How To Clean Small Rust Spots Off of Gerber BMF?

S

Sean K.

Joined
May 4, 2009
Messages
4
This is my first post and I'm hoping you guys can help me out.

My name is Sean King. I live in Mesa, AZ.

I have a Gerber BMF knife (9" blade, no saw back serrations) I bought brand new back in (this is really going to date me) 1988. Back then I was just a teenager, couldn't own a firearm so this was like the ultimate knife for me. It was so nice, I didn't want to use it....so it sat. At the time, I lived in Oklahoma....where there's a lot more humidity.

In any case, I unboxed the knife a few months ago and noticed it had developed very small, hard to notice unless you're really looking rust spots.

Is there anything that can take this off without destroying the finish? I thought about using a CLP, but don't know if that might be a problem.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Sean
 
cutting an onion would clean rust off a carbon steel blade ...
or you could try some rubbing against a leather belt, with some stropping compound
next, keep it oiled wit some wd 40 :D
 
A CLP wont hurt it, if it is applied with a non abrasive cloth, but probably wont take it off either unless it is very light. I would definitely try that first. Sometimes what looks pretty bad comes of, or mostly comes off, just by wiping. If most of it comes off it might be acceptable to you without going on further. Have you already tried wiping it with anything? If not try it with a soft rag and you CLP or about any oil like WD-40, mineral oil, motor oil, even mineral spirits (paint thinner, not an oil, not a protectant).

What kind of finish is on it? It looks like a matt (dull) finish, bead blasted or rough polished to a mat finish. If it requires an abrasive to get the corrosion off, any abrasives not matching the original finish will change it if you care about that and it sounds like you do. If just wiping with a CLP and cloth don't do the job you might try a chemical rust remover like the bathroom ones without rubbing (much), before you go on to abrasives. Spot check first before committing.

If it does require abrasives to get out the corrosion, you might find one that matches the original finish pretty close, like one of the various grits of Scotch Brite. Or you might have to refinish that way to get an even texture (for looks).

For prevention and cleaning, I like Breakfree CLP for protecting guns and knives. I keep a soft cloth the came impregnated with a silicon, like a marine Tuf-cloth, but is now more of a Breakfree cloth.
 
Last edited:
Thanks guys. It's almost a satin type finish.....non-glare, but very smooth. The rust spots look very superficial so I'm hoping your suggestions will take them off.

Again, thanks so much for the help.

I really appreciate it.

Sean
 
Just now saw the post. Glad to help. I use Flitz metal polish. It should work fine, without damaging the finish. Great stuff, could be a little hard to find. Ace Hardware for me, the clerk did not even know they stocked it. So, check Flitz.com and find a dealer near you. It says Wal-Mart, but could not find it there. Mom and Pop Hardware stores would be best first choice. I think others recommend Simichrome, but I have not used that product. A $7 tube of Flitz has cleaned many of my newly acquired carbon slipjoints. Good luck!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top