Carothers 3v corrosion resistance

Jbrown250

Jbrown250

Platinum Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2022
Messages
107
Hey everyone, looking at (hopefully) picking up a Carothers basic 5” field knife which comes with their 3V.

I live on Vancouver Island, right on the Pacific Ocean. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with their 3v heat treat/steel properties in regards to corrosion?

I wouldn’t be bringing it in/on the ocean, or cleaning salt water fish etc, but it also won’t be hiding in a safe, but rather with me on coastal hikes, camping etc.

Thanks for reading!
 
Jbrown250 said:
Awesome, thank you for the reply. Exposed blade holds up well with the tumbled finish?
Click to expand...

Is this your first 3V blade?
I don't have Nathan's 3v, but I have Others..... It's pretty darn good at resisting stains and rust on the blade. Doesn't happen in mine.



You can always paint or grease or epoxy your scales to the tang for more security.

Also if you are overly concerned, Cruwear is better. And then magnacut is even still More stain resistant.
 
Blues said:
Larrin has reported in the past that CPM 3V was ever so slightly more corrosion resistant than CPM Cru-Wear.

(I remember this because I had also thought that Cru-Wear was the more resistant.)
Click to expand...

That's Crazy, Really? Wow..... I believe it coming from you, and he, but Wow.

Regardless, all three are very resistant. Especially not in the salt water.


Heck, I'm perfectly fine with A2 & D2 corrosion wise
 
Smithhammer said:
I've found D3V to be quite corrosion-resistant, short of being truly neglected.

I periodically remove the scales and give them a wipe down with Ballistol. Takes all of about 2 minutes.
Click to expand...
I'd agree with this. I do have rust under my dek 1 handles and I never neglected it though. Not terrible or a big issue but it does happen.
 
Crag the Brewer said:
That's Crazy, Really? Wow..... I believe it coming from you, and he, but Wow.

Regardless, all three are very resistant. Especially not in the salt water.


Heck, I'm perfectly fine with A2 & D2 corrosion wise
Click to expand...
CPM CruWear and CPM 3V are very similar apart from carbon content. Higher carbon usually means lower corrosion resistance. CPM CruWear has chromium carbides in the heat treated condition and 3V does not. Though if 3V was given a high temper and the CruWear the low temper, it would flip.
 
Wow, thank you for all the feedback. Even brought in the heavy guns to help provide info!

I have owned cruwear, but not 3v. Sounds like as long as I care for it I will be fine.

Thanks again everyone, like always the knowledge on these forums is appreciated
 
Like others said, D3v is almost stainless, just put some mineral oil or obenaufs under the scales and you should be good. Nathan's heat treat keeps more chromium in solution so it resists Corrosion well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top