Electrolysis Question

[Aragorn243]

I've done the electrolysis baths so I know how they work but am wondering about putting a knife in there with a wooden handle and brass rivits. Since it's just a mild detergent in there I wouldn't think it would hurt the wood but not sure, also not sure of the brass.

I picked up a pair of USMC Corpsmans knives last night that both have significant rust on them. Probably never issued but stored poorly. The rust continues up between the handles.

I believe with electrolysis they will clean up with pitting in only a couple of areas, one being a lot better than the other.

Anyone with experience with these issues?

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[browningautorifle]

The only thing about the wood is absorbing water and then causing the rust to return again, now to blister out from underneath. I removed the scales on one here and reused the rivets and all later...

[WarPig1976]

The brass is ok to run through. I know some Civil War relic hunters clean their brass with electrolysis. Like Jim pointed out your basically soaking the wood in salt water for a few hours so can't be good for metal underneath.

[Aragorn243]

I can't get these rivets out without destroying them. I don't put salt in the bath just washing soda. Maybe that has salt in it?

[WarPig1976]

Maybe that has salt in it?

It does, washing soda is Sodium Carbonate. I use it too, if I don't dry and oil right away the whatever starts to rust immediately.

[Aragorn243]

So you guys think I should just submerge the blade and not the handle?

I can manually remove rust from that area.

[WarPig1976]

I can manually remove rust from that area.

I would. Plus soaking the scales runs the risk of cracking if they dry out too fast.

[browningautorifle]

I wouldn't submerge the handle. That's where it took the wrong turn originally, the handle got good and wet and held moisture, rusting underneath. You'll never get that out without removing the scales. If you did get it out through liquid process, the scales would now stand proud of the metal leaving a gap.

[Aragorn243]

I don't believe there is much if any rust under scales. They don't appear to have ever been wet. They seem good and tight. Probably just damp air caused blade rust on exposed surfaces. I can't look closely at them right now to verify.

[Aragorn243]

OK, no submersion of the handles. I guess I didn't explain it right in the first post. The rust between the handles is just on the surface of the exposed metal between them. Does not appear to go inside and under the wood far but I guess that is possible in small amounts. Handles are bone dry, one looks like the day it was installed, the second has a bit of staining on it, this one does have some rust under the handle as it is the worse of the two. Both are Chatillon NY three rivet knives. For the price I paid, I figure I can restore the two of them and sell one to pay for both and maybe make a decent profit. I already have a four rivet Village Blacksmith version.

Thanks for your help. I did have some concerns with cracking of the wood but never considered new rust forming under them.