Case Sowbelly Corrosion issue

C

caseusa

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Mar 25, 2016
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I recently purchase a CaseXX Sowbelly from a seller on eBay. Ever since I got it I have been religiously wiping the blades with vasoline to keep them from rusting. The blades are made out of chrome vanadium. After a week of very light use I noticed dark spots appearing, mainly in parts of the blade that I touched to most when opening and closing.:eek: Is this rust or is it a patina? I am pretty sure its rust but I don't want to believe myself.

If it is, how can I get rid of it? Also, what can I do to prevent this? My friend has a Case Mini Trapper and under the same conditions his has not rusted. His is CV also. What am I doing wrong? In the pics I was trying to put a forced patina on the sheepsfoot so it looks worse:p
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0dy4wiz6PlUNlJtLS1PMmYyNjA/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0dy4wiz6PlUWUpnMC1yTzJKN2s/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0dy4wiz6PlUZHZKUGd5ejNHR2M/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0dy4wiz6PlUMHpyVjJzZEM1b3M/view?usp=sharing
 
Is this rust or is it a patina?
Click to expand...
It's both. It is "patina", but "patina" is a form of rust.

"Rust" is actually the reaction product of iron with moisture and oxygen. But Iron Oxide can have many colors. Color depends on the exact form of iron oxide, which depends on the conditions under which the reaction took place.

What is commonly termed "patina"is actually black oxide, a less aggressive form of rust. The black oxide is not terribly protective in and of itself. But it is somewhat porous and will retain oil more easily. The oil then forms a barrier to moisture and oxygen and will protect the blade from the dreaded "red rust".

Lots of folks dip their blade in vinegar or stick it in a potato or such, then clean it dry it and oil it. Then they just oil it once a week or so.

I've heard some folks who just want shiny steel wax the blades or use clear lacquer on them. Never tried it, myself.

Personally, I oil the blades with mineral oil, and allow the black spots to form. Eventually they more or less merge.
 
Clean the Blades, dip the blades in Vinegar let set an hour and wipe it off and oil the blades.
 
CV develops patina. Mother's Mag Polish and a soft cloth will remove it. A light coating of mineral oil helps prevent it. If you want to avoid patina completely, buy SS knives instead.
 
Case's CV spots pretty easily, especially in humid conditions. An individual's own body chemistry can make a big difference too, in handling them and carrying them in-pocket. Sometimes the spots are a mix of red rust (destructive; causes pitting) and black oxide (harmless). The red rust sometimes tends to hide within the spots of the black oxide. To reveal which type is there, rub the spots with a white pencil eraser. If red rust is there, you'll see some reddish/brownish staining on the eraser. If it's just black oxide 'patina', you'll likely not see much come off onto the eraser.

Scrubbing the blade with a paste of baking soda & water will scrub the red rust off. Forcing a patina with vinegar or vinegar & hot water can slow the occurrance of rust a bit. You could also just polish the CV blade with Flitz/Simichrome, to keep both the red rust and the patina at bay. Not bulletproof, but it helps a bit. Oiling the blade would be a good idea, in addition to keeping it clean & dry as possible.


David
 
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I've had a Case stockman rust very quickly while working hard on a hot day. there are a lot of factors that can go into a knife rusting or not. I would suggest that an oil based corrosion inhibitor would be a better choice than vasiline, since it won't really flow down into and displace moisture. To get a good even patina, you need clean, bare steel, so a good cleaning will help even that process out. but any patina will have an "organic" look to it, so that is something to consider.

Personally, I no longer carry my CV stockman as a general carry, and only carry stainless knives, in your case an SS version will be much easier maintenance.
 
knarfeng said:
It's both. It is "patina", but "patina" is a form of rust.

"Rust" is actually the reaction product of iron with moisture and oxygen. But Iron Oxide can have many colors. Color depends on the exact form of iron oxide, which depends on the conditions under which the reaction took place.

What is commonly termed "patina"is actually black oxide, a less aggressive form of rust. The black oxide is not terribly protective in and of itself. But it is somewhat porous and will retain oil more easily. The oil then forms a barrier to moisture and oxygen and will protect the blade from the dreaded "red rust".

Lots of folks dip their blade in vinegar or stick it in a potato or such, then clean it dry it and oil it. Then they just oil it once a week or so.

I've heard some folks who just want shiny steel wax the blades or use clear lacquer on them. Never tried it, myself.

Personally, I oil the blades with mineral oil, and allow the black spots to form. Eventually they more or less merge.
Click to expand...

+1. Well stated.
 
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