LC200N and Salt Water

[John_0917]

Been carrying my CQI SpydieChef at the beach recently as one of my main EDCs, been an awesome companion at home (especially for food prep) and on the beach. Real world usage result below, YMMV...I’m pretty pleased at the results and glad I used my brand new $235 knife as a test mule

The other day, I decided to conduct a totally unscientific test...I dunked it in the ocean, folded it up and pocketed it, no wiping or rinsing of any kind...here’s what happened 24 hours later:


In short, it did rust...but very minimally. The brown spots by thr hole and on the bug were definitely rust, but they also came off pretty easily (cotton swab dipped in acetone, my referred stainless cleaning method). So, I think it’s fair to say that LC is HIGHLY RESISTANT to rust, but not rust PROOF.

Another thing to note is that I have used spray cleaners to sanitize it since then after cutting raw chicken, including those that contained bleach, and they did not effect the steel at all, definitely good news.

 

[RHPICAYUNE]

Thank you for sacrificing yours and doing the testing for us !
this is good information to know.
I suppose from what I’ve read H1 steel is the only true rust proof steel, yes?

 

[sgt1372]

Don't think they've ever said LC200N is "impervious" to corrosion - only "ultra-corrosion-resistant"

and FWIW . . .

I don't think it's unreasonable to expect that one at least wipe/dry the blade before closing in order to achieve that result.

 

[RHPICAYUNE]

For some good advice, I may reach out and ask the gentleman on this forum that’s always fishing.
His BF nickname might be surfing gringo or something like that..
He could definitely give some great advice with all his experience with H1 in salt water.

 

[DA170]

Been carrying my CQI SpydieChef at the beach recently as one of my main EDCs, been an awesome companion at home (especially for food prep) and on the beach. Real world usage result below, YMMV...I’m pretty pleased at the results and glad I used my brand new $235 knife as a test mule

The other day, I decided to conduct a totally unscientific test...I dunked it in the ocean, folded it up and pocketed it, no wiping or rinsing of any kind...here’s what happened 24 hours later:
View attachment 1318553 View attachment 1318554

In short, it did rust...but very minimally. The brown spots by thr hole and on the bug were definitely rust, but they also came off pretty easily (cotton swab dipped in acetone, my referred stainless cleaning method). So, I think it’s fair to say that LC is HIGHLY RESISTANT to rust, but not rust PROOF.

Another thing to note is that I have used spray cleaners to sanitize it since then after cutting raw chicken, including those that contained bleach, and they did not effect the steel at all, definitely good news.

My son's Waterway (uses it regularly on fishing boat off San Diego ) did the same thing the first time he used it. I think there's some contamination during the laser etching process for the logos and during the grinding of the blade! He cleaned it up with Bar Keepers and hasn't had issues anymore!

Surfingringo is who your looking for. Designed the Waterway and Siren

 

[Surfingringo]

Over the last few years of relentless testing I have seen one or two rare spots appear on LC200N after HEAVY saltwater exposure over weeks and months but they have wiped off easily. I think it is likely a matter of finish and possibly a result of tiny pieces of foreign matter being left in the grind lines by the belt. I would agree from my testing that LC200N is not quiiiite on par with H1 for corrosion resistance but it is still in a completely different league than standard “stainless steels”. I probably subject my knives to far more corrosive exposure than 99.9% of the world and LC200N performs great for me giving me no corrosion issues. Bottom line is I appreciate the improvement in pe edge performance over H1 and don’t notice the marginal decrease in extreme corrosion resistance. It’s a great steel. That said, I’m still a big fan of H1, especially in SE.