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How to Remove Rust from Blades

Collecting knives, swords and other bladed weaponry has been a popular pastime for many people throughout history. The craftsmanship and durability of blades is both functional and artistic. Whether you collect blades for use or admiration, you will want to remove the rust from your collectibles to ensure the piece has a long life. Removing rust from a blade only takes a few minutes, but it can add years to the life of your piece.

Things You'll Need

Bag of play sand
Razor knife
Clean 5 gallon bucket
1 quart of motor oil
Water
Clean, dry cloths

Instructions

- 1
  Sit the bag of play sand on its end. Cut a slit across the top end of the bag with your razor knife. Pour the sand into your bucket. Fill the bucket 3/4 full with sand.
- 2
  Pour 1/2 quart of oil onto the sand in the bucket. Stab your blade into the oily sand repeatedly to remove rust from the metal. Stab the blade straight into the sand and do not move it from side to side to minimize scratching the metal.
- 3
  Rinse the blade with clean water. Dry the blade by rubbing from hilt to tip with a soft, clean cloth. Wipe away all water from the metal.
- 4
  Pour oil onto a clean, dry cloth. Wipe the oily cloth onto the blade to coat and protect the metal with an oil film.
- 5
  Wrap the blade with the oily cloth and wrap both with a dry cloth for long-term storage. Wipe the blade with a clean, dry cloth before use.

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