Rust INSIDE 1st luft. scabbard...

[steve h]

hi all. i have a first pattern luft which i picked up recently. it appears that at some time in the past moisture may have got into the scabbard.when i bought it there was powdery brown rust on the blade, this wiped off easily but every time the dagger is replaced in the scabbard it comes out with the same rust powder over the last 2-3 inches near the tip. so it looks to me like there may be some loose rust in there, i`ve gently upended and tapped the scabbard to get out the loose stuff , but does anyone have any ideas how best to seal or halt the progress of any rust in there?. i`m loathe to just spray WD40 penetrating oil or similar in, as i have a feeling that the rust may have eaten through in tiny pinprick holes under the leather (which is intact and near perfect),as there are minute `lumps` under the leather which correspond with where i suspect the rust to be, so any oil would seep through and darken the leather as seen from the outside.

any suggestions as to how to get to the corrosion and treat it would be very gratefully recieved!.

[Stu W]

First, stop returning the blade to the scabbard. Sooner or later rust will get between the blade and a scabbard runner causing a fresh scratch on the blade.

I suggest getting a very slim rod or piece of wood and coating the end with a cotton rag and Ren Wax then slipping it down into the scabbard and remove the loose rust by contacting it with the wax.

Regards,
Stu

[phild]

I echo the advice above

[steve h]

i thought of doing something similar, but would need something like a two foot long tongue depressor to achieve it.

and the blade is stored out of the scabbard at the moment.

thanks chaps. any further suggestions would be appreciated.

[scotty1418]

With some SA's, I've found it helpful to fashion cardboard strips of a good thickness and dip in and out a lot - which seems to get a lot of it.

It's soft enough not to do any damage, but can be thick/rigid enough to loosen up basic rust/dust.

[steve h]

the cardboard thing is also a good idea. thanks.

[Jon Fish]

I'm please you are putting the required thought in to it before jogging ahead. Like you say spraying WD40 in will no doubt cause issues of seepage or worse, just a greasy brown mess that comes off on your blade for years to come. Good luck!