Cold Steel Tai Pan - should I oil it?

SaintWarrior

SaintWarrior

Joined
Aug 13, 2011
Messages
68
Hello guys,

I have just received my Cold Steel Tai Pan and I just cannot express how happy I am with this knife. Can anybody give me a piece of advice how to care after it's VG-1 San Mai III blade? Can I oil it with gun oil?

The matter is that this knife comes stored in it's leather sheath and I would like to ask if any extra care for storage is needed.

Thanks.
 
Considering it's stainless and the outside layers of the san mai being especially rust resistant I doubt you would have to worry too much.I would probably give it a light coat of oil myself just in case. Leather can store moisture, be aware of that. I always wanted a tai pan or a black bear classic but have never pulled the trigger.Also, any pics?
 
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Here it is. I am sorry for the quality of the photos. The knife comes in such packaging stored in the leather sheath and wrapped in a plastic bubble bag. All Japan made (Japan stamps everywhere). Razor sharp out of the box (like a good new Gillette razor), three layers of steel are clearly visible if looking close at the blade, non-slippery Kraton handle, perfect balance. The knife costs about 400 bucks here in Europe but what I have to say - this is the first knife I buy that is worth every cent of the money. Highly recommended, I have a Boker Applegate-Fairbairn Combat II either but that one is really blunt out of box compared to how sharp the Tai Pan is.
 
Very nice! Oil will work just fine. Personally, I prefer using a Tuf Cloth, as it doesn't collect dust like oil does.
 
Well, in general I am oiling every knife after collecting it from the mail delivery office. I clean the blade and all metal parts with WD-40, wipe it dry and then apply gun oil on the knife as well as filling some oil into the sheaths (if the knives come without paper blade envelope).

The matter is that I had one Fairbairn Sykes Commando dagger totally destroyed by the rust during a couple of days just because somebody in the mail office left the parcel under the rain and package got wet. That's why I take no more risks with leaving my knives as they are and oil all of them right after delivery.
 
SaintWarrior said:
Well, in general I am oiling every knife after collecting it from the mail delivery office. I clean the blade and all metal parts with WD-40, wipe it dry and then apply gun oil on the knife as well as filling some oil into the sheaths (if the knives come without paper blade envelope).

The matter is that I had one Fairbairn Sykes Commando dagger totally destroyed by the rust during a couple of days just because somebody in the mail office left the parcel under the rain and package got wet. That's why I take no more risks with leaving my knives as they are and oil all of them right after delivery.
Click to expand...

What is it a stainless though?
 
No, Fairbairn-Sykes Commando dagger produced by J. Nowill & Sons, Sheffield, UK is not at all stainless steel. It is very high carbon and thus very vulnerable to corrosion. If you don't spot it getting wet or attracting moisture at the right time - there is a serious risk to get the blade destroyed. It will just go all the way with red rust spots and you won't be able to do anything about it. Polishing with WD-40, microfibre cloth - nothing helps. I think all high carbon blades should be treated with the same care to prevent moisture and possible rust.
 
Well, this knife is actually not for real use in my case. Just a collectible dagger being already a fighting knife classic. I have A-F Combat II, Fairbairn-Sykes Commando - I am collecting such classic fighting knives. But Tai Pan is obviously the most powerful among all of them in all aspects, including tip strength, blade thickness and composition, heavy tanto styled handle. :)
 
I had a Cold Steel Trailmaster SanMaiIII, and in 10 years never had any issues with corrosion or rust. The steel is pretty maintenance free, unless you live in a high salt content, humid environment.

The real issue would be storing it in the leather sheath.

Honestly, if it is a collector, I would store it wrapped in soft cloth (or a knife roll). If keeping it pretty is your main concern.
 
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