1095: Is this corrosion? Or patina? Please advise!

[VermontEdge]

Hi All,
Recently I got my first knife in 1095, a Lon Humphrey Whitetail! Loving the knife so far and it's already seen a lot of use. After cutting some limes/lemons a few days in a row, it's starting to develop a great patina. However, it has also started to develop some spots as well. They're very small, so it's hard to tell, but they seem to be black/grey in color and not red. Also, from what I can tell, they're not pitting either.

I wipe the knife down after every use and before resheathing, and I always scrub with soap and hot water at the end of the day and follow it up with a light coating of mineral oil. I don't store it in the sheath, though I carry it in the sheath during the day.

I've taken some pictures. Hopefully you can see it ok. They're in direct sunlight and after scrubbing.

So, my questions:
Is this a patina (good rust?)
Is this corrosive or red rust?
How worried should I be?

Also, if it is bad rust, do I need to worry about it? Or is it not really a big deal? I'm not worried about looks as much as I am about functionality and longevity.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Not sure which portions of the blade you're referring to, but...

On the ground portion of the blade, I'm not seeing much there besides what looks like normal patina. Rubbing that portion with a white pencil eraser will reveal if there's any red rust, as it'll discolor the white eraser with brown/reddish residue.

On the unfinished 'rough' portions near the spine & tang, I'm seeing what appears to be brown/red spots in places; those look like they could be red rust. Might use some baking soda with a little water to make a paste; apply it and scrub with a toothbrush on the brown/red spots, and see if they clean up. The baking soda is usually abrasive enough to scrub off red rust, which is lightly bound to the steel, without removing much, if any, patina.


David

 

[VermontEdge]

Thanks David, and sorry about the lack of clarity. I was referring to the spots on the ground portion of the blade about 1/3 of the way toward the tip.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Thanks David, and sorry about the lack of clarity. I was referring to the spots on the ground portion of the blade about 1/3 of the way toward the tip.

OK. As I mentioned, I don't see much in the ground portions to be too concerned about. But, you could still reveal any marginally-rusty areas with the white pencil eraser, if you want to. Your cleanup & maintenance scheme, as you described, should do pretty well in staying ahead of anything serious.


David

 

[Omega Leather Works]

With common sense carrying the knife in its leather sheath shouldn't pose a problem. I have knives that have been in their sheaths for months with no issue. They get pulled when I need to use them otherwise they stay in leather.

If your leather is wet, allow it to dry.

If the knife is dirty, or wet, clean it.

Don't store in high humidity, but that goes for bare steel as well.

Pretty knife.

 

[BluntCut MetalWorks]

Pic isn't definitive, hence I could be wrong...

Spots/black-specks are pitted rust. Hopefully, they aren't too deep. Many times poor ht can promote fast pitting.

 

[BITEME]

Looks like patina to me ,I have seen and actually have some Old Hickory knives (which are also 1095)that have a lot worse patina/rust than that ,I usually just remove it with very fine sandpaper or steel wool-I have had these old hickory knives forever and they are still perfectly usable

 

[lobo9er]

could be but I wouldn't think its anything to worry about if your edge stays sharp with regular use on a cutting board i am thinking your heat treat is good using it is the only way you will find out if it is going to fail. safe queens never have a chance to fail...

 

[VermontEdge]

Thanks for the help everyone! Nothing came off with the pencil eraser test, so I'm feeling pretty good.

I also scrubbed with soap and hot water and they didn't come off.

THEN I used a needle and ran it over the spots. I couldn't feel or detect any changes in the surface or pitting or anything.

As Lobo9er said, I'll just keep using it as I have been and keep stropping and oiling regularly. With that much usage my edge will be safe and that's what really matters!

Thanks again!