carbon steel knives in the woods..

[GarnetandBlack]

Hey everyone, how do you carry oil or what not for your blades? when I go out I don't like carrying a big bottle of mineral oil in a bag if I go camping of what not..

I don't think there's really a need to bring any oil in the field with you. No need to overly worry about your blade, from my experiences just give it a wipe or two, clean and oil it properly when you get home. Neglectful storage destroys more knives than hard use IMO.

 

[Mannlicher]

in the first place, you don't need a lot of oil. I keep a lightly oiled cloth in a zip lock bag, and use that if a knife needs to be wiped down.

 

[Shotgun]

I don't carry oil in the field either. I have been experimenting with usnea and horsetail as a steel wool alternative to remove rust as it occurs and before it gets to the pitting stage. So far it works like a charm. Sometimes rust just happens and unless it's a food knife I really don't worry about it. They've found 1000 year old blades that have been rusting the whole time and they're still sharp enough that curators have to wear kevlar gloves. IMO the rust issue is way overblown.

 

[CWL]

Oil knives in the field? No reason to hump another item.

Wipe knife after use (you've got pants legs, right?). Clean and touch-up blade back at home.

I use wax on my knives, not oil or grease. Bees wax, Johnson's paste waste, car wax, Renaissance wax, whatever. It stays on and does not migrate like oil will.

 

[Cody777]

If that really worries you, educate yourself on these 2 words: Fluid Film. Seriously, google it & educate yourself. GREAT STUFF.

I second this! This stuff works wonders and it lasts a long time as well. I've tested it on paper clips in strong salt water I mixed. I put some on the paper clip and dropped it in and it lasted for 6 days before finally showing dark patinas. And I let a paperclip sit over night with fluid film on it and it lasted even longer. a must have product for a lot of other uses than knives. Keeps battery terminals from corroding as well.

 

[JNewell]

You'd think that mankind skipped straight from the bronze age to stainless steel???

 

[Dorito Monk]

You'd think that mankind skipped straight from the bronze age to stainless steel???

Haha, really. :thumbup:

It seems like some folks just can't imagine how mankind managed in a world before edge-pro sharpening systems and S30V...

 

[CWL]

You'd think that mankind skipped straight from the bronze age to stainless steel???

Ha! :thumbup:

Overheard in Mesopotamian marketplace 3500BC: "Help! I'm going to collect roots in the woods, what's the BEST way to avoid verdigris on my bronze sickle?"