Minangkabau(?) keris

[Jean]

Originally Posted by ariel

Thanks Detlef!

Will 3% vinegar do?

Like Alan I am using household vinegar for cleaning my blades but I try to find the most concentrated stuff (10% acetic acid, 8% minimum) for speeding-up the process, and I am covering the container in order to avoid evaporation and dilution of the vinegar. After initial mechanical cleaning of the rust, it usually does not take more than 36 hours for fully cleaning a blade, with regular scrubbings with an iron pad or metal brush impregnated with a cleaning paste. See the result on an old Panjang blade but keep in mind that the corrosion pits will remain and in some cases the outcome may be disappointing.
Regards