Restoring rusty Japanese chef knife - Knife restoration

I found this rusty old Japanese kitchen knife while browsing ebay. What a great find for my restoration projects. It has some rust and the handle needs to be replaced. I was a little surprised how much rust there was on the tang. Luckily it still had quite a bit of steel left so I didn't have to weld a new one on. I used copper and walnut for the handle. All the pitting was sanded from the blade and it was polished to super mirror shine.
Please, if you like my videos, subscribe and share the videos that helps me a lot. In case you want to support me, I have Pateron: / oddtinkering
All feedback is appreciated and I try to read all the comment although I can't answer them all.
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[@juno2928]

me: *has watched a million antique restoration videos* guy: *restores antique* me, every time without fail: :0

[@sandrosaxel]

It's not antique though, ancient times are the era before the middle ages

[@juno2928]

@@sandrosaxel youd know you absolute fuckin nerd

[@jamesklebenow6885]

Guy: busts out some mc-51

[@dazzystart]

Haha totally

[@ohhhbirdy5975]

"I got a small cut on my hand" *his entire thumb is bandaged*

[@huntadeer9285]

Well if he gets metal shavings or something in his cut it could be really bad

[@summerglassleaves3073]

I was so anxious that something super bad would happen while he was handling the knife😅 Good thing it was just a small cut

[@dashrendar8739]

Wear gloves

[@jeffreya8329]

All Pro Sports like tetanus?

[@TonyTear]

@@jeffreya8329 or rust in the blood which can cause sepsis

[@2HighTowel]

I was looking through your channel to find a way to contact you, I love these restoration type videos and actually have an old WW2 Bayonet that I was wanting restored. Keep up the good work!

[@Ravenhar]

Can we get this man noticed. I wanna see that

[@tiannatheorizer5742]

@OddTinkering we need this man to be recognized

[@RISTA51]

Pls help this man get noticed

[@maginotline7490]

No way me too

[@scarletcrusade77]

Please do send it in for a video

[@gardini100]

can you restore my life ?

[@voldom88]

damn

[@carsonknott7061]

@@bicute7574 Savage lmao 😂 😂

[@carsonknott7061]

Me to tho

[@thomasarchbold9982]

Carson Knott you to what?

[@angelamorales9114]

Same 😂

[@ramenguy007]

When you started to mill the slot in the handle i felt like i could smell the wood fragrance from through the screen XD

[@Sirdiggar]

Omg I felt the exact same thing, I remember at school using these tools and the unique smell of wood burning.

[@raymartinez5788]

For some reason I went quickly to comments to see If anyone recognized the maker. Not sure what difference it would've made in my life. 😄

[@VerbenaHA]

Just for the sense of community, I think, and the satisfaction of solving the mystery.

[@mr.miscellaneous9144]

We are a curious species, we ask questions even when the answer really has no impact whatsoever. For instance, why am I watching these videos at 1:30 in the morning? Why am I the only ginger in my family? When will my dad be back from buying cigarettes and milk? All mysteries that, in the long run, mean little to me. 😂😂😂😂😂

[@tedmiller2334]

This is better than any ASMR vid.

[@aelandin]

Ted Miller this can be considered asmr...

[@Rebellious_Melody]

Glad I'm not the only one.

[@mr.miscellaneous9144]

I find it more satisfying to watch than listen to, but yes, even there it is quite nice.

[@BP_on_ice]

This IS ASMR

[@mr.miscellaneous9144]

@@BP_on_ice the video doesn't mention that it was intended to be

[@PabzRoz]

I love this channel cuz it shows the true craftsmanship and art. Just the sound of tools and hard work. Not that BS techno music montage over everything.

[@Mecz2]

Me at start of video: Amazing I have a knife just like this that's rusted. This video can help show me how to restore it. Me 14 minutes later after seeing everything used: Well I guess the knife can stay in the back of the drawer then.

[@TheTheJimJim]

Very therapeutic and relaxing watching this process. Thank you.

[@TheScaryName]

I actually like the copper more than the original brass. I cringed a bit about the bevel being rounded over though... Nice vid man, keep it up.

[@MilesFinder]

And the buffing... Really prefer that whetstone finish on those knives.

[@Lunas2525]

My biggest issue was the handle it sort of looked like he compensated for making the pocket only on one side but several shots made it look off center to me. 2 he friction fit the blade I would have used some epoxy if only to prevent more rust on tang in future.

[@wyattharlow0921]

Nice channel banner...

[@therealshug]

Wow, perfect timing. I was just about to scroll down and comment, "no paper test?!" Awesome video

[@christofferagustin6753]

Same here. I was about to comment "But is it razor sharp?" Then this man did the unthinkable! 😂

[@imailedyouaboxofbees]

Oh, wow. My friend sent me this video so I could cool off after a rant about how EA basically ripped off the developers of Alice Madness Returns. Funny seeing your profile picture here. Love it 👌

[@therealshug]

@@imailedyouaboxofbees :D I'm obviously a big Alice fan! I think I got stuck in the first game when I was young, actually, and never finished it... gotta revisit that. And I should probably finish Madness as well...

[@therealshug]

@@imailedyouaboxofbees plus I'm a huge Quake and Doom fan, and American McGee worked on those

[@VerbenaHA]

The benefits of watching the whole video before scrolling down... I'm trying to do that more often.

[@VerbenaHA]

Oh, the tang on this poor knife. It warms my heart to see you put so much soul into every restoration. These videos warm my heart, they really do.

[@jmsmith1767]

The blade construction is called San mai, and it’s not a “lazy mans Damascus” it’s jacket steel my man

[@LORDOFDISCOCHICKENS]

yeah the blade geometry and materials on those are very specific, and have to be almost perfect for it to work as intended.

[@yooque5706]

What really killed me was the fact you finally put on gloves at the end of the video.

[@KnippenbergKnives]

Nice work. Thanks for sharing! I do reccomend to use a hard sanding stick when sanding (instead of your fingers) to assure that bevel transition line stays crisp. Also do all sanding strokes in a single direction, and alternate directions when changing grits. By doing so you can quite clearly see if you've removed all previous scratches before going up a grit. It also makes sure that all scratches that are still visible in your mirror polish all run in the same direction, which looks much cleaner.

[@manoftheedgemanontheedge6003]

I am a Japanese who was moved by your work. Characters that could be identified are （自）"self" or（白） "white" and （合）"combination" Other characters are too corroded. The knives marked with （合）“combination” are steel and iron. Indicates that they have been combined. Or it may be guaranteeing quality as part of the（請合） "contract". And（白） "white" indicates Hitachi Metals' white steel. Or, （自）"self" might be the name of the place, the creator, the knife store, or the owner. I couldn't find what I was looking for. It may be a practical item that was made by a small blacksmith. Sorry for the terrible translation. I will come back to see your great work again. Thanks

[@GR1M_]

Him : yeets package across the room Me : im interested

[@irish-wraith523]

Amazing how fast he can move without speeding up the footage.

[@OddTinkering]

I'm like Flash but I use my powers for sanding instead of saving the world

[@Laminity]

@@OddTinkering Haha. Good joke

[@80sGoblin]

4:06 when your mom texts you to clean something and you hear her pulling in.

[@jeremyvenin6813]

well you called it lazy damascus but it's not damascus at all and i don't think was sold as such anyway. Most traditional japaneses knifes (single beveled) like this Deba will have a steel for the core and a different layer of steel for the cladding. That's just how it is ;)

[@OddTinkering]

I actually knew this but I just tought it would be funny. Thanks for he explanation anyways!

[@johnksa4973]

In fact, sometimes the non-cutting layer is iron, not even steel.

[@integrity.]

And notice how the blade does go all the way into the handle and only goes half way? Could we even call this classic lol

[@Jackalski57]

@Charles-A Rovira Yes. The technique is called "Sanmai" which is three layers, as you've mentioned. A hard one encased in a softer "U" shape which serves as its sides and back to cushion the shock on the hard center section so it doesn't shatter.

[@crimsonfiend2700]

San mai is a form Of laminated steel with a stainless nickel based steel on the outside with a carbon based cutting steel on the inside

[@chaz7346]

I like the san mi being called lazy mans Damascus. I am going to use that. I love all of what you do. Keep it up!

[@itaintmistaken8055]

I'm convinced this was a murder weapon used multiple times. In the 1800s

[@emrat2110]

I taint mistaken omg yes, the thumbnail looks like blood

[@canna_craigy_uk172]

1800, 18 likes, must be true

[@Sirdiggar]

Yeah it murdered lots of fish.

[@sewerratwithabaguette1443]

Oof I thought they same thing

[@user-cq5pv8zr3h]

Same 😂😂

[@Muzzi.]

I could literally watch these videos all day. The end result is so satisfying

[@buttonpusher3786]

I kind of want info on what you're doing and why but as I'm never going to do anything this is so much better. Great work. I'm also slightly jealous of your awesome knife!

[@SeasideASMR1]

I love how you had to re-create the whole handle but kept it true to the original. Great job as always! Super sharp as well.

[@dalewayward4540]

Except he did not. The origional was a little thicker in the middle and hos is strait the whole way.

[@paveloleynikov4715]

@@dalewayward4540 maybe. But handle is definetly took too much water and was deformed, so we can't say, what how it was shaped originaly

[@madmayhem2000]

Great restoration. Your videos are very satisfying. Some people will comment on how you're doing things "wrong", but the only thing wrong would have been leaving the item in its state of disrepair.

[@Acemethyst]

I love this kinda stuff, these kinds of projects are so fulfilling to see and do.

[@user-xx1kx8dn5f]

※ Google translation Good!! The knife looks black is steel and the gray part is iron I hope that the nuances of steel and iron will be transmitted. The knife's steel cuts great but the grinding is tough If all says the thing of steel finely, it is called "honyaki（本焼き）" or "all steel（全鋼）" This kitchen knife is made of steel and iron (soft iron) So it cuts wonderfully and polishing is easy If we say such a type of kitchen knife in detail, it is also known as "Matched kitchen knife（合わせ包丁）" or "set steel（つけ鋼）" etc. Knife body and handle This part is baked in Japan Why do you do this? By baking the iron part of the knife handle Because the inside of the handle wood is burned and fixed It is an important point In the old way the candle will keep water out of the joints Epoxy resin is better now With a candle, it will soon disappear Since the part of the kitchen knife which is put in the handle of this kitchen knife is iron, when it is washed, water will collect in the gap of the tree and rust So I'm worried that the wood will rot and the iron will rust and break I hope it will be transmitted

[@user-xx1kx8dn5f]

※Google Translation I reviewed the whole video The important thing to fix Japanese steel knives is to keep the body cool In that respect he is trying not to give the body a fever Electric sanders are not a strong way of heating Why is the act of giving the knife a fever? The knife's steel is very delicate to heat Heat will alter the content of the steel and it will not cut off A knife that can not be sharpened but cut is called (Namakura（なまくら）) In Japan, steel knives are very easy to rust but they cut well, so care is taken care of Wash and rinse with hot water every time you use and let it dry well I often polish and apply oil By doing so, the kitchen knife will be used for as long as twenty years It would be better to make the main body of the kitchen knife into a mirror surface with less rust. I think that it is very good if sealing is done so that water does not enter with adhesive. Some people do not seal in Japan There will be hundreds of knives and replacement handles on sale. And it may be because it is a forgotten technique, because such a technique is not necessary for the handle style of the western knife over time I admire his restoration(￣ー￣)ｂｸﾞｯ! I'm using translation so I'm keeping it short so words won't change(；・∀・)

[@ea773]

@Mike Nunyabizness Well then if you are such and expert maybe you should start your own KZbin channel and show us all how is should be done and hope some other "expert" doesn't point out all of your mistakes.

[@PNWhashmits]

@@ea773 he wouldn't make any. Obviously.

[@gdi24-7]

Mike Nunyabizness he probably picked the knife up at a tag sale or maybe even out of the trash. So no matter how he restored it he probably saved the knife from being thrown away and to never be seen again. I’ve seen other restorations he’s done and they weren’t done correctly but the end result was stunning just like this knife. He restores these items for aesthetics so they either LOOK new or better than new, not necessarily for functionality that would be a different KZbin channel ie. Gun restoration for dummies or Knife restoration for anal retentive idiots. I am a chef by trade and have knives like Masamoto and Shun so I’m not just talking out of my ass. At the end of the day he does an awesome job restoring things and producing great entertaining videos. Keep up the great work. Mike please stop trolling/hating on him and maybe give him some advice here and there. マイク彼はおそらくタグの販売で、あるいはゴミからさらにナイフを拾った。それで、彼がどのようにそれを回復したとしても、彼はおそらくナイフが捨てられるのを防ぎ、二度と見られないようにしたのでしょう。私は彼が行った他の修復を見たことがあり、それらは正しく行われなかったが、最終結果はちょうどこのナイフのように驚くべきものだった。彼はこれらのアイテムを美学のために修復しているので、それらは新機能または新機能よりも優れているかのどちらかである。ダミーのための銃の回復または肛門の保持的な馬鹿のためのナイフの回復。私は職業のシェフで、MasamotoとShunのようなナイフを持っているので、私は自分のお尻から話すだけではありません。 一日の終わりに彼は物事を復元し、素晴らしい面白いビデオを制作する素晴らしい仕事をします。 これからもいい結果を出し続けてください。マイクは彼にトローリング/嫌いをやめて多分彼にあちこちで彼に助言を与えなさい。

[@gdi24-7]

Mike Nunyabizness you did us all a favor by unsubbing yourself nobody gives a shit about your opinion. Don’t let door hit ya where the lord split ya..

[@michaelpayne754]

Excellent restoration job amigo, now that is one blade that is super sharp!!

[@yoooooo0120]

文化の違いの面白さと、モノを知らない恐ろしさが良くわかる動画ですね。

[@jamesklebenow6885]

Mc-51 must sponsor like every restoration channel on KZbin.

[@pedroojedam]

Another A+ video señor Odd tinkering.

[@HonzukiNoGekokujou]

A small cut while sanding... that reminded me of the time I made a small keychain in 3D art class and tried sanding for the first time, only to realize too late that I had been cutting into my thumb with the sandpaper for a while. It wasn’t enough to bleed, but there were so many cuts that the skin on my thumb looked just messed up.

[@Daemon_Wraith]

With the amount of time you have to spend removing dirt, rust and old paint from things, have you thought about investing in a sandblaster?

[@TheTheJimJim]

The machines would likely make it far too easy to accidentally obliterate stamps and etchings.

[@alexdavis1235]

Everything you do looks and sounds so wholesome and I love it

[@Tony-_-10]

This man's power is sanding at the speed of light 4:06

[@mikehunt1437]

just for future refrence use a two part epoxy to bond the knife to the handle and also there is a tecnique where you heat the tang red hot and burn it into the handle

[@chileanguyfleegman1908]

This sounds interesting, could you share a video where this process is shown?

[@erikferland6602]

I used the heat technique for the knife I made. It’s effective and smells amazing.

[@annlanzi3590]

Dude that ending felt more like “subscribe... or else.” Oh s*** i’m subbed. I also terror hit that notification bell.

[@Borededer]

Guy: Cuts grit needed to restore knife with knife he’s restoring Me: well that’s one way to do it

[@jeffrex6305]

Directions unclear I accidentally SCRIBED

[@Partsnotshown]

These are the most satisfying videos I've ever seen. I literally love the zero dialouge

[@SirDuckyOfAlfheimr]

Amazing work! That knife is gorgeous!

[@Emiliapocalypse]

Beautiful! The shine on that blade is quite satisfying

[@that_one_dude_3541]

Awesome video I really liked the comparison between the before and after

[@OddTinkering]

Thanks, I try always to remember add that to the end. I think it helps you to see the results because it's easy to forge what I started with

[@AVerySexuallyDeviantOrange]

No wood stain?! There’s a special place in HECK for people who don’t make the wood look shiny.

[@grahamparr4710]

Did you epoxy the handle or just friction fit?

[@user-mw6qu3ju6r]

ツルツルにしただけで、包丁を研いだとは言い切れないレベル 本物の包丁とは切れ味に差が出る

[@chiatut619]

It turned out so good! And the paper test 🤤

[@Billi_crow]

I really don’t like how that belt sander was moving across the table lol

[@jacobroman3168]

Your the best role model ive never had, your work is the greatest form of ART.... And that says a lot coming from me.. im a tattoo artist i know an artist when i see one...

[@gabrielsena1144]

Ficou ótimo! 🇧🇷

[@sevenice4009]

I believe that he never speeds up his videos he is just simply that fast

[@ClearCaseMan]

This is awesome work. I would love to see you take this to the net level on the finish.

[@larannar123]

I subscribed man,you're doing fantastic work!!👍👍

[@MoMo-pn5ps]

Again Amazing work, you are incredible.

[@OddTinkering]

Thanks!

[@DeirdreYoung1]

Beautiful work. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[@adhamrabah598]

Me: No-one: Not a single soul: Me: ... YT: Japanese knife restoration

[@genericusername5834]

Adham Rabah stfu

[@schwarzesfleisch5809]

Нахуй писать вот это блять никто, я, ни одна душа и двоеточие ставить

[@cod-beastkyx1726]

Out of all the restoration people I’ve watched your the best

[@OddTinkering]

Thanks, I really appreciate it (although I disagree)

[@Latinagoddess777]

I love that he is using the pocket knife he restored to cut open the package :)

[@fall3nange11]

the final cutting part is sooo soothing

[@zaakira0546]

I’m impressed....amazing restoration👌

[@aidanbae6162]

What kinda chef ar ya? RIP Papa Franku

[@tomatoboi5735]

I was gonna say that knife needs more sharpening but nah That's enough sharp

[@jalenv.4958]

Damn you can wash dishes good 👍

[@homicidalmuffin6190]

Every single thing you do is perfect 💯

[@kevss1993]

Great video. It's a Deba knife, made for breaking down fish and such. It's really good at chopping off their heads, that's why it has a thick blade. It's also really good at breaking down crab and lobster.

[@ApolonioMirandaoficial]

Parabéns,trabalho excelente 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@johnksa4973]

The back side (non-beveled side) of the knife is typically not quite flat, it has a "dished" surface--almost a hollow-grind. It facilitates slicing by reducing friction and helping to prevent slices from sticking to the back of the blade.

[@gabrielemagnabosco8926]

actually hollow ground, but done with an osculatrix circumference of quite large diameter.

[@AlexVomAlex]

Some day we will finally see a face in his perfect polished surfaces.

[@Morani27]

This videos are like Primitive Technology but with restoration processes, so pleasing to see and hear,I already suscribe.

[@OddTinkering]

Thanks, I appreciate it

[@Seahorse1414]

That is a lovely , lovely thing

[@bryanventure7300]

I really like Japanese weapons and tools there just so cool !!!😄

[@deano43]

Love your restoration projects, you make it look easy.

[@OddTinkering]

Thanks! It's not super hard if you look up some tutorials but it's a lot of work

[@ryandonahue5141]

very beautiful and clean. if that brass bolster werent so damaged it wouldve looked just as great as well

[@OddTinkering]

Thanks Ryan

[@mathewphipps7724]

As someone just getting into this, what do you do with the old rust remover? I used vinegar and it was a small job so didn't feel too bad with a couple hundred ml's going down a drain, but for bigger jobs I feel like there must be better / more responsible options. What do you do?

[@raydoyonful]

Wow! Looks better than new!

[@mikemullen8174]

Not Damascus but San Mai construction, which I can confidently state after watching hundreds of episodes of 'Forged in Fire'. :)

[@ahmedragab4683]

In which condition should we use MC-51 ? Thank you for your videos you are awesome. I loved restoration because of you thanks man.

[@dendrobatus814]

I saw those items, too, on Ebay. Not sure if it was the same guys but they basically sell old rusty Debas for almost the price of new knives, which you can find on Amazon Japan.

[@j.a.citadel3258]

You my friend have truly impressed me yet again and I thank you for your videos as I love to mess around with things like this myself. I'm actually trying to bring my grandads army bayonet back to spec any suggestions would be much appreciated if I receive a reply thank you for the upload

[@OddTinkering]

Hmm. It depends son what sort of bayonett it is but in your case I would actually just do more of a clean up without any heavy sanding because I feel like the scratches and whatever are part of the history and doing similar restoration on that bayonett is going to erase that. Im assuming your grandad was in war. But with this knife for example, I have no relation to the previous owner so I don't feel like I'm erasing part of someone close to me but this is just how I feel. If you want to make it look brand new go ahead and have some fun. Maybe do a shadow box for the finished product?

[@daryooshfatemi]

One or two pins wouldn’t harm. Beautiful job by the way. ✨

[@natebolton9385]

This turned out great

[@michaeldowling1065]

Quality job top man 👍

[@OddTinkering]

Thanks Michael!

[@DarkzReaper]

My humor is really fucked up. Laughed my ass off for no reason at 4:06

[@gavinslawson]

Wow you sandpaper so fast!

[@bgg7518]

The copper and walnut for the handle looks SO classy. What a boss 👍

[@OddTinkering]

I tought so too. Really nice combination

[@theropesofrenovation9352]

That came out really nice!

[@OddTinkering]

Thanks!

[@TheMlkhk]

Hi, great video, perhaps next time you do a knife restoration you could use epoxy resin to seal the tang and the handle more securely?

[@en6737]

Great work on the restoration! As a side note please please please at least wear gloves when your doing the sanding work with the heavy grit on the belt sander. It would be a total shame if you irreparably damaged your hands doing restoration work

[@OddTinkering]

I should do that more but I also feel that any glove the would protect are just clumsy. Also in case I'm using the best sander for hardened steel such as the blade. I can't wear gloves so I feel when the blade is getting hot and I will not ruin the tempering. I can't do that as well as the master who made the blade.

[@OddTinkering]

But still a valid point

[@Jackalski57]

@@OddTinkering I hate wearing gloves too. You have no feel for your work because they never quite fit correctly either. They're also one more thing to get caught in machinery if the fingers are a bit long too.

[@horsetowater]

I would never wear gloves on a belt sander. If they got caught it could cause a nasty traction injury.

[@custord]

1:42 , no wood blocks or aluminium blockers on the vice? Any reason?

[@sewerratwithabaguette1443]

Plot twist this knife was used to kill someone then it was dumped into a river

[@Y2JMAN1986]

Love your restoration videos. Went back to an old video. Was wondering what brand of watch do you use it's neat.

[@zh6488]

Great video mate

[@aldavidsemail]

You should restore old kitchen utensils and then make a cooking video with them

[@frankg3072]

Great job!👍

[@huellaal568]

Great work

[@professor_lembach]

The cutting of the subscribe sign was vocally silent but still manages to say "It puts the antiques in the basket to be restored again. Isn't that right, Precious?"

[@paulharris5541]

Well done son! 👍👍 I’ve subscribed 👍

[@moseschrute7959]

Dude, your channel is so awesome. How did you learn to do this kind of thing?