Benchmade rust issues

[AceOfBlade]

Hello, all.

I recently bought my first Benchmade, an 810 Contego SE with a black Cerakote blade. I have nothing but good to say about it, except that a week or so after I bought it the knife began developing rust. I know CPM-M4 isn't a stainless steel and that I need to take care of it, I meticulously clean and oil the blade after use, and make sure it's always dry. Some discoloring is to be expected with a carbon steel, but despite my care the knife has developed nasty red rust, even though it spends most of its time clipped to the pocket or in the desk drawer. I have an old Imperial slippie in 1095 that I carry in the opposite pocket from the 810, and even though the two have been subjected to the same conditions the carbon steel slip joint hasn't developed rust at all. Did I get a bad knife, or am I doing something wrong?

The place I bought the Benchmade only allows returns within 7 days and only then if the item is still unused, so returning is not an option. Since according to the FAQ on Benchmade's website if you experience rust you should polish it off (which I have done using "Nevr-Dull" wadding polish , only for the rust to reappear literally within hours) I'm not sure their warranty will cover me.

I've owned dozens of knives in the past (Kershaw and ZT mostly with some CRKT and Gerber) but the Benchmade is currently the only knife I own (besides the slippie, which is rapidly falling apart) and I'm anxious to get this issue resolved since I can't live without a blade.
Thanks!

[Skimo]

Red rust on the edge?

[Lycosa]

Contact BM, man...

[nsm]

I'm certain if you contact benchmade they will help you with this. Let me know if you need help with a name or phone number.

[AceOfBlade]

Rust on the entire blade, including the edge.

And thanks NSM, but I have a number already, I just wasn't sure if they would cover me or not.

[pwet]

even on the coating ???? thats weird

[JayGoliath]

even on the coating ???? thats weird

I couldn't be sure about this but recently i got a Contego off a trade and i noticed some smearing on the coating.
The previous owner put a leather guard on the blade whilst sharpening and the leather bits must have stuck on the surface of the M4 steel.
It looks like tiny pitting to me (yet to be confirmed until i get the blade down to microscope) just like how you keep your blade in a leather sheath and it rusts happily inside.(the tannin and chemicals on the leather will work itself through the blade)

Now back to the question, how does the rust/pitting ever gets on the coating? and how do i remove it?
I couldn't remove it with WD-40 and ended up had to use light abrasive like ZIF (wok-cleaner) and run it lightly. The blade still look the same to me.

[The Mastiff]

Any way to post pictures of the knife?

[Chris Pierce]

Rust on a knife. Yep. Oil it