Just thought I'd share-- I cleaned up my Albion Knight this past weekend, and finally got around to using those "grey automotive ScotchBrite pads".
Albion has a sword-care page where they talk about this:
http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/sword-care.htmRepairing Minor Finish Damage
Minor surface scratches on the hilt components and blade can be removed using a fine (grey) ScotchBrite pad with oil. It is important to note before beginning, which direction the "grain" of the finish has already -- going against this "grain" will cause unsightly cross-scratches that will mar the finish and will be very difficult to remove by hand.
...
Blades are always finished from base to tip. When restoring the finish with a ScotchBrite pad and oil, always start at the base of the blade and run the pad gently and straight toward the tip in as even and continuous motion as possible.
The hilt furniture on my Albions often takes a little rust here and there, but the blades I've tried to keep really clean. The Knight was the one Albion of mine that had gotten discolored, because at a previous pumpkin-cutting event, for some reason it ended up getting used more and I didn't clean it as quickly.
I tried out the scotchbrites this past weekend, with WD-40, and the discoloration came right out. Nice!
I think these are the ones I have:
http://amzn.com/B000CQ6I7G
