All About Pocket Knives

I just recently purchased a Remington R697 pruning knife an it still has a beautiful full Remington etch but the blades are dark an have some scratches I would like to get out. I know some will say leave it as is but if I was to clean it what’s the best way to make sure the etch stays. Also it doesn’t sit all the way down into the knife when closed. Is there anything I can do to fix that?

Also if anyone knows did the knife come with the “D” ring on the end or no?

No, there is no way to save the etch and get that blade shiny, none, zilch. The ring and holes for the ring are not original so the knife will not bring much even if shiny although many collectors prefer a patinated and scratched blade with a good etch than a cleaned knife. Obviously the blade is fairly worn so the tip is up, you can fie the "kick" down a little to drop the blade into the well. The kick is the pointy bottom of the tang area.

Gosh I wouldn't do a darn thing to that blade, just wipe it down with some oil and be happy you have a beautiful old classic with the original etch and finish. There are FAR fewer R697's with the original etch than there are with shiny, over buffed blades. If you're removing etches and removing scratches you're no longer "cleaning" a blade, you're altering it.

One thing you might try which has worked for me at times, and which is as far as I'm willing to go on a blade, is 2500 grit metal polishing sandpaper. This usually takes only surface discoloration out while saving the etch. It loads up quickly so you need to wipe the blade down often, maybe even use some water as a lubricant. Try it on an inconspicuous area first. It won't remove the scratches (they're an integral part of that knife's history now), but it will take some of that patina down. Just go light so the etch isn't obliterated. Don't go all crazy trying to get every last bit of discoloration out either, you won't. You're just trying to lighten it a bit. You won't get rust pits out either, they're just to deep. If you see the etch start to fade stop immediately, even if you've just started. Also, stay away from the "edge" of the swedge so you don't round it off.

Personally for me on that blade I'd just take the kick down and be happy with it.

Eric

Another, similar approach that I use is 0000 steel wool and WD40. Start out very lightly and you can see if it is affecting the etch. The WD 40 will dissolve any dirt, rust, gunk or foreign material on the blade and the 0000 steel wool helps with the process. These hawkbill pruners are designed with a very large kick, so that as the blade wears down, you can adjust the position that the blade sits in the blade well. Just carefully and slowly file off a tiny little bit from the end of the kick, check, and repeat, until it sits where you want it in the well. A little bit goes a long way.

A little ballistol and some paper towels is as far as I would go. A shiny blade on that knife just ain’t right. If patina on old used knives isn’t your thing, I’d stick to stainless. Just my 2¢, YMMV.

I agree with the advice already given. Having a good etch is a LOT better than having a clean blade.
I love a well-preserved knife, but anything you do to make that blade shiny now, after years of use, is only going to damage the knife. Wipe it down with oil, file the kick slightly, and revel in the beauty of that etch!
(Not that I am telling you what to do with your knife. This is just a suggestion!)

I might slightly alter the kick, like Herb said, and just leave it at that. Great old survivor!

I agree with the steel wool 0000 and WD 40 along with filing down the kick just a bit. You will not get
the blade surface completely shiny but will get the patina and the top surface foreign materials down
a bit while preserving the etch. Nice knife.

Bob

I would leave it be, that etch looks to good, why take a chance

Wow, that is gorgeous. You did well!

Good job! Thank you for not buffing it!!!!

Pawn1 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 25, 2021 5:50 pm 0ADD9E50-B0C0-4A1B-BDBA-C064B818A473.jpeg1DA73C7C-1C47-4D3A-B725-2ECE3A0F8AB5.jpeg7842CD79-9B7A-4788-9233-2F6AB1B0B437.jpeg

You have just found a new profession.

I wish! Honestly I would love to do it , I enjoy it. I wonder if I really could?