CPM M4 and Rust problems

M

Mrbladedude

Joined
Aug 2, 2010
Messages
756
Hi all. I have a rust issue with my Spyderco Mule in CPM M4. Underneath the handle slabs there is red and brown rust forming. I put a patina on the blade last night and rinsed the knife off with water to get the mustard off. It obviously went underneath the handle slabs. So now I have rust forming. I am looking for a way to deal with this situation. I am going to put a patina on the handle tonight but I was wondering if there was anything else I could do to further prevent the rust issue? Like something I can spray on or coat it in. I wont be changing my G10 handle scales as I have already spent enough money on this knife.

Any Ideas?

DSCF0813.jpg


DSCF0811.jpg
 
Personally I wouldn't worry about it. But if you want, take steel wool or scotch bright pad to take the rust bloom off then put on a very thin coat of epoxy on it (under the handle only).

Other solutions would be to add frequent coats of oil or grease under the handles.

Honestly I would not sweat it though. Once you get a good patina it should not rust that much.
 
warm vinegar can remove thin rust, and help towards that patina. Use the steel wool or scotch brite pad with the vinegar.
 
and apply a layer of thick grease before assembling the scales. remove the excess and reapply periodicaly. the grease should stay there for a while though ... just make sure there is no rust left before sealing with grease.
 
You need to keep the entire blade clean and dry after you use it. Your best hope as mentioned is to force a patina. Warm vinegar or mustard would work. It will turn the steel a dark gray color, but it will slow the rusting and require much less care.
 
smear vaseline all over the tang before you put the scales back on.

p.s. if you want to remove the rust, use either steel wool or a scotch brite pad.
 
I use mineral oil, not sure it is the best choice but it is food safe, and fine grit sand paper to get ride of rust. To keep it off I use regular cleaning and oiling. Rust drives me insane.
 
for about the last 5-6 weeks, i have been using a 3-1 mixture of beeswax and mineral oil (melted, mixed and hardened into a block) to coat my M4. so far it's working good. when i bolt G10 scales (that i have to order) on my 52100 spyderco mule, i will smear a heavy coat of vaseline all over the tang to weather proof it. then i'll use my beeswax/mineral oil mixture to coat the blade.
 
If you like the scales, I would do a really good job of stripping the rust, then reassemble with a very generous helping of epoxy. You'll never get the scales off again, but you won't have to worry about rust ever again.
 
Why do not glue slabs with epoxy? This is what I do and never have any problem like this.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top