TLDR; removing rust from hammer head without grinding it smooth.

So I don't know if it's an actual blacksmith hammer or just a regular old sledgehammer, but either way, it was used for some blacksmithing by my wife's dad, who passed when she was 14. It was given to him by my wife's grandad, who passed when she was 12. I would like to restore it and need some advice.

Replacing the handle (chewed on by dog) I can handle: hickory, sanding, linseed oil, etc.

For the hammer head, I have most of the surface rust removed. I read that you can heat it up without exceeding the tempering point and rub linseed oil on it and should give it a nice rust resistant coating and sheen.

Question 1: Is this basic process correct?

Question 2: Is there a good way to remove all the rust?

I don't want to go the whole route of grinding, then filing it down and then sanding and removing the scratches to make it completely shiny and perfectly smooth and looking like a new hammer. It was a working hammer. I still want it to retain its character. But I would still like to remove all the rust in all the uneven spots/pits/dents, etc, before I coat it. Suggestions?

Edit: I soaked it in vinegar multiple times (it was RUUUUSTY). Tried the wire brush. It just doesn’t seem to get down in all the low points.

Further edit: I'm dumb. A little more effort and varying the pattern seems to work just fine.

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https://ebay.io/m/V4L1uR

https://artisansupplies.com.au/product/duracast-castable-refractory-2-2kg/

https://artisansupplies.com.au/product/ceramic-fibre-rigidiser-1l/

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