What Kind of Metal Cleaner Will Clean Vintage Pocket Knives?

Using oil

• A surprising amount of oxidation or rust will loosen, after coating a blade with a honing oil or WD-40, letting it sit for two days, then wiping vigorously with cotton or chamois.

Using polishes

• Any quality metal polishing compound will suffice. Collectors on the AllAboutPocketKnives.com forum variously recommend products such as NEVR-DULL, Flitz, Brasso or Gold Seal Glass Wax.

Abrasion

• Some cream-based polishes, including Brasso and Glass Wax, dry to a haze; the chemical reaction of the polisher does half the job, while the dry compound provides mild abrasion. Renaissance Prelim is a wax-based compound with a silica chalk for mild abrasion. NEVR-DULL uses cleaner-impregnated cotton for a mild abrasive.

Jeweler's Rouge

• This hard, chalk-like substance is used by fine jewelers for all types of metal. It contains silica chalks and ferric oxide (literally, rust) to achieve a high polish.

Preservatives

• A preservative such as wax-based Renaissance Wax will maintain the appearance of a blade, and if you coat the blade afresh and wipe it well on occasion, will improve its appearance over time. Steer clear of carnauba or beeswax, which produce acids.

Value

• Vintage blades need not shine like new to be valuable, any more than do old coins. Keep the blade free of orange rust or green verdigris, and its mechanisms in good working condition (with a drop of WD-40), and you will preserve its value.