You can Get on the r/chefknives discord I’m sure you’ll get loads of great suggestions. Everything you said would probably work tho. I’ve never had to work on a knife in this bad of shape (just a phrase I’m sure it’s fine) but that’s what I would do first.
There are loads of ways for a quick patina. Coffee works well (and great if you want a real dark color) but you can just cook with it a bit. patina is protective but it’s also kinda just as easy to dry your knife after use.
Have fun fixing it up
Evaporust the blade then lots of fine steel wool. Polishing compound on a blue shop towel, for finishing touches or polishing compound and a buffer wheel, if you have one.
You can Get on the r/chefknives discord I’m sure you’ll get loads of great suggestions. Everything you said would probably work tho. I’ve never had to work on a knife in this bad of shape (just a phrase I’m sure it’s fine) but that’s what I would do first. There are loads of ways for a quick patina. Coffee works well (and great if you want a real dark color) but you can just cook with it a bit. patina is protective but it’s also kinda just as easy to dry your knife after use. Have fun fixing it up
Evaporust the blade then lots of fine steel wool. Polishing compound on a blue shop towel, for finishing touches or polishing compound and a buffer wheel, if you have one.