Encrusted Knife or blade

[MitchelN]

I went out on a Santa Monica Bay beach this morning hunting at low tide and I found this encrusted knife. It is about 12 inches long and I don't know the exact width. It was in the shallows and still wet when I found it so now it has only been out of water for about 12 hours. The location of the find is in Southern California. The only portion exposed is the tip. I have not attempted to remove any of the exterior. It is as found in the pictures.

I would like to know how to care for it, how to age it and get it to an expert who can tell me more about it.

Here is a link to more detailed pictures.

https://picasaweb.google.com/101421522673623412677/EncrustedKnife?authkey=Gv1sRgCOrk9MO2koL-5gE#

 

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[creskol]

What an interesting find! You may find the following like to be helpful.

http://nautarch.tamu.edu/crl/conservationmanual/index.htm

 

[artzstuff1]

That thing looks like it could put an eye out!!!!!

very cool!!! if you clean it up show us a before and after shot!!!

 

[MitchelN]

What a great PDF on preservation of marine objects. Much of the electronic chemistry mentioned is beyond me but I have had some organic chemistry in the past and I get a sense of the direction. I will have to figure out how to make the right carbonate solution to save it until further work. Thank you again.

 

[spitfire55]