Carbon steel rust or corrosion?

[rsngfrce]

I just got a new Marttiini Condor Timberjack and the black portion of the carbon steel blade has a few round circular raised portions that I am wondering if is the beginning of rust or corrosion? I haven't seen anything like this on any of my other carbon steel blades. Should I try to remove this with Flitz or Nevr-Dull, or just oil the blade and leave it be? Thanks!

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I just got a new Marttiini Condor Timberjack and the black portion of the carbon steel blade has a few round circular raised portions that I am wondering if is the beginning of rust or corrosion? I haven't seen anything like this on any of my other carbon steel blades. Should I try to remove this with Flitz or Nevr-Dull, or just oil the blade and leave it be? Thanks!

View attachment 521293

Might just be black oxide, which is harmless. An easy way to tell, is to rub a white pencil eraser on the suspect blemishes. If there's any red rust there, you'll see it on the white eraser (might look brown, as well). If you do see some red/brown, the spots could be cleaned up with some fine steel wool (#0000) and WD-40, or mineral oil. Metal polishes would work also, but they'll leave brighter or shinier spots behind. If you want to maintain the original rougher look & patina (if any), the steel wool & oil/WD-40 would be better for that. A light coat of mineral oil afterwards will help protect it.


David

 

[rsngfrce]

Might just be black oxide, which is harmless. An easy way to tell, is to rub a white pencil eraser on the suspect blemishes. If there's any red rust there, you'll see it on the white eraser (might look brown, as well). If you do see some red/brown, the spots could be cleaned up with some fine steel wool (#0000) and WD-40, or mineral oil. Metal polishes would work also, but they'll leave brighter or shinier spots behind. If you want to maintain the original rougher look & patina (if any), the steel wool & oil/WD-40 would be better for that. A light coat of mineral oil afterwards will help protect it.


David

Thanks for your EXCELLENT reply! :thumbup: I happened to have a white Magic Rub eraser, so I tried rubbing that on the spots and got no red or brown coloration off, so I'll assume it is just the black oxide as you say. I also much appreciate your advice on how to to properly handle it if it WAS rust, as I would not have wanted to create shiny spots on the blade. Thanks again!

 

[Zemapeli]

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ion-and-Removal-of-Rust-Oxidation-and-Pitting
For future reference. :thumbup:
I would use a brass gun brush. If that isn't abrasive enough, buy a brass bristle golf club cleaner like the one here. (With brass bristles - Not from this site, but the picture is a perfect reference)
http://www.dhgate.com/store/product/dual-bristles-golf-club-brush-cleaner-ball/154662145.html

Taking a mason jar and filling it with K1 Kerosene and allowing just the blade to soak for a couple days will loosen that black oxide enough for the brass brushes to remove the heavy black oxides. This method will not remove the texture/finish of the metal for your knife.