Recommendations for restoring vintage Browning USA knife?

I was given this vintage Browning USA Model 40 - All Purpose Hunting Knife, fixed blade (Browning 4018). The previous owner certainly didn't take care of it. The handle is in goodshape but, as you can see in the pictures, the blade is badly pitted and corroded. It's so bad that my my only idea to restore it would be it would be to either re-grind the blade or just plate the whole thing in nickel. Any better (or even decent) ideas?

JollyDeathCow said:

I was given this vintage Browning USA Model 40 - All Purpose Hunting Knife, fixed blade (Browning 4018). The previous owner certainly didn't take care of it. The handle is in goodshape but, as you can see in the pictures, the blade is badly pitted and corroded. It's so bad that my my only idea to restore it would be it would be to either re-grind the blade or just plate the whole thing in nickel. Any better (or even decent) ideas?

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Nickel plating is not the answer. Nothing wrong with sharpening and using as is, or touch up with a grinder or sander, then buff and polish until it meets your approval.

4 ought steel wool the blade, spray the blabe with some WD-40 and length wise scrub it with the steel wool, buff on a wheel with some jewlres rough but do not over do it, and sharpen the blade on a good set of stones, stay away from sanders and grinders, give the handle a good rub down some olive oil and use it.

Perfectly serviceable as is if it takes an edge. Maybe apply a series of sandpaper/emorypaper from 800 to 1,500 or 2,000 grit, lengthwise in one direction, just to even it out and reduce the roughness the damage has caused.
Sharpen it well. Maybe a little walnut oil on the handle then some hard paste wax.

The only way I know of to remove the pitting is to lower the surface below the depth of the pitting.

Plating (or any shiny/gloss finish) will only magnify the appearance of the pitting.

YMMV, but I would use something like naval jelly to stop the rusting, buff the blade into a satin (not shiny) finish, then sharpen it.

My recommendation is to not "restore" it, just maintain it and use it.

B P Arn said:

My recommendation is to not "restore" it, just maintain it and use it.

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I'm with that! I have seen folks absolutely destroy perfectly good blades by trying to "refurb" old blades.
It makes me wanna cry when I see all the WW2 Remington PH-36 at gun show tables somebody sanded down to "make it shine" again!
They loose all the lines of the original blade,, you can sand/grind metal off but you can't put it back on!
Your blade has a good shape yet, the pitting is just classic and beautiful patina, put an edge on that well made high-carbon blade and use it,

necchi said:

I'm with that! I have seen folks absolutely destroy perfectly good blades by trying to "refurb" old blades.
It makes me wanna cry when I see all the WW2 Remington PH-36 at gun show tables somebody sanded down to "make it shine" again!
They loose all the lines of the original blade,, you can sand/grind metal off but you can't put it back on!
Your blade has a good shape yet, the pitting is just classic and beautiful patina, put an edge on that well made high-carbon blade and use it,

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I agree. My favorite patch knife spent three years lost in a bucket of dirty water. I love it and cherish it. I have only one further suggestion: don't polish the brass .. it is in character with the fine knife. FWIW Dale

B P Arn said:

My recommendation is to not "restore" it, just maintain it and use it.

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My thoughts as well! That knife has character, to restore it would be a shame. That knife earned the right to look like it does, just like us! LOL!

Put a good edge on it and start cutting stuff. Nothing wrong with that knife as it is.

If you restore it to new condition, it’s going to sit in a drawer or closet unused because you won’t want to damage the finish. Make it serviceable, keep its condition from worsening and use and enjoy it.

A lot of folks will go to great lengths to make a new knife look like the OP's knife!

It looks like the edge is in good shape, amazingly, considering the pitting on the blade. I would consider taking a wire wheel to it to smooth out the pitting. My question is; was this knife originally plated? or has that pitting just eaten through the exterior polishing? If plated, I think I would grind the rest of it off and sand it down. I wouldn't worry about getting the blade smooth and removing the deep pits, just getting an even patina on the whole blade.

JollyDeathCow said:

I was given this vintage Browning USA Model 40 - All Purpose Hunting Knife, fixed blade (Browning 4018). The previous owner certainly didn't take care of it. The handle is in goodshape but, as you can see in the pictures, the blade is badly pitted and corroded. It's so bad that my my only idea to restore it would be it would be to either re-grind the blade or just plate the whole thing in nickel. Any better (or even decent) ideas?

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Well, it the edge is sharpen-able, you could just clean it up and use as is, cosmetics be damned!

rafterob said:

My question is; was this knife originally plated?

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That's a 60's vintage Browning 4018 Skinner, made with 440 high carbon steel, un-plated, w/Brazilian Rosewood and brass.
Someone in this knifes history has used "electrolysis" to successfully remove deep scale rust, thus the result deep pitting seen without rust profusion.
Any attempt to grind or power brush away that pitting would remove so much of the blades original shape,,
, that it would result in the blade being able to be sold as a "really sharp" butter knife or a new cool patch knife,,

Again to the OP, keep it as is, sharpen it, and use it. Knowing you have in hand a properly salvaged olde school high quality steel blade.
Some of them old ones ya just shouldn't wreck,,

B P Arn said:

My recommendation is to not "restore" it, just maintain it and use it.

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B P Arn said:

A lot of folks will go to great lengths to make a new knife look like the OP's knife!

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I whole heartly agree with Steve. That knife has character. Though abused, it still has serviceable life. I would love to add it to my collection, right along the side of my other Buck Knives.