All About Pocket Knives

I know, I know, opinions….. right?

Anyhoo, while I was grabbing a few updated photos for my catalog I ran across this old case (not as old as me tho) that the blades are looking a little rough on. I think I’ll put some CLP on it and give it a gentle rubbing with 0000 wool to hopefully knock down the worst of it without removing patina. Thoughts?

Pencil lead will remove that without damaging any patina, or any remaining original finish. The “lead” (hardened graphite) is harder than rust but softer than steel. My favorite is a flat carpenter’s pencil. The lead is wider (and therefore stronger) than a regular pencil, so less likely to break as you press down on it. And it doesn’t need re-sharpening as often.

Ken

Heck yeah, I’ll give that a try first! Thank you sir!

Old knife collector’s trick! When you’ve finished just wipe away the graphite dust/residue with a soft cloth. Recommend wiping the blade with Tuf-Glide or other metal preservative afterwards, before you put it away, to prevent further damage. Fingerprints are a collector’s enemy, especially on carbon steel, but you knew that already.

Ken

Truth, I’ve been using renaissance wax, seems to do pretty good, esp on some of my rare materials.

I like Renaissance Wax and have used it, but mostly on handle covers. Great for stag and bone. No complaints about it or bad experience using it on metal either, but Tuf-Glide on a micro-fiber cloth (or a Tuf-Cloth) is quicker, easier and at least as effective IMHO. Just wipe it on and you’re done, no waiting for it to dry, no buffing. Maybe not a big deal, unless you have a big collection. The important thing is to apply a good protectant.

Ken

You can use 0000 steel wool, gently.
But do not use it with oil. Doing so creates a slurry of rust (iron oxide) and oil-which is abrasive.
Oil afterwards.

Bill DeShivs wrote: ↑Wed Jul 15, 2026 10:39 pm You can use 0000 steel wool, gently.
But do not use it with oil. Doing so creates a slurry of rust (iron oxide) and oil-which is abrasive.
Oil afterwards.

Just wondering Bill, would bronze wool work? Do you ever use it on knife work?