Folks, is it just me, or does it seem humorous that someone would consider outright RUST the same thing as patina.
"Evidence" of prior use and oxidation, in my humble opinion, is certainly not the same as "ACTIVE OXIDATION" (i.e. the continual degradation of an object). I do not believe RESPONSIBLE cleaning of a tool to remove active rust, scale, dirt, etc. should remove the value of an object and preserve its integrity should be paramount. The evidence (staining of the metal) will remain to attest to its age.
Of course, polishing (a gentle term for the actual abrasion of a surface to obtain either a more pleasing luster or surface texture) would understandably remove the HISTORY we revere in the tool.
Either way, which ever you chose, don't do it half-way. If you are going to polish a tool to restore it, do a thorough job and take it apart and do it right (not just to make the digital picture look good. If you are going to preserve a tool in its aged look, still take it apart and do a good job of removing the active oxidation in all the nooks and crannies. Anything less, just leave it alone and advertise it "AS IS".
How do you folks feel?
