52100 with DLC—will it rust?

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BlueBonnet

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Apr 19, 2018
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I like the looks of a grey Manix being offered in a 52100 steel with DLC coated blade.
So does Spyderco’s DLC remove the worry of corrosion (except for the very small sharpened edge)??
 
Its good practice to clean the blade when finished using it. Any blade for that matter. Even with S35V blades for example, if we are not careful in maintaining them, they will develope some sort of issues in the long run.
 
BlueBonnet said:
I like the looks of a grey Manix being offered in a 52100 steel with DLC coated blade.
So does Spyderco’s DLC remove the worry of corrosion (except for the very small sharpened edge)??
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I have heard that it doesn’t directly. Not saying it’s true, but along with that, supposedly the DLC helps retain oil better. This, helping with corrosion if oiled.

Honestly, I still don’t know if patinas help resist rust either. I have heard so many points on both sides that I simply gave up knowing.
 
Nope. But just keep the exposed edge dry or lubed. 52100 is superb steel, fantastic fine grain, terrific edge holding, easy to hone.
 
So, I don’t live near salt water...can I EDC this knife in my front pocket, use it a few times per day, sweat occasionally....but wipe it with a light oil each night and be okay?
 
Don't worry about rust. 52100 is a great steel (in the carbon steel family). With minimal care (keep it clean and dry) it will stay pristine for a long time. Sweating ? No worries. It needs no DLC coating at all (like any other carbon steel blade). Whenever you check a spot of oxydation, buff and oil, that's all. I have many, including kitchen knives, and they are a joy to use (and so easy to sharpen to a true razor edge : meat just falls apart). Not suited for a diving knife, though.
 
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Corrosion on the primary bevel other than being an eye sore has no real effect on the performance of the knife. You can take care of it when you get home.

Corrosion on the secondary bevel is always a concern. Common sense and a little maintenance should eliminate this problem. I would use a little chapstick on the cutting edge. It’s food safe and effective. From my limited understanding, DLC has some anti corrosion qualities.
 
herisson said:
Don't worry about rust. 52100 is a great steel (in the carbon steel family). With minimal care (keep it clean and dry) it will stay pristine for a long time. Sweating ? No worries. It needs no DLC coating at all (like any other carbon steel blade). Whenever you check a spot of oxydation, buff and oil, that's all. I have many, including kitchen knives, and they are a joy to use (and so easy to sharpen to a true razor edge : meat just falls apart). Not suited for a diving knife, though.
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That’s encouraging. I’m really liking this gray and black exclusive version! I’m sure I’ve had plenty of 1095 fixed blades for hunting in decades past...just get a little rust paranoid now that most folders have all the stainless supers.
 
Interesting. I have the knife but it feels like the coating prevents exposure underneath to the elements. Is it a "breathable" coating?
 
James Y said:
Several years ago, I emailed Spyderco asking if the DLC coating helps in corrosion resistance, and the answer I got was no, it does not.

Jim
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Thanks—that really surprises me. Seems like the DLC seals off the surface of the metal. Hard to imagine seeing rust spots showing up on their black DLC surface, but I guess it can happen.
 
For corrosion resistance, I like to use Marine Tuff-Glide. The product is described as something that bonds at a very basic molecular level to the steel and prevents corrosion - I don’t know how much of that is just salesmanship, but I have had good luck with the product on non-stainless steels. I have applied it to a handful of D2 knives that I carry in humid-swamp-butt Oklahoma, and they haven’t developed any oxidation spots.

DLC really isn’t spectacular at corrosion protection. I got oxidation spots on the flats of my 3V warcraft tanto, because all I thought to apply tuff-glide to was the exposed edge. It might help, but it’s no perfect barrier.
 
I'm about to find out when I buy one today...hopefully it helps. Also first experience with 52100 in general.

I have a regular and Marine TC, I think I'll try without it first and see what happens. This will be a good test here in the coming Texas summer...I carry in my RFP and my groin sweats like a waterfall in the summer.
 
Go for it, it's a sweet knife, I love the color combo. I got one when it released and find myself carrying it over all my other Manix 2's. I put a light coating/wipe off of mineral oil on the entire blade every couple of weeks.
 
I have one and love it. Keep in mind that the part of the blade that stays in the handle and rotates around the pivot, hits the stop pin, etc., is not coated. So even if DLC was "rustproof", you'd still need to watch that area. Not a bad thing at all, but wouldn't want someone to buy one thinking rust is a total non-issue. Just treat it normally as everyone above has been saying, and you'll be fine.

Personally, I don't care at all about the coating one way or another, but I also live in a dry climate.
 
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