Holy crap what's going on!? Rust in my collection!?

GhostAlpha0

GhostAlpha0

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Apr 9, 2014
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So I pulled my ZT 0350SWCF out of my pelican case to admire the carbon fiber and I noticed the discoloration on the frame liner. I added this knife to my collection on 10/16 so I haven't even had it for two weeks. Needless to say I completely freaked out and thought that there was moisture in the case (and am still freaking out) but this makes no sense. I live in Colorado where its very dry, I have at least 10 silica gel packs inside the case, and I keep the case closed and locked in my bedroom. I inspected every single knife in the case and everything seems perfect but I'm still pretty worried about this. How could this have happened? Is there any possibility that it would have come like this or was predisposed to this?





I've ordered some more desiccant packs to replace the ones I have in there since I was just using the ones that came with my ZT knives. Also how can I clean this puppy up? I was going to take off the scales and try to polish up the liner. Does that sound right?
 
Acids from sweat and oils on your skin. Buff it out with a polish and wear gloves.
 
I've always heard that you are not supposed to store guns/knives in airtight containers so that moisture will not be trapped.
 
The foam lined hard cases are not good for long term storage as they hold moisture. That's at least what I've learned with storing rifles, the cases should be used for transport only. You haven't had a problem yet though, maybe it was just a fluke since it was only the one knife.
 
I keep mine in a gun safe, with a rechargeable Remington dehumidifier. So far the combo of air and dehumidifier and oiling on a regular basis has protected everything.

Keeping them in an air tight case like everyone has said is a bad idea.
 
Even if you oil it then put it away in your case you can get oxidization if the salts or corrosive stuff wasn't removed before the oil was put on, before you put it away. Finger prints and palm prints can be enough. If you think that's bad you should see what amounts to an expensive collector blued gun with a finger print etched into the bluing overnight. It has nothing to do with defects, bad heat treats and things like that. It's just the way the universe works.

Before I put away nice stuff I clean them ( get any corrosive stuff off). then silicone or renn wax them. Either way it's an airtight seal I'm looking for. I've never bothered with desiccants and feel they are unnecessary when items are cleaned up and stored properly.

One time I bought a Strider Dwyer custom in Rex 20 ( M62) and it came to me with one finger print etched into the blade near the thumbstud. I had to remove the oil, remove the rust, clean, silicone and etc. That was some rusty steel. Woirse than Super blue and 1095 by a long shot. Like roughly finished Hitachi white steel which is rusty even by my standards.
 
Thanks for the info. I hadn't thought about a lot of this.

I really like he pelican case storage system and I did consider the possibility of trapping moisture inside but I was hoping that the silica gel and the fact that I live in a real dry climate would nullify that possibility. I'll be more careful about wiping them down after handling them and maybe start thinking about a different storage solution.
 
Metalophilic treatment will eliminate surface rust, whether from area condition or hand acid. It has metal seeking property, will penetrate moisture to get onto metal to protect.

I live in the middle of the Pacific and I have very clammy hands, combination is disaster for carbon steel. I came across and bought a bottle of Metalophilic from Beeman, back when I first got into air gun.

Very simple process, reasonably clean surface to be treated, then apply Metalophilic sparingly to coat surface and let dry. After, I can shoot my guns, without cleaning handled metal surface, just put in away, come back to it after months later, metal surface will still be pristine and rust free. I can not see finger prints if touching treated surface. After I treated my Randall made knife, I can confidently put it back into it sheath without fear.

The problem is evaporation with silicone contained in cloth and greasy mass wiping down with oil, I never could be sure. Unless I packed my toys with grease and wrapped it with wax paper, but then, where is the fun!?

Life after Metalophilic, now I am free from rust. :)
 
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