I'm back in the saddle again. Awesome EDC, now a question about M4 maintanence.

P2P · Dec 8, 2016

I used to be a frequent visitor here. Its been about 2 years. In my time off I've had a kid, sold my collection, changed "careers", and suddenly...

Christmas comes around the bend. I am a working musician and couldn't think of anything in my "present for myself" price range in respect to music. I can get a crap piece of music gear, or, a bad mamma jamma knife again. So...

Paramilitary CPM-M4 with clear G10 is on its way. Thanks fellow bladeforumite!

Odds are I won't be able to get another for quite some time. Making the best of my situation. And I will be definitely EDC'ing this one.

Ahhh the Para 2, I know the design well. It suits me.

Now, a question for all you steel gurus.

CPM-M4

How careful do I have to be with it? I don't mind keeping it oiled but.. Can I cut an apple, wipe the blade off on my jeans, throw it in my pocket, and be on my merry way? Or will this cause catastrophic, irreparable, rust pits in a matter of seconds? seriously though. I don't mind some natural patina. I'll actually enjoy the character. This puppy will be cutting up whatever comes my way.

Is it better to force a patina on this blade first? what problems have the M4 folder carriers ran into? I'm looking for a good pocket companion, not a diva that needs daily attention.

Its good to be back. Help a brotha out.

Cheers,
Dalton

symphonyincminor · Dec 9, 2016

First off, congratulations. M4 is a hell of a steel. Easy to touch up if you don't let it go completely dull and holds and incredible edge.

Compared to simple carbon steel like 1095, M4 doesn't take on a patina as easily. I've used it to cut up apples with minimal patina forming. It's not as high-maintenance as it appears to be, especially with the belt-finished satin finish. It's not very susceptible to pitting in the research I've done - more likely to stain than pit. Steels like 3V will sometimes pit instead of taking on a patina (I've had a knife in 3V develop pitting by just sitting in storage with mineral oil on the blade, with absolutely no use).

Keep a drop a oil like Militec or equivalent in the pivot area is the most maintenance I perform on most of my carbon steel knives. Wipe it down with mineral oil (food safe) once in a while, but otherwise, use it and let a natural patina develop. You'll appreciate it much more than forcing one.

steelhead seeker · Dec 9, 2016

I have the Bradley 2 and I had a hell of time trying to force a patina on it. Tried mustard, put in glass of vinegar, left vinegar soaked paper towels on it...and I'm talking 8 hours of each and it's barely stained. No rust. I've oiled it once or twice. It's not as high maintenance as people make it sound. All I heard before trying m4 was you better keep it oiled or it will rust...maybe if you completely neglect it for a long period of time but I wouldn't think twice or worry at all about cutting any food and just giving it a wipe on my jeans and back to the pocket...

P2P · Dec 9, 2016

Thanks guys, exactly what I hoped to hear.

bdmicarta · Dec 10, 2016

P2P said:
CPM-M4 How careful do I have to be with it?

I think keeping it wiped off and dry is the first step.

I like M4 for my use while working around the house, and I rarely have any problem with it, but the biggest problem for me is if I have the knife in my pocket in the summer while I'm sweating a lot.

P2P · Dec 11, 2016

interesting, right on the expose area when closed.

Will you eventually sand down the blade to remove the surface rust?

Seems like there would be no qualms of making that knife a real user now.

bdmicarta · Dec 11, 2016

P2P said:
Will you eventually sand down the blade to remove the surface rust?

Seems like there would be no qualms of making that knife a real user now.

Make no mistake I bought it to be a user. It had the patina when I bought it and the patina hasn't changed much. Working around the house I use it for crude wood carving as much as anything, while I'm doing little carpentry projects.

The rust in that photo came right off with a little metal polish I had previously bought at the auto parts store.

I have a PM2 with M4 steel that I use in my EDC rotation. I cut apples and so forth with it at lunch then wipe it off with a damp cloth before putting it back in my pocket. Maybe some very light hints of patina so far. (This photo was taken a few weeks after the photo above.)

P2P · Dec 11, 2016

Ya, that looks awesome after a little metal polish. thanks for the pics.