M4 - care, blackenning, questions

S

Sevrin

Joined
Oct 2, 2018
Messages
24
Heyo

I have a Spyderco Yojimbo2 in M4
I love the berzerk boxcutter but I have a few issues and questions

For one, there is a tiny bit of spotting on the blade. It doesn't look red and is faint enough that I can't actually pick it up with a camera but im not sure what to think
I think there may be some rust in the detent hole but it could also be crud? I'm not sure because I thought I was babying the thing and really do love oiling my knives (I use citadel black knife oil)

All of this has made me rather paranoid, and after seeing the DLC coated + Jade scaled spydercos I started wondering if i could achieve a look like that and protect the knife at the same time. Scuffing up the factory finish on one side with a scotch-brite pad further emboldened me.
My questions are

1) should I be worried about this marking on my blade and what do you recommend doing?
2) Is there a way I can cheaply and safely turn my blade black that would also protect it
3) Any recommendations for perhaps getting it coated if question 2 doesn't have a satisfactory solution

Danke!
 
First, short of completely oiling the blade and never using it nor carrying it, it’s going to spot. It’s pretty much inevitable. It may be faint, but it’s going to happen. If you’re really concerned about it, use a different (stainless) steel. I keep my M4 PM2 oiled, but there always seems to be some very faint spotting on the blade and red rust in the pivot area/detent track. I don’t disassemble it to clean it out down there very often. Again, I just accept it.

The DLC is a coating over the steel. If you really want to, you can probably have it DLC coated. If I were you, I’d do one of two things, with the second being my suggestion:

1) Keep it oiled and dry/clean it when you use it. I do this with my M4 PM2
2) Accept that its going to form a patina and just let it happen. It doesn’t change the functionality of the knife — in fact, the patina will decrease the likelihood of damaging, pitting corrosion. I’ve been doing this with my REX 45 PM2 and I’ve really been liking what happens. It’s becoming distinctly mine and unique.
 
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No, you don't need to worry about M4 staining, but Flitz or Semi-Chrome might remove it.

M4 is carbon steel, so gun bluing will probably work better than the stuff they use to blacken stainless.

I don't know of a coating that doesn't get scratched up or worn off, which looks worse IMHO.
 
The only satin M4 I have I forced a patina on. If you want to make the whole thing just one big spot, I'd recommend it. Easier to upkeep IMO, and It hold the oil a little better.
 
A forced patina or acid wash finish may be for you. It's a lot easier to do than having it DLC coated.
 
As a follow-up to my above comment, this is what acid washed CPM-M4 looks like. I've not had it rust at all but it probably got a little darker with use. It hides further patina pretty well though.

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This was the picture the knife maker sent me after he finished it for me
LhSY2jWl.jpg
 
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