US pilot knife

fastcarsgofast

I am soon to be the owner of a vintage pilot knife made by camilus. The blade has some surface rust as does the guard. I want to soak it in CLP to help get the rust off. Can I take the leather handle off first, or is there a better way to do this?

perry shooter

USE Kroil then keep blade wet with a paper towel wrapped around blade for 48 hours then use brass pot scruber to take off rust but NOTHING ELSE Use Ballistol on cleaned blade and leather. CLP is NOT a rust remover.

rufe-snow

I would do some research on the knife, and any potential collectors value. Prior to taking any sort of abrasive to it.

I speak from personal experience. Many years ago I took some emery cloth to a authentic Marine K-Bar. Because some of the Parkerizing was worn off the blade, and I wanted to make the finish uniform.

There is a knife collectors forum on the net. I would take photos of it, for the military knife collectors. To get their input before doing anything to the knife.

Lucky007

perry shooters advice was spot on: Kroil is the way to go for rust removal.

fastcarsgofast

But will kroil hurt the leather on the handle or should I deconstruct first?

Bill DeShivs

Unless you are an experienced cutler, taking that knife apart is not an option.
Use the Kroil, or WD 40. Soak the blade (not the handle.) DRY the blade, then use the copper or 0000 steel wool to GENTLY scrub the rust-wiping it away frequently. Repeat both processes as necessary. When finished oil the blade.

sandwarrior

quote:Originally posted by fastcarsgofast
But will kroil hurt the leather on the handle or should I deconstruct first?


I recommend not 'deconstructing the knife. The hex pommel is screwed onto a full length tang that is then peened and ground flat.

Suffice it to say the collector value will be what you have minus corrosion damage. If you do "help it out" damage, it will make it a lot worse.

FWIW, these are still being made (to the same quality as originals) and not really collectable unless it belonged to someone who did something unusually above and beyond.

Added: Not being made by Camillus, obviously. The basic quality of this knife though, brings around $50-$75

fastcarsgofast

I didn't think it was going to be collectible. I am getting it as a utility knife. I just want to take care of it like if should be.

Fatstrat

The handle is made of stacked leather discs that are compressed EXTREMELY tightly. Unless you have the means to re-compress them and know how, I would not advise taking it apart. AS a hobby, I restore USMC knives that I find in poor condition. Due to the method of pommel attachment, I do not work on pilot knives. [img][/img]http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t249/Fatstrat59/IMAG0260_zpsc0b24718.jpg

p3skyking

Camuilus still makes them so they're pretty common as dirt. Nothing really outstanding about then except the two holes in the guard you can run paracord through and make a spear.
A Kabar actually has more utility.

fastcarsgofast

I picked it up this morning. It had more than showed up in the photos is sent, but for about $25 I think I did OK. I couldn't wait until I got some Kroil so I used CLP, copper wool, and a brass brush. It cleaned up pretty well, and has the cool factor that an old knife should.

Thanks for the advise guys.