Corrosion resistance...

B

brvheart

Joined
Oct 13, 2014
Messages
194
Hey there everyone - I will preface with I am new, and typically have chosen Spyderco's as EDC or just knife of choice in general. I have always wanted the CQC-7 and was wondering the resistance to rain, snow etc. If I am going to be in elements now I choose the Salt line from my Spyderco, was not sure if Emerson had a comparable product where resistance to elements is concerned?
 
Welcome to the addiction brave one; I don't think you will have any problems with 154CM, which is the American version of ATS-34 which Hitachi copied from Crucible, and it is what Emerson uses in all their models, as far as I know, 154CM has been proven in the toughest of environments and while it might not be anything as fancy as H1 regarding rust proof, I doubt it will rust on you. That said, I wouldn't leave it stuck in snow or salt water, and still wipe it dry and keep it lightly lubed just in case; the bottom line being all steels can rust depending on many variables.

I am sure the older users and Emerson hard core users can tell you more about it, but this steel has a high content of chromium, making it a true stainless steel; As I understand H1 has nitrogen instead of carbon thus it's high resistance to rust from salt water, but it can still oxidize chemically, and I think also by extreme heat. I'm not a metallurgist and have limited knowledge about steels composition, but I wouldn't worry about rust too much. In my limited experience, 154CM is an excellent choice, and heat treated the Emerson way is very tough, but easy to sharpen. I have left my Horseman outside for a few days, (I forgot it) and didn't see any rust on it, I live right next to the ocean so there is a lot of humidity at night, of course I had treated the blade with frog lube but my point is that I haven't had any problems with my Emersons; I hope this helps, im sure other guys will chime in with their views but you can always go to their website and look under "get to know your knife", it basically says what I'm saying but in a better way.

Anyway, welcome and good luck; you'll love your knife, that I know.
 
As a fellow Emerson loving brother above pointed out Emerson uses 154cm on all it's knives except for the Cqc-7 flipper which is S35vn IIRC. So there's not really a "line" devoted to that specific purpose. That being said I highly encourage you to try a Cqc-7 and read around here on advice for keeping it rust free.

I'm less versed in steel composition and breaking down the elements in 154cm however I will say that I live in Oregon and therefore noticed some of my blades (at the time my Cqc-7) developing small spots here and there after being on me for more than 2-3 days at a time. I looked around and stumbled across a thread here to which I will try to find a link, but from it I found EEZOX. Since then I generally clean my blades with it at some point and it definitely keeps the spots from forming. It cleans the blade and (as far as it says) is food safe, as well as a lube and rust protector. It's worked wonders for me and as an added bonus even smells nice haha. :P

LINKS:

Here's my original thread I had made asking about rust protection: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...tz-Froglube-or-Tuf-Glide-Cloth?highlight=rust

Here's the recommended informative threads regarding rust protection

1: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/993968-a-little-rust-prevention-test

2:http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-a-not-so-little-rust-prevention-test-round-2
 
Thank you both for the informative post! Man you Emerson guys are alright :)

I might start looking on the sale forum for a pre-loved one sooner rather than later...
 
Anything will rust or corrode if exposed to salt water, certain chemicals. If you are living near salt weather rinse your knife off with warm and let dry. Then apply a good gun lube like CLP, Frog Lube or any good quality lube.


I live in the desert and a couple of time a year I just run hot water from the sink into and all over my knife. During summer months it is easy to dry the knife out real good by setting in on to of something out side when it is over 110. You will know the knife is completely dry when it is to hot to pick up in your bare hand.
 
Every knut needs one rustfree knife in their collection.
This is why I asked Reese Weiland to make me a Ti blade for my CQC7.
 
I live in Florida, really close to Daytona Beach so a lot of salt in the air, but I've never had a problem with any Emerson. I also own several of the Salt line, and when I'm at the beach I take one of those, but I carry an Emerson about everyday. I use A LOT of WD40 at my job and sometimes just spray a knife down(pivot area) with that. Keep it oiled if you're worried
 
Riley12 said:
I live in Florida, really close to Daytona Beach so a lot of salt in the air, but I've never had a problem with any Emerson. I also own several of the Salt line, and when I'm at the beach I take one of those, but I carry an Emerson about everyday. I use A LOT of WD40 at my job and sometimes just spray a knife down(pivot area) with that. Keep it oiled if you're worried
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Your stuff lasts because you care for it like it cost real dollars. I use to pickup cars with civil papers, a badge & gun in the neighborhood of So. LA, CA. It was always amazing to pickup a car with less than 12,000. Less than two years old that some dead beat used as collateral on a personal loan with the old HFC (household fiance co.). Car was trashed, and some times we call a tow truck because that were just nasty inside.
 
Lycosa said:
Every knut needs one rustfree knife in their collection.
This is why I asked Reese Weiland to make me a Ti blade for my CQC7.
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That's very interesting, never heard of a titanium blade; you mind sharing a link?

mrnotsam123 said:
As a fellow Emerson loving brother above pointed out Emerson uses 154cm on all it's knives except for the Cqc-7 flipper which is S35vn IIRC. So there's not really a "line" devoted to that specific purpose. That being said I highly encourage you to try a Cqc-7 and read around here on advice for keeping it rust free.
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Thanks for the compliment, and correction, I forgot about the flipper with S35VN; you're so right! And thanks for the links; I shall read those threads too.

brvheart said:
Thank you both for the informative post! Man you Emerson guys are alright :)

I might start looking on the sale forum for a pre-loved one sooner rather than later...
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You're welcome Brave Heart; yeah there are some very cool dudes around here, actually in all the forum in general; nice quality guys helping each other out; it's a beautiful thing :)

Akapennypincher said:
Your stuff lasts because you care for it like it cost real dollars. I use to pickup cars with civil papers, a badge & gun in the neighborhood of So. LA, CA. It was always amazing to pickup a car with less than 12,000. Less than two years old that some dead beat used as collateral on a personal loan with the old HFC (household fiance co.). Car was trashed, and some times we call a tow truck because that were just nasty inside.
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You're absolutely correct in your assessment; some people have an entitlement mentality in our society; sadly I see this scenario more and more with young people lately, of course not all of them; my dad used to say to me when I was a teenager ( a long time ago): 'son, if you want to know the character of a man, a good indication that he cares is by the way he takes care of his car, and if his shoes are polished'; I grew up and worked in an area of a huge city where everybody wore a suit to work, and he was right. We take care of our stuff because we worked hard to get it. [emoji106]🏻
 
Just use, common sense. The only time I had a rust problem was when I had some knives in storage but that was my fault too. Improper storage.
 
I also live in florida and if you do not take care of your steel it will rust here. Stainless or not. So rinse with fresh water and wipe dry and you are good.

H1 will not rust. ive had it at the beach and out in the water both gulf atlantic side and atlantic side. ..not rinsed for days.....no rust. Ive had it in sulphur swamp water for weeks not rinsed and cared for.....no rust. Ive used it around nasty acidic chemicals and conditions and.....yep.....no rust. It doesn't hold an edge well and rolls easily so its use is limited imho.

154cm will rust in those conditions. Take care of it and you are good. When your done rinse in clean water and soap if needed. Dry throughly and blow out the pivot dry and wd40 water displacement type product. Coating the blade with oil i find a hinderance and doesnt last long when using. Same with other products that arent oils. I use wax now and have had far better results. That said i rarely use it...just take care of your knives and you are good. Ive used emersons in horrible environmental conditions that most folks in many of the other states dont ever see cause they dont exist there. They've done fine, even abusing them a bit. We all often worry too much about wear and rust. Use your knives if they fail, and they wont, grab another out of your collection and use it.
 
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