[ReadyontheRight]

I just bought an "Original Bowie Knife" made in Japan still in the original packaging at a garage sale. It has a stainless blade and a wrapped leather handle. There are some felt-tip-pen-sized rust spots and maybe some pitting on the non-exposed side of the blade from storage. The blade was wrapped in some thin paper, which seems to have left some dull marks on both sides of the blade.

How can I clean it up and get rid of the rust? I assume this is from the 1960s and of no collector value, but I have a similar old knife with a bone handle and I couldn't pass it up.

Thanks for the help!

[Dave Markowitz]

Take some 0000 steel wool and some gun oil and lightly rub the rust spots. They should come off, although depending upon how long it's been rusting you may have some pitting. You can also try Flitz Metal Polish.