ESEE HEST Patina Issue

[tempey]

I have a HEST that I love and carry regularly. The edge has developed what I think is a patina, I am new to carbon steels. The edge looks like the surface of a puddle that has gasoline in it with the rainbow sheen to it. It is also a little darkened. I am wondering if this is something that I can leave until the next time I have to sharpen it or if I need to sharpen it off now. I hate sharpening and the knife doesn't nee to be sharpened, but would rather sharpen it now then have the blade rust on me.

Any info will help, Thank You

 

[A.P.F.]

Oil it and be done. The patina helps to resist rust proper.

 

[Woods Walker]

I don't worry about rust which isn't red. Maybe give the edge a little strop and call it a day.

 

[foxx]

That's normal patina, it will help prevent the orange rust that we all hate. Even if it gets a bit of orange rust, a quick strop on a strop, cardboard, photo printer paper, your pants leg, can remove it.
If you were to strop the edge now, it will remove some or all of that patina, which is also normal. Another thing, say you don't use the knife, and it starts to feel less sharp, that's normal, the patina is a type of corrosion, but can be stropped right back to shaving sharp. Hope that helped.

 

[tempey]

So it wont turn into damaging rust if i leave it?

 

[RevDevil]

So it wont turn into damaging rust if i leave it?

No it won't. As long as you maintain your tools by cleaning them after use it should be perfectly fine. As stated a simple stropping or a rubdown with some oil, even use automotive wax or polish and it will come out. Nothing to be worried or even concerned with.

 

[tempey]

Thanks for the quick response and great advice guys. I can always count on bladeforums to come through for me.