[S.Workman]

Originally Posted by trenchwarfare

If the spacers, and ferules are out of alignment, the handle is probably loose from stag shrinkage. First, see if the pommel will unscrew with just hand pressure. If not, try wrapping in leather, or rubber and use a vice. Don't use too much force, if corroded, you might snap the tang off. If the pommel just turns around the nut, penetrating oil, and a spanner wrench is needed for the nut. Once you get the handle off, clean the blade with whatever method is needed. Really need some pictures to know how rusted the blades are. If not bad, oil, and steel wool will do the trick. Then, clean the handle components of crud, and re-assemble, using a drop of epoxy between them. Screw the pommel back on. It can be a little tricky, keeping them all aligned. They weren't made that way. Handle components were tightened down with the pommel, and final shaping was done after assemblage.

OK, so the end of the tang is threaded in there? I had thought it was peened over, but thats good news. Can you not see the amount of rust on the blades? The only one Im only concerned about is the etching on the one blade, its not too deep so I don't want to get too aggressive with the polishing.