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Post by topsoil on Mar 10, 2023 0:23:53 GMT
This one might make some of you cringe, for which I apologise. So I left my bastard sword and dagger in a crumbling wooden shed for 5 years... The dagger's pommel and hilt are about 85% covered in thick rust and the blade is scratched with some major rust spots. The metal tip of its scabbard is so rusted that the tip has a hole in it. The sword pommel and hilt are 95% covered in rust but I can't assess the blade because it's stuck in the scabbard. I presume it is rusted to the rust on the inside of the steel scabbard tip - the outer surface of which is 100% rusted. I poured wd40 inside and banged and rattled it cautiously to no avail. I'm wondering should I break the scabbard entirely, as if it's rusty inside then it's really no good. The dagger's blade was scraped by taking it out and putting it back in to it's scabbard. If anyone can offer any advice on how to proceed I would appreciate it. I also need to find out how to even remove the rust but I presume that information will be readily available by reading other threads and blogs. This is the model, in case you need specs - I recall reading this review before buying it in about 2009. www.sword-buyers-guide.com/irish-swords.htmlUpdate: I tried dripping vinegar into the sheath and a few days later I suddenly thought to try levering the sheath down, which worked. Not sure if it would have worked without the oil but I wish I'd tried before. Anyway I'm uploading new pics of the blade. I think the vinegar greyed the lower half but the rust seems like I'll be able to sand it off and polish it up. I'm going to read all the threads on that topic.
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Post by Sir Thorfinn on Mar 10, 2023 15:46:26 GMT
If I suddenly had this, my first attempt to de-rust is to soak it in evaporust. That may loosen the internal parts, and definitely removes rust at the same time. Do a search on the forum for evaporust, you may be surprised by the results. Welcome to the Forums!
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Post by topsoil on Mar 10, 2023 21:30:56 GMT
If I suddenly had this, my first attempt to de-rust is to soak it in evaporust. That may loosen the internal parts, and definitely removes rust at the same time. Do a search on the forum for evaporust, you may be surprised by the results. Welcome to the Forums! Thank you doubly for the advice and the welcome! I will look this up immediately and try to get my hands on some. I'll update with any progress. Thanks again!
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Post by larason2 on Mar 11, 2023 1:12:47 GMT
I agree evaporust may be a good option. WD40 sometimes doesn't have enough lubricant. Another trick is to drip mineral oil in and keep shaking it in the scabbard. If all else fails cut the scabbard off.
To restore the swords, I recommend using something like 200 grit sandpaper lubricated with mineral oil. Be careful because they can be sharp still! Carefully work the rust off, then keep wiping with a paper towel with some mineral oil on it. This cleans the rust off, but then also deeply oils the blade, which prevents future rust. Once you get all the rust off, you can polish it further with finer papers. I did this for a sword that was rustier than yours, and it turned out great.
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Ouroboros
Member
Imperial, Mysterious In Amorous Array
Posts: 570
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Post by Ouroboros on Mar 11, 2023 3:53:40 GMT
I have spent time removing rust from the irish sword by Gen2 and id recommend 3in1 oil, mineral oil, green scrubbies, scotchbrite pads (brown for sure) and elbow grease. Finer and finer grits of sandpaper are your friend. The dagger lools quite salvagable.
If evaporust proves costly. White vinegar in an abs tube. It will eat away the rust over time. Eat. Away. Gone. The steel will appear dull and grey. You will need to polish with finer and finer grits. Expect heavy pitting. Maybe even some missing edge metal.
I dont know if you will save that scabbard because, frankly, you might not want to put the sword back in it once u clean up the sword
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Post by Lord Newport on Mar 11, 2023 17:48:34 GMT
Hey, now its looking like an original..sell it on EBay for the big bucks!
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Post by topsoil on Mar 12, 2023 4:06:43 GMT
I agree evaporust may be a good option. WD40 sometimes doesn't have enough lubricant. Another trick is to drip mineral oil in and keep shaking it in the scabbard. If all else fails cut the scabbard off. To restore the swords, I recommend using something like 200 grit sandpaper lubricated with mineral oil. Be careful because they can be sharp still! Carefully work the rust off, then keep wiping with a paper towel with some mineral oil on it. This cleans the rust off, but then also deeply oils the blade, which prevents future rust. Once you get all the rust off, you can polish it further with finer papers. I did this for a sword that was rustier than yours, and it turned out great. That's great information thanks!
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Post by topsoil on Mar 12, 2023 4:08:03 GMT
I have spent time removing rust from the irish sword by Gen2 and id recommend 3in1 oil, mineral oil, green scrubbies, scotchbrite pads (brown for sure) and elbow grease. Finer and finer grits of sandpaper are your friend. The dagger lools quite salvagable. If evaporust proves costly. White vinegar in an abs tube. It will eat away the rust over time. Eat. Away. Gone. The steel will appear dull and grey. You will need to polish with finer and finer grits. Expect heavy pitting. Maybe even some missing edge metal. I dont know if you will save that scabbard because, frankly, you might not want to put the sword back in it once u clean up the sword Thanks a million. And good point about the scabbard.
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Post by topsoil on Mar 12, 2023 4:08:37 GMT
Hey, now its looking like an original..sell it on EBay for the big bucks! Ha now there's an idea...
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Post by blackprince on Mar 12, 2023 18:00:35 GMT
I’d try tapping it gently with a hammer down the full length of the scabbard. In theory, vibration should release the rust and free the scabbard from the blade. It is definitely worth trying before you take a chisel and hammer to the scabbard.
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Post by topsoil on Mar 12, 2023 18:47:58 GMT
I’d try tapping it gently with a hammer down the full length of the scabbard. In theory, vibration should release the rust and free the scabbard from the blade. It is definitely worth trying before you take a chisel and hammer to the scabbard. Oh good idea! And I can do that right now.
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pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
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Post by pgandy on Mar 12, 2023 20:05:47 GMT
Hey, now its looking like an original..sell it on EBay for the big bucks! :D 😂😂
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Post by topsoil on Mar 17, 2023 0:09:25 GMT
Update: I tried dripping vinegar into the sheath and a few days later I suddenly thought to try levering the sheath down, which worked. Not sure if it would have worked without the oil but I wish I'd tried before.
Anyway I'm uploading new pics of the blade. I think the vinegar greyed the lower half but the rust seems like I'll be able to sand it off and polish it up. I'm going to read all the threads on that topic.
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Post by mrstabby on May 4, 2023 10:28:16 GMT
I use citric acid for rust. Citric acid is less agressive than vinegar but can reduce some oxides back into metal. Try to get the grey part off, if its a different colour than the blade it could be porous, which could promote future rust. BTW citric acid might be less potent than vinegar, but you can make solutions with much higher acid concentration than vinegar.
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