Well Ive seen the posts of stainless vs. high carbon and this one is to just provide some personal experience with high carbon steel knives that I have owned and didnt care for and how they fared.
I bought a Mercator Cat knife in 1980 and I blued it and added a coat of oil around 82 or so. I was a young lad and was pretty ignorant about steels and care. Anyhow this was an EDC for many years and eventually ended up in my toolbox and was used to cut everything from roots to rope. This knife was only sharpened and never saw surface care or oil again. Well let me say that the blade is still in great shape, it was just discoloured with no rust or pitting and I recently cleaned the blade and oiled it. The knife holds a real nice edge. The only thing that sucks is the handle, the paint wears off and the handle rusts, otherwise... A brass handle would be cool .
In addition, I own a British Clasp knife with the sheeps foot blade, black check handles and the marlin spike which Ive had for more than 20 years. This folder is made entirely out of high carbon and it was never oiled and was stored more than used. Anyhow this knife took a little rubbing to remove minor spot rust and the thing looks brand new again and received its first coat of oil.
Climate plays a big part in corrosion and these knives have lived in: Northern Ontario, Toronto, Vancouver and now Calgary.. So you see theyve had their fair share of humidity and I realize these locations are not in the jungle but Torontos summer humidity is pretty close..
So, with little to no care, high carbon blades will outlast you and still look great provided you are not saltwater diving with them. And personally I like things that age, gives them character. I have just received an 01 Randall #5 but it will be properly cared for.
Cheers.
I bought a Mercator Cat knife in 1980 and I blued it and added a coat of oil around 82 or so. I was a young lad and was pretty ignorant about steels and care. Anyhow this was an EDC for many years and eventually ended up in my toolbox and was used to cut everything from roots to rope. This knife was only sharpened and never saw surface care or oil again. Well let me say that the blade is still in great shape, it was just discoloured with no rust or pitting and I recently cleaned the blade and oiled it. The knife holds a real nice edge. The only thing that sucks is the handle, the paint wears off and the handle rusts, otherwise... A brass handle would be cool .
In addition, I own a British Clasp knife with the sheeps foot blade, black check handles and the marlin spike which Ive had for more than 20 years. This folder is made entirely out of high carbon and it was never oiled and was stored more than used. Anyhow this knife took a little rubbing to remove minor spot rust and the thing looks brand new again and received its first coat of oil.
Climate plays a big part in corrosion and these knives have lived in: Northern Ontario, Toronto, Vancouver and now Calgary.. So you see theyve had their fair share of humidity and I realize these locations are not in the jungle but Torontos summer humidity is pretty close..
So, with little to no care, high carbon blades will outlast you and still look great provided you are not saltwater diving with them. And personally I like things that age, gives them character. I have just received an 01 Randall #5 but it will be properly cared for.
Cheers.
