knife care

[culter]

I've just read with great interest some old threads on Tuff Cloth, White Lightning, etc in the archives.

Up to now I've not treated my blades with anything. I've just put a drop of oil (for inline skate ball bearings) into the pivot. As I've only recently become interested in quality knives I'm now wondering wether my knives are just not old enough to become rusty or if all these treatments are not really necessary for the 'average' knife user. I can easily imagine that it's a different story in humid environments or if the blade becomes wet regularly (which mine do not).

What do you think? (If it's necessary) What kind of treatment do you recommend?

PS: Of course I agree that once you collect knifes it's fun to sharpen them more often than necessary, clean them, lube them, clean them ... ;-)

 

[Gollnick]

Many of today's better stainless steel alloys are remarkably rust resistant and don't need much extra protection for most users. ATS-34, 440, etc., are fine for most day-to-day use, especially if kept basically clean and dry.

Pivots, on the other hand, still need lubrication.

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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com

 

[Shmackey]

My ATS-34 knives need more help to prevent rust than do my AUS-6 or AUS-8 knives.

Similarly, bead-blasted finishes will rust more easily than satin.

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Man, I hate smileys.