admiration for beach hunters

[qtrs-xcite-me]

Decided to take a short vacation and try out my new Vortex 9. Drove to Biloxi, MS and tried my luck on the beaches. The first thing I noticed is that as a tourist I had no idea where to detect - the beach groomers do such a great job, there is no indication where large groups of people may have congregated. Second, I saw several other detectorists, so I presume the area gets pretty well picked over and there are probably fewer items dropped in the cold months to search for. I was pleased with the beach mode on the Vortex. I found a lot of items that were 8 or 9 inches down, including a stainless gerber knife that I hope to be able to rehab. When I left Biloxi, I drove almost to New Orleans via highway 90 - there are miles and miles of beaches one could detect.

Any suggestions on rehab techniques for the Gerber?

 

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[surfnturf]

Can you show us a picture?

 

[Barrydang]

Not a lot experience in it but I did my best going along the waters edge where the waves hit the beach. Managed to find a silver pendant and a small silver ring along with modern change and some fake jewelry.

 

[qtrs-xcite-me]

Here is a picture of the Gerber as found. When I referred to it as stainless that was a guess based on lack of rust and before I had done any research. Based on research, I now believe this is a Gerber Air Ranger - when I get the blade open and find it serrated, that will confirm. I have been soaking it with WD40 and that is dissolving some of the encrustation. Perhaps heated ultrasonic cleaner next?

 

[qtrs-xcite-me]

Not a lot experience in it but I did my best going along the waters edge where the waves hit the beach. Managed to find a silver pendant and a small silver ring along with modern change and some fake jewelry.

That is where I found the Gerber. However, the coins, fishing weights, and earring were all over the beach - not to mention the 30 pop tops I dug - hate those, particularly since their signal overlaps a nickel.

 

[RustyGold]

One way to see where people gather on the beach is to check out the live cams. If they are available for the beach you intend to hunt. Good luck!

 

[ARC]

"admiration for beach hunters"........

Well thank you very much.

***ARC fixes his hair and checks himself for Rum, coffee or food stains***

 

[surfnturf]

View attachment 2192218
Here is a picture of the Gerber as found. When I referred to it as stainless that was a guess based on lack of rust and before I had done any research. Based on research, I now believe this is a Gerber Air Ranger - when I get the blade open and find it serrated, that will confirm. I have been soaking it with WD40 and that is dissolving some of the encrustation. Perhaps heated ultrasonic cleaner next?

IMO I would definitely build a DIY electrolysis kit. There are a few YouTube videos on how to make one I use a salt (kosher sea salt w/no iodine) lemon juice solution and H2O.other people use baking soda. that will clean your Gerber in about five minutes.

 

[cudamark]

Evaporust works pretty good on rusty steel/iron pieces.

 

[qtrs-xcite-me]

IMO I would definitely build a DIY electrolysis kit. There are a few YouTube videos on how to make one I use a salt (kosher sea salt w/no iodine) lemon juice solution and H2O.other people use baking soda. that will clean your Gerber in about five minutes.

Evaporust works pretty good on rusty steel/iron pieces.

Good suggestions. I was fortunate that there was no sign of rust on this anywhere. The blade and belt clip appear to be stainless and the grips aluminum. After a WD40 soak for several days, I used a pick and compressed air to remove debris, tested to see if the blade would open, and then went to the wire wheel to finish cleanup. A bit of fresh teflon lube and the knife is usable. There is some loss of aluminum around where the clip attaches.

 

[ncsuwolf]

Be careful with the electrolysis and stainless. Puts off some nasty byproducts…..at least when stainless is used as an anode. Assuming same when the item to be electrolysized is SS as well.