Polish vintage Gerlach multitool knife with 11 tools

[samek]

Polish vintage Gerlach multitool knife with 11 tools - flea market find – for 2 €  .
It was covered with dirt and I spent 2 hours to clean it. It seems former owner used only knife blades, other tools are as new, only files are rusted a bit.
I bought a similar Gerlach knife 42 years ago and I lost it 33 years ago. It has only 7 tools.
If anyone has more informations on this knife, when it was made, link to vintage Gerlach knives, or anything… I would appreciate a lot.











Samek

[ducttapetech]

Looks fairly well built. 

that's us mobile

[lister]

Interesting knife! 

But again with the fish scaler?!? 

As for the rusted file, IF you are feeling adventurous, how about this:

Cream of tartar, when mixed into a paste with hydrogen peroxide, can be used to clean rust from some hand tools, notably hand files. The paste is applied and allowed to set for a few hours and then washed off with a baking soda/water solution. Another rinse with water, a thorough drying and a thin application of oil will protect the file from further rusting.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cream_of_tartar#Household_use)

Note that I have never tried that myself so I don't know how well it works. Nor am I certain that it will not ruin this type of file. 

[neillcurrie]

Interesting knife! 

But again with the fish scaler?!? 

As for the rusted file, IF you are feeling adventurous, how about this:

Cream of tartar, when mixed into a paste with hydrogen peroxide, can be used to clean rust from some hand tools, notably hand files. The paste is applied and allowed to set for a few hours and then washed off with a baking soda/water solution. Another rinse with water, a thorough drying and a thin application of oil will protect the file from further rusting.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cream_of_tartar#Household_use)

Note that I have never tried that myself so I don't know how well it works. Nor am I certain that it will not ruin this type of file. 

I use "Barkeepers Friend" on a ScotchBrite pad, with a little water, works wonders on rust and discoloration.

Here's the Gerlach contact info. They were founded over 250 years ago, Poland, have stayed pretty local in distribution/sales:

Foreign Trade Office:
al. Korfantego 2/523 40-007 Katowice
tel. 48 32 781-81-10
fax. 48 32 781-81-11
export@gerlach.com.pl

[Ray S]

Interesting knife and it looks to be of pretty good construction.Here is a picture of a similar one I picked up years ago.Made by Syracuse Knife Co. Thought it was a USA made knife as there was a company in New York by that name until I opened the pen blade and found the stamping:Product of Poland.Again a fairly well made knife;unfortunately the corkscrew had been broken off.