Should I clean it more or leave it alone Walden hammer Brand

[0078]

I bought this knife, and had no ideal who the manufacturer was. I've had it soaking for a few days in WD 40 I don't want to use no power tolls on it. The etch still looks fairly good. Any suggestions on leaving it this way or trying to clean it a little more?

[FRJ]

What a beauty of a knife.
Personally, I would clean the WD40 off of it, oil it, sharpen it, and proudly carry it.
I would do no further cleaning.

[danno50]

Very nice old knife. It was manufactured by the New York Knife Co. prior to 1931. What is the crud on the pile side handle? As FRJ indicated, I also would not do much cleaning, just the active rust (can't really see any on the photos) and the crud off the scales. Wouldn't want to do anything to possibly ruin the original etch.
Dan

[0078]

I think I have about 1 and half cans of wd40 into it and a 1/2 box of toothpicks as far as the crud on the pile side I soaked it in some mild dish soap and it washed off fairly easy. The first two pics are the ones from ebay. I was happy to see it was a walden and the blade etch is still ledeable.

[treefarmer]

What about the double nail nick on the main blade? I can't remember ever seeing one before. Interesting to say the least . What material are the scales?
Treefarmer

[knife7knut]

I think if it were mine I might try using the old #2 lead pencil trick.Try the tang area first to see how it works.It shouldn't harm the etching.

[0078]

Tree farmer it's the first time I've ever seen the double nail nick myself? Handles are mop.

[philco]

I think if it were mine I might try using the old #2 lead pencil trick.Try the tang area first to see how it works.It shouldn't harm the etching.

I'll give ya an AMEN on that one Brother Ray!

[reddirtknives]

Nice score greg!!! It is greg right? Wow! Beauty! Yep #2 trick... I couldn't trust myself to carry that one… Well, Maybe for a few days showin it off...

[knife7knut]

I just looked at a closeup of the blade and it appears that the remaining corrosion is pitting rather than surface stuff so a lead pencil won't do much of anything.Still a beautiful old and rare knife that anyone would be proud to own.

[glennbad]

I don't think there is much more you can do to that knife without damaging the finish further. I would do the pencil lead trick also. Whatever is left, I would put a coat of ren wax or something similar on it, and throw it in your pocket. Go cut the heck out of something.

Warts and all, its an outstanding knife!

[btrwtr]

Awesome little knife. Double pulls like that are few and far between. Usually indicates a knife from the 20's or earlier. Sweet!

Wayne