Natural methods of restoring and protecting saw blades

I have a cross cut saw that despite oiling has started to present lite rust. I want to use the different rust patches to try a few methods of home scale sustainable toxic gick free methods for removing the rust and then come up with a few recommendations for oils to use to protect it between seasons.

Lemon juice and salt
Vinegar  and a soft brush

Baking soda baking powder and water paste wiped off and removed with very fine sand paper?

Please help oh great minds of permaculture!

Emory cloth?

Jay Angler wrote:Emory cloth?

I thought about that but didn't know if the ferrous bits in it might get scratched into the surface and open the steel to more rust!

Any ideas for a protective oil? I used some old gun oil last time and it seems any where it was in contact with a surface it rusted. Maybe I'll make a fabric sheath

Hey Clay. That's a gorgeous saw. Definitely worth preserving.

My notion is that the definition of "gick" is sort of tough in this situation. After you scrape off as much of the surface rust as you can, you'll be using an acid to clean off or convert the remaining rust. Hydrochloric (muriatic) acid or phosphoric acid are the hardware store options. Acetic acid at 50% concentration can be naturally sourced, but don't be fooled: it will burn you or blind you if you don't handle it correctly.

We explored some related ideas here (this is not a new concern, as you can see):
https://permies.com/t/132286/Bulk-cleaning-rust-removal-bolts
https://permies.com/t/173619/Put-machine-water-add-electricity
https://permies.com/wiki/127884/pep-tool-care/PEP-BB-tool-straw-removerust
https://permies.com/t/211256/Tools-grandfather-uncle
https://permies.com/t/173600/WD

But maybe there is a homebrew method I haven't heard of? That would be interesting.

Edit: There's another thread where I linked to the science of rust conversion (not removal). I'll be darned if I can find it.

Thabk you Douglas! I was really using the term toxic gick to mean things damaging to health and environment based on how paul uses it. In this case I realize an acid is the best option and I am not concerned with being burnt. I can use good safety protocols. I just want to have the least environmental impact with my purchases and really enjoy the experience of making or sourcing my own if possible.

I'll read into some of the other threads you shared but wanted to create a new thread to post pictures of the results of several different permie suggested methods!

Clay Bunch wrote: In this case I realize an acid is the best option and I am not concerned with being burnt. I can use good safety protocols.

We can buy "cleaning vinegar" which is 10% acetic acid and I notice its effect on my lungs, so yes - good safety protocols would be good.

I think this is a case of knowing your enemies better than your friends.

If you want to do battle against rust, it is probably best to know to what you are dealing with; its strengths and weaknesses. To start though, rust is a formidable enemy that costs humanity trillions every year as we try to combat its effects.

But it need not be complicated. You should keep your saw in a cool dry place. It really is that simple. That will greatly reduce its rusting. If you want to eliminate it, then store your saw in a deep freezer. Rust cannot form when it is below the freezing point.

For now, you got to get that rust off your saw. In that it is like cancer and feeds upon itself. It cannot be coated over, it must be removed and then prevented, and only in that order. As was mentioned emery cloth will do that easily enough.

As for a permie prevention, I would use wax. Not only will it make slicing through wood about 10 times easier, it will be a barrier to moisture.