Ballistol sources and black stains

[SAK]

I see Ballistol recommended quite a bit. Where do you guys buy yours? Is it available at any brick and mortar stores? None of my regular online knife stores appear to carry it. I try to avoid using my credit card at a zillion different web sites.

I need something for my WWII. My Tuff Glide / Marine Tuff Cloth just isn’t cutting it. After a day in the wet woods hacking off fir limbs I end up with black stains that can’t be removed without buffing. The Tuff Cloth is better than nothing – one time I went out without first applying that and ended up with rust. However, it doesn’t do much to prevent the black stains / tarnishes that show up in just a day’s use, even when wiping down carefully.

Thanks for any help,

--SAK

 

[IUKE12]

SAK,
Ballistol is good stuff, I use it on everything from steel to leather. My source is www.midwayusa.com, Search for ballistol, the 16 oz bottle is on sale.

 

[Yvsa]

SAK although the Ballistol is an excellent product I doubt it will stop the black spots. That's probably an interaction between the sap and the steel. What kind of trees are you chopping?

 

[SAK]

SAK although the Ballistol is an excellent product I doubt it will stop the black spots. That's probably an interaction between the sap and the steel. What kind of trees are you chopping?

Yvsa, Douglas-fir and Alder.

--SAK

 

[Yvsa]

Yvsa, Douglas-fir and Alder.

--SAK

I used to live in Oregon, God's Country, where there was a lot of both.:thumbup:
IIRC the Alder is kinda acidic and may be what's contributing to the black spots?
I generally always clean up my khuks with a Scotch-Brite pad after use and especially on green wood. It gets rid of the polish but looks better with a satin finish IMO.

Edit:
SAK about the black stains. Quite some time ago I accidently spilled a CocaCola and a little of it splashed down and into a few of my khuk's I had setting by my computer desk.
The Coke left little black dots like a varnished finish on the blades of sveral of my khuk's.
When I scrapped them off a black dot remained on the blades that I haven't tried to remove.
Actually I have considered trying some Coke to see what kind of an etched finsih I could get but never have. One of these days maybe.
If I do I'll try it both with some dish soap and without as the dish soap generally gives a more even etch.
I do like a blued or dark finish on the khuk blades!!!!

 

[Bri in Chi]

Khukris are made to get dirty. Rust, stains, corrosion, pitting, and every conceivable form of corruption is what they do best.
That's why we're here. To keep you from worrying about this stuff.

 

[arty]

Hi carbon steel turns black with age and use, and you don't need to worry. My favorite kitchen knife is an old Sabatier chef's knife that is black all over, and holds an edge much better than my Gerber 440C or my Tim Britton custom made from Sandvik stainless steel.

Black is fine for working knives.

If you don't want them black, you can always spend lots of time polishing, oiling, and not using them.

I would try Breakfree CLP or some wax.