KNIFE STORAGE/SHEATH

[TOMBSTONE]

I Know that its not a good idea to store knives in sheaths made of leather due to the acids.However;is it ok to do it if the blade is stainless steel,or does it make any difference.thanks,RS

 

[Jim March]

Depends on the knife. Something in a "low grade" stainless with a high chrome content like 440A, 420J2, 425 or whatever won't be "eager" to rust. The top "stainless" steels like ATS34, BG42 or the CPM types might be a bit less rust-proof, possibly bordering on "tool steel" toughness and edgeholding (which is good) but as a tradeoff are barely stainless. D2 is "just on the other side of the border", it's a tool steel that is somewhat reluctant to rust but ain't considered "stainless".

Also, any single steel's rust resistance *and* other qualities will vary with the heat-treat. And finish - bead-blasted often equals "loves to rust". Hardness often equals rust resistance regardless of steel.

If you do a thin oil coat then sheath a stainless blade in a DRY leather sheath and keep it that way, it should be fine...but there's no guarantees.

Jim March

 

[Walt Welch]

Jim has covered the subject fairly well. However stainless means just that. It will stain and corrode, and storing it in a leather sheath is just asking for trouble. If there is some compelling reason why you must do this, I suggest using a Marine Tuf-Cloth on the blade first, and reapplying regularly. The Tuf-Cloth ingredient will bond with the metal (unlike oil), and protect it. Walt

 

[J Koch]

I just bought a padded zippered cloth case for my custom hunting knife. You might want to try one. Mine was $5.00 for one app.5 in. by 3 in.

 

[TOMBSTONE]

Thanks for the info.RS