Antique machete restoration (big photos)

Z

zanthal

Joined
Nov 29, 2013
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This machete belonged to my grandfather, it is very apparently from the blade stamp a Martindale circa 1954 machete, made in England.

The thing is solidly made and aside from cosmetics is in excellent condition.

I want to restore it to at least a shadow of it's former glory (the machete, I think I'll leave the sheathe the way it is).

It's heavy, it's obviously made of a steel. Sharpening isn't the problem, I know how to do that using the three stone method.

My question is in returning the steel to a shine. I figure there will be some sort of scouring that needs to be done, maybe even a re-finishing, and then a polish, but I wanted to ask you gurus here on BladeForums so I can hear it from the horses's mouth.


Thanks


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Not to be mean but when ever I watch a show on antiques, they say don't clean things. Besides, I don't see much, if any, rust in your photos. Just a little bit of good patina. You can do as you like but I would just sharpen it. It is probably carbon steel and will repatina with use. I think it looks nice as is but that is just my 2 cents. Do what makes YOU happy.

If you were to clean it, I would start with a wire wheel on a bench or angle grinder. It won't need much work though because that is mainly to remove rust. 0000 steel wool might be a better choice to remove some of the stains. Then you can use some fine sandpaper. I would start with 1000 grit wet/dry.
 
That's alright Squashfan you make a valid point. Something this old might respond badly to chemical cleaners.
 
Never use a wire wheel on a bench grinder to clean a knife! No sandpaper, either!
There is nothing you can do that will make it look better-only worse. The machete is in fine shape as it is.
 
Thanks for the advice all :D I appreciate the benefit of your experience

I think I'll put a nice edge on it, clean up the bevels on the handle, and call it good.

Cheers -Mike
 
You do not state where your grandfather obtained this, but does the "broad arrow" marking mean that it was issued by the British military? That might affect its value to a collector.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
Never use a wire wheel on a bench grinder to clean a knife! No sandpaper, either!
There is nothing you can do that will make it look better-only worse. The machete is in fine shape as it is.
Click to expand...

The only time I have used a wire wheel was to clean an old, very rusty axe head. I don't normally tell people to use wire wheels to clean knives. I agree with your sentiments 100%. I would be more than happy to have that machete in that nice of a shape.

zanthal, enjoy that machete! It is well worth using.
 
Actually, I'm pretty sure it's not a machete aftrer all. It's a large carving knife that someone made a nice sheath for.
 
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