M4 - Is it a ‘Rust Magnet’..?

[Handwrecker]

I had a Spyderco GB1 with M4 a few years ago. It only seemed to develop rust in my pocket during hot days. Never was left on long enough for any pitting. If I did it again, I’d probably prefer a patina to just put my mind at ease. It did make me enjoy the GB a little less, regardless of that not making much sense and many of my other knives having a patina.

If you have a hunch it may bother you, maybe a plain Jane, original ‘super steel’ S30v Para would be more enjoyable?

 

[ponykid]

In my experience, if you just wipe the blade dry after each use, it will be ok. It's when you put your knife away wet, or covered in fruit juice, is when it will start staining. Staining doesn't really bother me in a steel. It builds character for on my knife!

Slight staining on my M4 Millie...

that actually looks really nice!!

after seeing all these beautifully patina blades I think I want an M4 blade now!!!!

 

[GatorFlash1]

For an M4 blade I think it's better to have a DLC coating.

Great idea. Who makes one?

 

[Akcir]

If you put just a little effort into taking care of it, you should be fine. I'm not taking about swimming in the ocean.
And whether or not you "need" M4, isn't for others to say.
It's what you want.

 

[BTGuy]

Fruit juice in your pivot will make your action terrible. That's why I make an effort to keep that stuff out of my pivot area.

This right here would be more of a concern to me than the rest of the blade. It's easy enough to wipe the blade off before putting away, but a little moisture left in the pivot area after a few uses and that'll start causing you more issues than a developing patina. That being said, I've not had any issue with my Gayle Bradley in M4 rusting. I just make sure it's dry before putting away. So far it's only developed a dark patina mostly around the thumb hole and the spine.

 

[MolokaiRider]

I carry this one quite a bit and agree with many of the previous posts that it just needs wiped and dried off after use. M4 is really nice and very capable steel.

 

[91bravo]

This right here would be more of a concern to me than the rest of the blade. It's easy enough to wipe the blade off before putting away, but a little drop left in the pivot area after a few uses and that'll start causing you more issues than a developing patina. That being said, I've not had any issue with my Gayle Bradley in M4 rusting. I just make sure it's dry before putting away. So far it's only developed a dark patina mostly around the thumb hole and the spine.

If you'll put a patina on your blade and then wipe it down with oil, then it's not going to develop any rust. It's those folks that are obsessive in keeping their blades clean and pristine, where they neglect it one time, is when all the orange rust will show up. If you put an initial patina on it, it's only going to patina more, not rust.

Yeah, juices in your pivot will create a sticky track for the detent ball to ride on. Action sucks! On blades like M4, I will put a drop of oil in the pivot to keep moisture and stuff out of it.

 

[BTGuy]

If you'll put a patina on your blade and then wipe it down with oil, then it's not going to develop any rust. It's those folks that are obsessive in keeping their blades clean and pristine, where they neglect it one time, is when all the orange rust will show up. If you put an initial patina on it, it's only going to patina more, not rust.

Yeah, juices in your pivot will create a sticky track for the detent ball to ride on. Action sucks! On blades like M4, I will put a drop of oil in the pivot to keep moisture and stuff out of it.

I've read quite a few people saying that about forcing a patina to help prevent rust. I thought it was done more for the looks. I'll have to give that a try.

 

[spyderg]

Very interesting. So if I slice up a few apples for lunch, and don’t wipe the blade off until I’m finished with lunch, this will start a natural patina? What about the pivot and blade covered by the scales; anything to be concerned about there?

Pretty much, and different fruit will leave different colours. Eventually it ends up all kinda grey. Keep gunk and juice out of the pivot. Try to keep that dry other than a drop of oil every now and then. It will eventually patina on its own but will take longer.
If you’re after a high performing steel with less worry of rusting I suggest and recommend Cruwear!

 

[patrickguignot]

Great idea. Who makes one?

Spyderco PM2 and PM3 exists in M4 DLC version.
Sprint runs so perhaps they are not available anymore?

 

[Owen K.]

I just got a pm3 in m4 I'll keep track of what I do to it and post pics with the patina.

 

[Stumpy72]

How would I go about creating or forcing a patina?

 

[PoorUserName]

HT Lead spray, it waterproofs car auto electrics and is acid and petrol proof, it sprays on clear hard coating and i use to use it on axes and machetes.

 

[Tommy-Chi]

Great idea. Who makes one?

I bought a Benchmade Barrage in M4 with DLC coated blade through their Custom Shop.

 

[DocJD]

For an M4 blade I think it's better to have a DLC coating.

I've read that the DLC is not per se a rust preventative ?

 

[patrickguignot]

I've read that the DLC is not per se a rust preventative ?

Excellent video from Gough Custom testing different coatings :

You'll see DLC really prevent rust.

 

[uxo2]

M4 is wipe dry and hit it with Flitz
every now and then.

Not a rust magnet like 52100.

 

[M. Johnwell]

I’ve had the exact knife you’re considering for the past two years. Here’s mine after nearly daily carry and neglect. Didn’t really capture the patina it has, but as you can see there’s no real rust to speak of.

 

[knoefz]

It's a fine line between dveloping patina and getting tiny brownish rust spots in my experience. The superp edgeholding of the steel totally makes up for this imho. Love my Mantra with M4.

 

[jnevill]

It's a fine line between dveloping patina and getting tiny brownish rust spots in my experience. The superp edgeholding of the steel totally makes up for this imho. Love my Mantra with M4.

Not to thread crap too hard, but how does M4 compare to M390? I love my M390 Kershaw....