Camco Cleanup.

[Byrd]

When I got this the main blade was chipped and it was covered in surface rust so I decided to do a major cleaning to it. I used progressively finer grits of paper on the blades, finishing with Mother's. Since the well off the knife is steel too I tried something different, used emory boards to clean it up! Since rust was between the tang and spring it was still gritty so I got out the Brownells Bore Cleaner paste and worked it in with a toothpick and worked the blades back and forth 100 times then flushed it out with oil and pipe cleaners. Smooth as butter and good snap! Then I used my small belt sander to smooth out the finish between the springs and handles. I've never spent this much time just cleaning but it was worth the effort. It's in my pocket now!

[treefarmer]

Looks like a new one!
Treefarmer

[Meridian_Mike]

Since rust was between the tang and spring it was still gritty so I got out the Brownells Bore Cleaner paste and worked it in with a toothpick and worked the blades back and forth 100 times then flushed it out with oil and pipe cleaners.

GREAT job on the clean-up!!

Does that Bore Cleaner have a real fine grit in it?
I have used GoJo before since it has a fine grit in it.

I wonder if there would be a difference in using a Bore Cleaner since it might have an oil or some sort of protectant?
(I'm not familiar with the bore cleaner stuff)

Just wondering....

[Byrd]

Mike, it's a grease/paste that's used with a tight patch to remove copper fouling from rifle bores. It polishes the bore so I'm sure it has a fine grit in it. Using it in this knife I can see that it polished the bottom of the tang that contacts the spring. It's good stuff, a small can of it will last for years. It made a huge difference in the feel of this knife.

[Meridian_Mike]

COOL!!
I need to get me some of that goodie and give it a try!

[Jeffinn]

It turned out great!

[jerryd6818]

You're a much more patient man than I, Gunga Din. Great job!!

[herbva]

Wow, very nice cleanup! Thanks for the tip. I'm going to look Brownell's Bore Cleaner.

[Byrd]

Thanks for the positive feedback, it's appreciated! It was fun turning a beater into a good user. I've concluded that Camco knives are underrated. If you want the bore paste Brownells in Montezuma Iowa is the distributor. A great company to do business with. I've from them for 40 year.

[Reverand]

Camco knives may be the "cheap" knives that Camillus made, but they still made them well, using good steel. That was a great save! Plus, it just feels good to resuscitate an old knife!

[Doc B]

I've always thought the Camco knives were a good value. With the long pull, it looks nice. Like your idea about the emery board and will have to try out some of the paste. Nice job on the cleanup!!!