Can cord wraps cause corrosion?

Daniel Moore

Daniel Moore

Joined
Jul 28, 2003
Messages
2,790
When you wrap the bare tang of a fixed blade, does water become trapped under the cordwrap causing oxidation? I have also read to soak the paracord first to allow pliability and elasticity for the wrapping process, and a tighter result. Would this cause rust?

Thanks.
 
Yes and Yes.

However there is little abrasion on the tang since it is covered, this means that any protectant applied will stay for a long time. Apply a liberal quantity of such before wrapping.

-Cliff
 
The paracord can trap your bodily fluids and through evaporation concentrate any of the non-volatile constiuents (e.g. salt). This can cause corrosion depending upon your sweat and steel composition. On a neck knive I have you can see the sweat deposits in the cracks of the paracord. However, my knife is parkerized and has never shown any actual rust of the steel. Since the blade is 1095 I'm pretty sure there would be rust if the steel wasn't protected. The same however might not be true with a high chromium polished stainless steel blade.
 
From the FAQ of the web site for the knife-gods at Strider...

"How do I protect the steel underneath the cord-wrapped handle on my Strider from the elements; moisture, sweat, smog ....., blood?


Before we wrap the handles, we will apply an excellent corrosion inhibitor. As a result, the handles rarely develop corrosion under the wrapping - even under the most extreme conditions.
At home, I've had one out on the balcony for over a year, (I live right on the pacific) and no corrosion is evident under the wrap. The blade looks like crap, but the handle is fine."
 
we epoxy the heck out of any wrap we do. epoxy the tang, epoxy over the wrap, I don't think much is getting in there.
 
I epoxy soak the wrap jobs I do on handles. I thin the epoxy with acetone to help it really soak in deeply. This method has really made some of my wrap jobs strong and attractive. Go slowly on the soaking, as too much can look a little too glossy and sort of cheap. If you stop at just the right time you have a great looking and protective wrap job. If you don't like the job, let it set up and cut it off and start again. ;) Have fun!
 
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