kershaw skyline issue

T

tacovic

Joined
May 23, 2010
Messages
2
just picked up this knife yesterday. I really love the design, opening mechanism, sharpness, and grip. however i was looking at the blade today and it looks as though there are tiny rust spots appearing. is this normal? what can i do about this? i bought the knife to last me a long time, not rust out in a year.
 
I've had this happen to a different knife (S30V), but not with the skyline. I've heard you can clean those off with a pencil eraser but I can't vouch for that and it sounds like a joke story. There are some cleaners for rust but I'm not sure about brands in your area. After you've cleaned them off whatever way you chose, oil it a bit periodically.
 
thats odd, ive have a spyderco Tenacious that i have used very heavily for a year and i just recently had a tiny spec of rust on it that came right off with cleaning. All my kershaws have also been used heavily and never rust. if you just got it, get the recept and return it.
 
yeah that happens to my knives in 13C26/14C28N. try some flitz metal polish to take them out. and then use some sort of rust inhibitor in the future.
 
gundude73 said:
yeah that happens to my knives in 13C26/14C28N. try some flitz metal polish to take them out. and then use some sort of rust inhibitor in the future.
Click to expand...

is that a type of steel? sorry im new to the whole knife world. is that what my knife is made of?
 
tacovic said:
is that a type of steel? sorry im new to the whole knife world. is that what my knife is made of?
Click to expand...

yes, those are steels. if you look on the back side of your blade it will say the model number, kershaw, and then blade steel. i have more acidic hands, and these steels in my experience can have some surface "rust" on it. i call it "rust" because it looks like it, mostly just on the surface. like i said, use some flitz metal polish to take off the rust, once you have done that, use some sort of rust inhibitor, tuf glide tuf cloth etc. this should prevent your blade from getting these spots.
 
I had a few pin prick size surface rust spots on one of my Kershaws one time. I put a dab of simichrome (metal polish) on the blade and polished the blade in a circular motion for just about 5 min. It got rid of all the spots immediately and left it with a little smoother finish, just enough so that I've never got another spot of corrosion on it again, and I have never oiled that blade. I am a firm believer in buffing any blade that has corrosion issues. It doesn't take much and it makes a world of a difference.
 
A scotchbrite pad and 5 minutes is all you need. I just use the kitchen sponge with the green backing. Stops most rust spots for good on 13c26.
 
Why in the world would/should Kershaw replace a knife that has been used a gotten a couple specks of rust? What a disposable world we live in...

Kershaw bead blasts a lot of their blades which can leave a rougher surface on a microscopic level. Rust likes a rough spot to attach and start at so the bead blasted blades are more prone to rust given the chance. Salt air, moisture, and acidic foods can all help start the process. But as has been said rubbing it down with a very mild abrasive like a pencil eraser or Flitz will remove the small rust specks. As also mentioned, rubbing the whole blade down with Flitz or some type of metal polish (auto parts stores sell stuff for cleaning rims) will smooth the finish just enough to make it harder for rust to start but not really enough to change the look. A rust inhibitor like a little bit of mineral oil (which is food safe) will help but unless you just don't take care of it at all it will just remain a cosmetic blemish and won't deteriorate in front of your eyes. Cutting stuff will actually help remove it as well.
 
presz said:
A scotchbrite pad and 5 minutes is all you need. I just use the kitchen sponge with the green backing. Stops most rust spots for good on 13c26.
Click to expand...

You might want to be careful with this unless you don't care about changing the look of the blade finish. Scotchbrite pads are a lot more abrasive than the previously mentioned methods.
 
I thought he said that he just picked it up yesterday? If so and it was mine, it would go back.
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
You might want to be careful with this unless you don't care about changing the look of the blade finish. Scotchbrite pads are a lot more abrasive than the previously mentioned methods.
Click to expand...

It will change the look of the blade but on a $30 user that's what I do. Sctchbrite pads give it a kind of satin finish, which I like. I've tried Mag wheel polish also. It works, just took a lot more time and elbow grease.

It must be an older Skyline with 13C26. The newer ones with 14C28N don't rust spot for me.
 
Mine did that too. A couple days after pocket carry. It's not necessarily the steel. It's kershaws bead blast finish. Thats why I dont buy kershaws with that finish.
 
It is the combination of the bead blast finish and the older 13c26 that sometimes cause a few tiny spots of rust. As a whole the issue has been blown way out of proportion in the past and has unfortunately been beat like a dead horse. No one should be turned away from Kershaw products just because of the bead blast finish they like to use. If one deminstrates just a tiny bit of precaution ie. wiping their blade after use, than it should not be a problem at all. Even if you do get a few spots they can easily be taken care of in a couple minutes using the above techniques. Also their newer Sandvik 14c28n replaces some of the carbon with nitrogen in order to get greater corrosion resistance. The steel also has a higher RC rating so its a major win win situation.

I did notice in Kershaws new catalog that they seem to be listening to these concerns though and are making most of their higher end knives with satin finished blades this year.
 
gundude73 said:
yeah that happens to my knives in 13C26/14C28N. try some flitz metal polish to take them out. and then use some sort of rust inhibitor in the future.
Click to expand...

+1 Flitz to remove it, then a Tuf Cloth or Tuf Glide to protect it:thumbup: Not a big deal really.
 
I did notice in Kershaws new catalog that they seem to be listening to these concerns though and are making most of their higher end knives with satin finished blades this year.[/QUOTE]

I noticed that also, hope it happens. The Skyline is also listed as "Stonewashed" but never happened. I wish they would correct the web site to read "bead blasted finish".
http://www.kershawknives.com/productdetails.php?id=430&brand=kershaw

I love the look of this one.:D
http://www.kershawknives.com/productdetails.php?id=529&brand=kershaw
 
Last edited:
Barkeepers friend with some water, best stuff ever for rust spots. Have the same issue with my M-21 CRKT.
 
udtjim said:
Send it back, I bet they will fix or replace it.
Click to expand...

Not necessary.

The main reason these knives 'rust' so easy is solely because of the beadblast.
Polish the beadblast off with VF steel wool and flitz and your problem will disappear for good , unless you leave it sitting in a bucket of water :)


Tostig
 
One simple solution for a lifetime of enjoyment: At least twice a year clean blade with "gunzilla"; best c-l-p (cleaner lubricant protector) in the market in mho. You'll never have to worry about rust again. It removes any rust spots effortlessly (as in seconds) as well as coating metals with a dry microfilm that it's rust and dust repellent/resistant.

Ps: If you take the knife to the beach or cut sappy woods with it, of course re oil the blades, duh!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top