]

Just to jump in with my 2 cents worth of worthless knowledge. On mine I start with an 8 minute sonic bath of water, vinegar, and peroxide. That gets a lot of dirt and grime out of the way and seems to loosen some of the surface rust. Then I use a Super Eraser (pictured below) on the blades and any other areas that has rust. I would say I'm successful about 75 % of the time but in most cases there will still be a slight hint of a stain. If it's pitted all you can hope to do is get as much of the rust as possible and like Ken said the only way to remove the pitting is to remove metal and you don't want to do that. Good Luck.

Found on Amazon
20240210_134024.jpg

Equal measures of water, vinegar & peroxide? Thanks. I'll look for one of the Super Erasers.

I'm sorry it's actually enough water to cover the knife and then I just eyeball probably 2 tablespoons of vinegar and then same for peroxide. Then turn on the sonic cleaner for 8 minutes.

[foxfirerodandgun]

Just to jump in with my 2 cents worth of worthless knowledge. On mine I start with an 8 minute sonic bath of water, vinegar, and peroxide. That gets a lot of dirt and grime out of the way and seems to loosen some of the surface rust. Then I use a Super Eraser (pictured below) on the blades and any other areas that has rust. I would say I'm successful about 75 % of the time but in most cases there will still be a slight hint of a stain. If it's pitted all you can hope to do is get as much of the rust as possible and like Ken said the only way to remove the pitting is to remove metal and you don't want to do that. Good Luck.

Found on Amazon
20240210_134024.jpg

Equal measures of water, vinegar & peroxide? Thanks. I'll look for one of the Super Erasers.

I'm sorry it's actually enough water to cover the knife and then I just eyeball probably 2 tablespoons of vinegar and then same for peroxide. Then turn on the sonic cleaner for 8 minutes.

Thanks.

[ea42]

Guys, just so you know, mixing hydrogen peroxide and vinegar produces peracetic acid which is quite toxic skin, eyes, and throat/lungs and also very corrosive. Not sure if that's an ideal solution to inhale or put on carbon steel or anything else for that matter. One or the other by themselves is probably better although vinegar will darken or stain carbon steel.

Eric

[eveled]

I also would use a carpenters pencil. Whatever you do, be aware the rust particles are very abrasive. Be careful not to rub them in. You want to knock it off and let it fall away. Blow it off with compressed air. Then oil and a rag.

The pitting will still be there, but the etch will be preserved. The knife will still be “honest”

[foxfirerodandgun]

Guys, just so you know, mixing hydrogen peroxide and vinegar produces peracetic acid which is quite toxic skin, eyes, and throat/lungs and also very corrosive. Not sure if that's an ideal solution to inhale or put on carbon steel or anything else for that matter. One or the other by themselves is probably better although vinegar will darken or stain carbon steel.

Eric

Thanks.

[foxfirerodandgun]

I also would use a carpenters pencil. Whatever you do, be aware the rust particles are very abrasive. Be careful not to rub them in. You want to knock it off and let it fall away. Blow it off with compressed air. Then oil and a rag.

The pitting will still be there, but the etch will be preserved. The knife will still be “honest”

Will be careful. Thanks.

[RedRaiderRick]

Very interested in this thread. Will a sonic cleaner damage stag or bone? I have a large lockback with rust in the locking mechanism.

[CarMan]

Very interested in this thread. Will a sonic cleaner damage stag or bone? I have a large lockback with rust in the locking mechanism.

I’ve wondered this as well.

[Mumbleypeg]

Why wonder about it. Just search for it viewtopic.php?t=53816

viewtopic.php?p=686103&hilit=Sonic#p686103

And there’s more, if you look.

Ken

[edge213]

I put bone and stag in my ultra sonic cleaner all the time.
No problems, but sometimes you have to rehydrate the handle material.

[CarMan]

Why wonder about it. Just search for it viewtopic.php?t=53816

viewtopic.php?p=686103&hilit=Sonic#p686103

And there’s more, if you look.

Ken

Thank you Ken

[CarMan]

I put bone and stag in my ultra sonic cleaner all the time.
No problems, but sometimes you have to rehydrate the handle material.

How do you go about rehydrating? Maybe mineral oil on bone?

[edge213]

I put bone and stag in my ultra sonic cleaner all the time.
No problems, but sometimes you have to rehydrate the handle material.

How do you go about rehydrating? Maybe mineral oil on bone?

Yes, I use mineral oil on bone and stag to rehydrate.
I wouldn't use it on the same knife over and over for maintenance though, some say it will cause it to get soft.
I just use it the one time after ultra sonic cleaning. Then polish with Ren Wax.

[CarMan]

I put bone and stag in my ultra sonic cleaner all the time.
No problems, but sometimes you have to rehydrate the handle material.

How do you go about rehydrating? Maybe mineral oil on bone?

Yes, I use mineral oil on bone and stag to rehydrate.
I wouldn't use it on the same knife over and over for maintenance though, some say it will cause it to get soft.
I just use it the one time after ultra sonic cleaning. Then polish with Ren Wax.

Great to know, thank you sir. I didn’t know ren wax was okay on bone.

[edge213]

How do you go about rehydrating? Maybe mineral oil on bone?

Yes, I use mineral oil on bone and stag to rehydrate.
I wouldn't use it on the same knife over and over for maintenance though, some say it will cause it to get soft.
I just use it the one time after ultra sonic cleaning. Then polish with Ren Wax.

Great to know, thank you sir. I didn’t know ren wax was okay on bone.

I've used Ren Wax on just about everything bone, stag, wood, celluloid, brass, nickel silver, steel, leather etc.
I've even used it on paper, just be careful.