Is this rust on my m4 DLC Delica?

R

Riplesnifer

Joined
Dec 2, 2022
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Hello all. I grabbed my DLC m4 Delica for edc today after not having used it for a while. When I looked at the blade, I noticed lots of gunk or rust on it. Additionally, the spider had a couple bits of rust on it. Most recently, I remember cutting green onions with it, if that could have done anything to the blade. I live in a relatively dry climate (Boise area, Idaho), so humidity is probably not the cause, but it could be. Is this rust or is this something else? And if it is rust, how would you recommend getting rust of of the edge of a knife? Thanks!
https://imgur.com/a/GmxwSQa
 
Onions will do it.
As for the rust a few sharpenings and it'll be gone, nothing to really worry about.
Key thing is to not do anything too drastic to try to remove the rust, usually ends with damage elsewhere, like the dlc, and that can't be fixed.
But some WD-40 or equivalent on a rag will remove some of the surface rust on the spider. Then clean it well and apply some food safe lubricant like mineral oil. It is not a stainless steel and it needs something to keep the rust away.
 
Rub it off by slicing into some pine board. M4 will stain and if it stays humid. Red rust will form.


Pine board will take it off. If you feel adventurous, smear the edge with yellow mustard and leave it overnight.


My para 2 is uncoated in M4. Turns grey over time.
 
Grasshopperglock said:
Rub it off by slicing into some pine board. M4 will stain and if it stays humid. Red rust will form.


Pine board will take it off. If you feel adventurous, smear the edge with yellow mustard and leave it overnight.


My para 2 is uncoated in M4. Turns grey over time.
Click to expand...
Does a forced patina on the edge affect a blades cutting performance and would it come off after sharpening?
 
Don't be afraid of mustard on M4.


This knife has had three different treatments. Yellow mustard, brown mustard, and yellow mustard with apple cider vinegar added. It's tough. It's rather difficult to get it to actually rust. Make sure to wipe the blade off at the end of the day. Pocket sweat= salt water.


 
Grasshopperglock said:
Don't be afraid of mustard on M4.


This knife has had three different treatments. Yellow mustard, brown mustard, and yellow mustard with apple cider vinegar added. It's tough. It's rather difficult to get it to actually rust. Make sure to wipe the blade off at the end of the day. Pocket sweat= salt water.


Click to expand...
I love the look of that! Did you smear the drops of mustard down the blade intentionally to create the pattern (as much as you can call it that)?
 
Riplesnifer said:
I love the look of that! Did you smear the drops of mustard down the blade intentionally to create the pattern (as much as you can call it that)?
Click to expand...


Squirt a line of mustard of about an inch. Then use one of those soft silicon spatulas to wipe it out from the line into a flame pattern. Leave it for at least 12 hours. Until the mustard dries up. Then scrub it off under the kitchen faucet using dish soap and a toothbrush.

The very first treatment sets the pattern.

Before you apply the mustard. Clean the blade with acetone. You want clean bare metal before the treatment. Soap and water won't do. Acetone.
 
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