How do you keep a carbon steel knife oiled in a survival situation?

[Cpl Punishment]

Seriously, I don't want to be the buzz killer here but, who cares about a little rust, tarnish, patina?

Actually, a good point to make is that a lot of us purposely put a patina on carbon blades. it not only looks nice, but will keep serious rust (the nasty flaking iron oxide) from forming.

 

[Guntotin_fool]

carpenters have been rubbing screws and nails on their nose, in their hair etc for years, it works, if your out living on the real edge, you will have nice oily hair in a day or two, use that.

 

[bearthedog]

Actually, a good point to make is that a lot of us purposely put a patina on carbon blades. it not only looks nice, but will keep serious rust (the nasty flaking iron oxide) from forming.

I think we are agreeing on the same issue. I like patina!

 

[Cpl Punishment]

Yep, I meant to agree. :thumbup:

 

[bearthedog]

Yes Cpl we like dirty blades. I might post a picture of a good patina from humid jungle conditions if I can find them.
-RB

 

[bearthedog]

Left out all night in the rain-01

JK Hiker should be black with patina but the nice smooth finish really helped it. This was in the kitchen for a few days and in the jungle one full day in the dirt and cutting vines. Would you believe it is 01?

Breeden Kat in 01

Fowler in 1084

Character and they still cut.
-RB

 

[Cpl Punishment]

Nice!
I usually just do citrus for a while, doesn't take long.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Yes, I see what you all mean. Who makes this one. I like it? Model name?

 

[bearthedog]

Stephan Fowler-Stone Mountain

Compare

 

[j williams]

I like patina. Looks good on a blade IMO. I also like that Fowler. Great blade!!

Ruben, I cant seem to earn a patina for my JK they just dont take. I dont want to purposly do it. I like my scratches and patina to tell a story.

 

[stingray4540]

Just to reiterate what others have said:

Rust is the last thing you will be worried about in a survival situation. I never oil my knives when I'm out using them, I only oil them when I get home and put them away for more than a couple days.

Interesting fact: I work with my dad taping drywall. We use carbon steel taping knives everyday. At the end of the day they are washed in hose water and left in a corner for the next day. When we get to them the next day they are orange with rust, we simply wipe on a pant leg and start working. After 10 years of using the same knife, it is in as good a shape as when I first got it, used. They are less than a 1/4 of a millimeter thick, I mean they are thinner than the cardboard on your cereal box, and very flexible. After 10 years of letting it rust it still is in perfectly working condition. So, I think it's safe to say that it would take centuries of rusting before your 1/8" thick knife will rust to a point that it isn't usable.
Here is a taping knife for those of you who are unfamiliar:

 

[Thomas Linton]

If rust is an issue, antibiotic cream is mostly white petroleum (vasaline) and can serve (and, of course, help start fires).

 

[flashlife]

The short answer: Don't worry about it 'til you're OUT of the emergency situation. Also, don't worry about brushing your teeth or keeping your hair combed.

 

[Loosearrow]

I like the nose oil or ear wax for putting fishing poles together, will work on a knife. I have use a small tin of deer fat rendered from around the kidneys for a lube for blackpowder patches. It has not gone bad for many years just pour it into baby food jars after cooking it very slow to get a clear melt. A small blackpowder cap tin goes a long way. Use it on my knife at times. I suppose you could grease up a stick for fire starting as well. Regards, Loosarrow