My grandmother just sent me this after she found it. Allegedly it belonged to a family member that lied about his age and joined the military at 14 and was discovered and kicked out at 16 I assume that was WW1 my great grandfather was in the navy in ww2 and was not underage and probably wasn't issued this knife. Anyhow my grandfather took this knife to Vietnam twice in the USMC. I'd never thought I'd get one of these and didn't know there was one in the family I couldn't be happier well maybe if I had the scabbard. How do you guys recommend I clean the blade? I'll leave the handle as is of course also what is this one worth? Just curious I will never sell it.

Hi SMG - congrats on caretaking for this fine family heirloom. Appears to be the Au Lion maker 1918. I would put a light coat of oil on the blade, and resist the urge to try and clean the rust off. I keep re-learning that lesson.

 

"Hmmm, maybe just a few light passes with some four-ought steel wool. Swish-swish-swish... Ack! *#%+*%#!"

 

That blue-green patina on the handle is dreamy, so I would be very careful to not malign that in any way. I would put nothing on the handle except my hand - sparingly.

 

Congrats again Sir.

Sorry its a 1960s version ,should say JAPAN on tang.

I would agree.

 

Appears to have had the bright blade as well

Well that's sucks kinda however I don't see Japan on it. Could be under the rust anyhow my grandfather took this to vietnam my dad remembers it.

Its inside handle on tang...

I do believe that version you have was carried by vietam era soldiers & thst maybe the cia used them for trade fodder.

Ah well still the coolest knife in my collection.

Hey, my bad. I thought the blade shape was a little off, but incorrectly assumed the shadow in the pics was tricking my eyes. Thanks for putting me on the rails all.

I did not have the heart to say what I thought. Still a nice family piece though!

Yeah that's my luck for it to be a repro but still has my Grandfathers history. Now I think I will clean up the blade for sure.

Try some kroil. Expensive but worth it. Few drops on nut and grip, let sit a day or so and you can unscrew nut, remove blade and see its a repro. Wrap blade in cloth soaked in kroil , lots of rust will come off. Used to use these re enacting in the 80's.

While not an original WW1 era trench knife, if your grandfather carried it in VN, that makes it "original" in a different way.

It's still a family heirloom, and was carried in Vietnam. Cherish it! They are well made, and functional, just not original WW1 era. Have had one for 45 years. SKIP

If it was mine, I would wipe off the handle with a clean rag with some Hoppe's No. 9 to clean off the loose green crap. That is not patina.

 

Then, I would apply a generous coat of CLP Teflon oil to the blade and rub it gently with OOOO steel wool, or finer. All the superficial rust should come off when you wipe it off with a clean rag. It's your call, of course; like I said I would do it if it was mine, but I take no responsibility if you choose to do it. Congrats on a genuine Vietnam PX, or mail-order knife.

The family connection makes this priceless, no matter what.

Mikie

I agree that while not something considered issued, it is carried in a theater of operation by your grandfather during Vietnam. If it were mine, (and it isn't), I'd be sitting beside gunbarrel and USARV72 getting rid of the active rust.

Cherish it, IMHO it's priceless.

SMG,

First of all, Great Knife from a family member. I would have it in My collection any day. I collect UDT/SEAL/CIA items and having worked with these communities, It would blow collectors minds of all the different types of off the shelf gear that is issued(Yes issued from the supply system). I hope this does not seem like i am trying to hijack Your thread, but is an example much like Yours. Helping a retiring colleague clean out his garage, I came across this knife.In the usual manner, I asked what he was doing with this POS dagger blah blah..... I was informed of My ignorance and was proceeded to be schooled. This gentleman is one of the Legends of the CIA and was the one of the top guys in Vietnam. I was informed that these knifes were purchased for issue to the Montagnards at the PMTC in Pleiku who were being trained by the CIA. This dagger is just a commercial made in Japan for anyone who wanted a commando dagger. Nothing special, but well made, cheap and available, perfect for a clandestine supply or PX issue. This dagger has more history than some WWII daggers. Anyway, second point is that the blade was in similar condition to Your blade. I used ballistol cleaner and let it soak and lightly gone over with copper wool. Cleaned up nice as a pitted blade could clean. Since My 'education', I have seen numerous examples of SF/Military use of common Japan made knives, machete and hatchets used and issued in Vietnam. You Knife is for sure a keeper even without You family connection.

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Thanks guys I appreciate the comments. I am still more than happy to have the knife and it's family history will be kept safe with me. Here it is on display I'll get around to cleaning it sooner or later.