in my opinion, some pitting would look better than mirror. Maybe that cat on YouTube with my cleaver could go this route.
I would have loved to have seen highly polished 1" edge and the rest just as it was with just enough light hand sanding to remove the flaking rust...then oil it and USE it!
^ yes! this! I want that cleaver! I freaking love rust finish, esp after blackening and soaking in hot beeswax.
I agree. Leaving the pits would have looked excellent. It would have given it a more rustic look. Not knocking the excellent work he did on it. I love to see old neglected tools restored and used.
Beeswax works well. I have a few Esee blades that I washed in alcohol then wiping down in pure beeswax. Seals everything nicely. Less rust, and very long term finish and easy to reapply.