I still believe that Pineapple juice is by far the best means for NON DESTRUCTIVE rust removal. You do not have to remove the handle. Make yourself a suitably sized "bath" out of a piece of plastic pipe with 1 end capped. Suspend sword/knife in juice by using a wire bent to suit. See pics herewith. All you need for serious rust is PATIENCE, and plenty of it. Take blade out every so often and rub it with SCOTCHBRITE> no scratching and in fact it will polish eventually.
GOOD LUCK!!
