blade discoloration

jharpphoto

jharpphoto

Joined
Jan 22, 2011
Messages
290
While handling one of my fixed blades a Winkler II I noticed this discoloration/stain on both sides of the blade. It still has the factory edge on it which very sharp and I've used it camping only once last year. I did wipe the blade down with gun oil to remove any sap or other forest contaminants then pretty much wiped it dry before storage. What could these stains be and do I need to remove them somehow?
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you might have missed the part where I said it still has a very sharp factory edge on it.
 
It might not be rust. While out camping it may have retained some sap, oil or plastics that have darkened since then and only now noticed. I’ve seen that happen and thought the same but after using some mineral spirits it came right off on the cloth I used to clean with. Maybe try that first with mineral spirits or a safety solvent before sharpening.
 
It prob a little oxidation from sitting in the sheath. Flitz polish should remove it
 
The edge has no coating. So it is getting some patina. Next time you sharpen the knife The discoloration will be rubbed off.

You need to make a decision keep it as new or use it. You can’t have both.
 
with tree sap it can look clean and still have a bit of residue ... but a little 0000 steel wool or scotchbrite and barkeepers friend or flitz usually works ...

on the edge a few light passes on a fine stone of strop works too.
 
You can dull the edge with that scotchbrite or put some different scratches on the finish above the bevel so it's not all uniform looking. So some kind of honing/sharpening is the best.
 
You don´t need to go out of your way to remove them. You said that the knife still has a sharp edge. Just use the knife for a week or two. If its rust or some sort of pine sap, it will come off with use. Once the knife ´s edge is on its way out, than sharpen it. No reason to remove good steel before its time.
 
:) Don't worry ! Be happy . It's only a normal bit of oxidation/patina , won't hurt a thing . ;)
 
jharpphoto said:
While handling one of my fixed blades a Winkler II I noticed this discoloration/stain on both sides of the blade. It still has the factory edge on it which very sharp and I've used it camping only once last year. I did wipe the blade down with gun oil to remove any sap or other forest contaminants then pretty much wiped it dry before storage. What could these stains be and do I need to remove them somehow?
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eveled said:
Sharpen it.
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89CrV2 is not stainless. It can corrode in storage even if covered in oil. And you wiped the edge dry, so there is not even that protection. That looks like corrosion to me. Eveled is correct. Sharpening it will remove the corrosion. Sharpen it and leave some oil on the edge next time you store it.
 
I'd suggest stropping! I, personally, pass every knife I own across the strop once a week.
I find it therapeutic as well.
 
Oh dear. It's called patina, and some people actually put it on their knives on purpose. It won't destroy your knife, don't worry.
 
Here's my Winkler bottle opener that is bevel-full of destructive rust:
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I'd strop it a bit. It will take it right off. I generally use some mild car polish and an old scrap piece of leather.
Stropping will polish the edge without hogging off a bunch of steel. A very wise forum friend who has since passed on gave some good advice many years ago. If you feel the need to impulsively sharpen your perfectly sharp knife, try stropping it instead. It will save wear and tear on your edge. This is especially true for those that prefer a convex edge. Thick convex edges are much easier to maintain than fully repair.
 
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