Black oxide blade maintenance?

[ike1518]

Hello, new guy here,

I just picked up a new TOPS/Buck Short Nighthawk with black oxide blade. How do I maintain the blade? Oil? Grease? etc. - I'm new to black, fixed- blade knives.

Thanks,
Ike

 

[knarfeng]

Black oxide will protect better if oiled. Oil will penetrate better than grease.

 

[gazz98]

I use oil too. As fer the pretty black coating, unless you are a collector, don't feel bad about scraping it all up. Toys are meant to be played with! Just use some oil (I usually use Rem oil) to help protect against rust.

 

[powernoodle]

If you use it, its going to show wear. But thats part of the fun.

 

[knarfeng]

I'm going to amend my comment above. It holds if the "black oxide" is on non-stainless steel. However, according to what I see on the web, the "TOPS/Buck Short Nighthawk" has a 420HC blade. Stainless steel is colored for appearance, not for protection of the steel. It won't need any oil.

 

[ike1518]

Thanks for the replies! If I could have chosen the blade without black oxide I would have, so if it wears off I won't get too excited. I'm not a collector (yet?) but I am a bit obsessive about rust. So a good oil it is!

Thanks again.
Ike1518