Does M4 pit when it rusts?

[other memory]

Does M4 pit when it rusts? For instance like 3V? Or would it be more of a surface rust, like 1095 and O1?

 

[K.O.D.]

Huh. I've yet to have M4 rust on me. Interesting topic.

 

[ryanh121]

I haven't had a problem with any of my uncoated M4 blades. If you are concerned, you can force a patina. I did this to my Gayle Bradley.

 

[gooeytek]

Huh. I've yet to have M4 rust on me. Interesting topic.

Same here. My GB Air isn't even developing a patina as quickly as I expected. My GB and M4 Military both have forced patinas though.

 

[spketch]

I was recently asked to clean up the blade on a Spyderco Air that had very stubborn gray patina around the opening hole. It was subtle but quite difficult to polish out. There was also a tiny speck of rust on the blade, less than 1mm across. After cleaning off the rust I found there was a surprisingly deep pit underneath it. No pitting or rust anywhere else, just that tiny spot.

I don't know what was left on the blade to make it happen, but M4 can pit.

 

[other memory]

Yes, M4 can rust. However, how fast and will it pit if maintenance can't be performed in a timely manner? For instance... 3V pits if it rusts. However, it's high chromium content helps retard rust formation long enough to ensure maintenance can be performed in a timely fashion.

It has something to do with how M4's carbide chains react with oxygen.

 

[Jason B.]

If it can rust it can pit, that's just part of the corrosion process.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

If it can rust it can pit, that's just part of the corrosion process.

Yup.

And my Contego is very pitted, but I wanted it that way.

 

[simioh]

Yup.

And my Contego is very pitted, but I wanted it that way.

Got pictures?

 

[Cypress]

Soooo pitted.


[video=youtube_share;hJdF8DJ70Dc]http://youtu.be/hJdF8DJ70Dc[/video]

 

[simioh]

Yup.

And my Contego is very pitted, but I wanted it that way.

I would still like to see pictures of the Contego please.

 

[trevitrace]

Sooo pitted! Oh boy, it is way too early for that.

Soooo pitted.


[video=youtube_share;hJdF8DJ70Dc]http://youtu.be/hJdF8DJ70Dc[/video]

 

[The Mastiff]

I've seen M2 ingot HSS that was pitted but I haven't seen any M4 that had deteriorated that far to be able to tell. It's still fairly new in the knife world and mostly an afi steel. You would probably need to find one that had been lost to fine one that orphaned now.

I had an old M2 saw blade garage made knife I bought used that came pitted. It wasn't rusted as bad on the surface like you see structural steel but had lots of rust spots that were too deep to get out without a complete regrind on both sides losing probably a 32nd of steel total, maybe more. I kept it as is after stopping the rust and sanding the surface by hand a bit and still use it. It cuts great but looks like hell.