Help with rust on a new knife?

sph3ric pyramid

sph3ric pyramid

Joined
Jul 24, 2002
Messages
861
Originally posted in the Outdoor Edge forum:

Agh, something just erased everything I just wrote...oh well.

Anyway, I got my Magna (aluminum scales) that I ordered today, and I love it so far. But I need some help with a problem that cropped up.

At first there was a bunch of black stuff near the pivot, so I decided to clean up the knife a little, and meticulously followed the instructions for cleaning included with the knife (only my second knife, so...).

So basically I followed each step word for word, and when I was finished drying with a hair dryer (cleaning took around 5 min.), I started to coat the blade with some protectant. This is when I noticed large spots of rust inside of the handle. Keep in mind I had only opened the box around 5 hours before at this point. I was very surprised, and tried to scrub off the rust with a rag I had on hand. It didn't really come off all that well, and then I noticed that there was rust inside of the groove that's inside of the handle (couldn't reach it, so can't clean it at the moment.)

Not knowing much about knives, my obvious question is: Is this normal? Can rust form in such a short time (within 5 min.?!)

Any tips on cleaning out the knife would be well appreciated, as I'm very concerned about the welfare of my knife (maybe more concerned than most; broke student here ).

Thanks!

Oh, and I haven't had any problems doing the same type of cleaning with my other knife, which also has aluminum handles...
Click to expand...
 
Flitz, a rag, and elbow grease have always taken care of my rusting problems. Also, I use Birchwood Casey "Sheath" rust preventive on all the steel parts. I also use Breakfree CLP for the blades at times, but I do not feel it is necessary. Big D1
 
Yes, Flitz works great. If you can't find Flitz then try Brasso.

All these are very mild abrasive polishes.

You can also use a chemical rust remover available at most automotive supply stores or hardware stores. Often labeled automobile rust remover gel.

Make sure you use rubber gloves as it can be irritating if you have sensitive skin, and can stain. Don't leave it on the steel too long as it can discolor the steel through chemical reaction if you leave it on too long. Instead just gently rub the rust spots with a paper towel.
 
Breakfree CLP and Ultra fine (0000) steel wool clean up everything I've ever had, and since they're things I keep around at all times, haven't had to add any polishes to my stocks. But then, I'm a knife user, not collector, so have different ideas about what I should keep around.
 
I would try some flitz, or brasso with a q-tip if its a tight place. Unfortunately knives sometimes come with a little rust. more than likely the knife was rusted before it came to you. remember also stainless means stain-less, not stain proof!!!!
 
Any tips on reaching that "groove" created by the liner in the middle? I've tried using a Q-tip, but it can't reach the inside of that area. I sorta don't want to disassemble the knife because 1) it voids the warranty 2) I don't have the appropriate tools on hand. Thanks all. Also, does surface rust "grow" deeper if you leave it there? And what would be an acceptable amount of rust on a new knife for you? It seems like the side with the liner on my knife is covered with rust, flecks and patches everywhere.
 
I take a q-tip and pull some of the cotton off the head and use it. also, sometimes I take a wood match and and old t-shirtand take the fabric and strectch it tight over the match and use it to wipe out the inside.

hope this helps :)
 
I couldn’t find what kind of material Outdoor Edge use for Magna liners, brand named manufacturers usually make liners of 420 stainless steel what is really very rust resistant. It shouldn’t rust without quite important reasons.
Especially strange is the fact that the blade doesn’t rust (if I have understood you well) although it stays in the same conditions. It is made of AUS-8 steel what contains more carbon and is hardened to higher RC than liner – so it inherently should be less rust resistant.

IMO the best you could do is to send your Magna to company’s Customer Service, let they inspect what is wrong with your knife. Or at least try to contact them first.
 
Yes. Slow oxidation (rust) will only get worse and eventually leave divots on the surface if you leave it long enough. I think your knife should be okay for the most part since you caught it early.

I am prone to agree with Sergiusz to contact the manufacturer to see if they will repair it.

If not, I think your knife is past the point of a simple rub with Flitz. I suggest going with the automobile chemical rust remover.

Remember to buy rust remover. look for the name "remover" on it. As I said, it's found where they sell automobile products.

I've had to use it on my old Toledo steel bayonet which has a high carbon content and attracts rust. I also used it to remove some surface rust on the inside lip of my motorcycle gas tank. That was two years and the rust hasn't come back.

If you have to disassemble the knife for any reason, make sure you also buy "loctite" or some other fastening adhesive for those torx and allen bolts so they don't unravel easily after you put them back together. If your knife uses pins, or rivets, you're kinda out of luck.

As for the nooks and crannies, have you tried an old toothbrush, or a toothpick?
 
I've looked over the knife more carefully, and it seems that it's just the liner. The liner's rusted over. Tried some abrasive paste, and most of the superficial stuff's come off, but I still can't get at the inside of the liner, etc. even with a very thin wire brush that I made.

It seems like I've had to put too much work into a knife that shouldn't have come the way it did. Bleh.

I've sent Outdoor Edge an e-mail a couple days ago, but no response yet.
 
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