Dull or chipped edge. This isn’t a issue really, unless it is horrible, a edge is pretty straight forward to restore. Look elsewhere on this site for information on how to sharpen knives.

Rust. Since we have been talking about Carbon steel, rust could be on the blade. If the rust is severe and deep, you may wind up with some pitting in the blade, but that will not affect the function of the knife. It will be up to you to decide if the look is too bad for you to deal with. To remove rust from a carbon steel blade, steel wool and vinegar works wonders. Perhaps if it is bad, some wet sandpaper and vinegar, or you can send it to someone who does knife restoration work.

Handle. one of the most common problems with a vintage knife is loose, cracked or missing scales. Over the years as the knife has been washed repeatedly, things can work loose. Replacing or repairing scales is not too difficult. In a upcoming article, we will be doing a scale replacement restoration. Changing the scales out, is a way to make a good old knife into a treasure heirloom. If you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, ask around for someone that does it.