Cleaning blade

[GregD]

I have an old western knife that has some pitting and a lot of scratches in it. Does anyone have a way I could clean it up ? Thanks

[Pine]

If you don't have power tools get some 320, 400, and 600 grit sand paper and go after it with some oil and elbow grease.
As for the oil, anything light weight will work. Olive Oil is my favorite if I don't have like 3 in 1

[tippit]

Like Pine said except I use Windex instead of oil...But that old blade looks great with the natural patina.

[DGW]

I second what Tippit said that blade looks good with the patina.  but I like original old time stuff!

[GregD]

I understand what you guys are saying about the patina. It looks like someone took coarse sandpaper and sanded the blade lengthwise. Would like to get those marks out

[H1tman7]

The only way your going to get scratches from sanding out is more sanding.
Get yourself some wet dry paper, a bit of water, oil, or windex
And settle in.

I would wrap the handle and pommel in Saran Wrap and painters tape to avoid putting marks on that. Then start at an appropriately coarse grit to remove the existing scratches, then go up, ie from 120 to 180 etc. spend plenty of time at the middle grits, and I would recommend a backer, and using only pull strokes from tang to tip. Watch a few YouTube vids.

Alternatively: you could try scotchbrite to blend them - might work ok but sorta a bandaid.

Or best of yet: find someone with a proper belt sander that has the requisite finishing belts: like trizact, scotchbrite, or cork depending on how far you want to go. What will take a few hours by hand will take a few minutes in the grinder to a skilled operator.