Maintaining high-carbon steels

[MissesMeow]

I’m a stainless guy. Always have been, always will be. And yet … I’ve lately found myself entranced by some high-carbon-steel fixed blades, specifically the Winkler Belt Knife and some Lon Humphrey offerings.

Two things about me: I hate the idea of rust on my expensive knives almost as much as I hate work or effort of any kind. My ideal life is to sit back, do nothing, and watch my knives not rust. So I’m scared to pull the trigger on one of these bad boys.

So, I guess my question is: What kind of effort is required to maintain rust-free high-carbon steel? When it’s not in use and sitting in a drawer, do I have to oil it every day? Once a week? Less often? And is there anything else I should do besides oiling? Pray to ancient gods? Blood sacrifices to forge demons?

Thanks for any info.

P.S.

I’m well aware that not only has this question probably been asked and answered innumerable times in these hallowed forums, but I could probably find the answer with 30 seconds of Googling. But where’s the fun in that? Where’s the human connection? Where’s the possibility of a grizzled mountain man calling me a pu$$y for preferring stainless steel? No. I want to handle this the old-fashioned way: by asking thousands of strangers with only a few taps on my handheld space phone that connects to an invisible, global communications network.

 

[shinyedges]

Don't worry about it rusting to much. Use it, let it develop a patina and then just make sure you clean the blade when your done using it. Depending on the steel you may not have to worry much at all.

 

[Citori]

My program for carbon blades is to use them regularly, and failing that just wipe them down after use when I can.

I don't care at all about minor surface rust or discoloration. As long at the edge is in good shape I don't get too worried.

 

[MissesMeow]

Don't worry about it rusting to much. Use it, let it develop a patina and then just make sure you clean the blade when your done using it. Depending on the steel you may not have to worry much at all.

Thanks, man! I think part of my aversion to carbon steel is that I used to think a patina was due to corrosion. I know better now, but that misconception was long held and has biased me I think.

 

[shinyedges]

Thanks, man! I think part of my aversion to carbon steel is that I used to think a patina was due to corrosion. I know better now, but that misconception was long held and has biased me I think.

Technically patina is corrosion, but it forms a very thin layer on the surface of the steel and when maintained will keep red rust from forming. It's actually kinda cool to maintain your blade. You develop a bond with it and it forms character from use in the form of the patina it develops.

I say try a becker of your choice that tickles your fancy, strip the coating with citri strip spray that you can buy at Walmart or a hardware store. Then force a patina with lime or mustard or whatever you like. Use the knife and wipe it down and you'll be fine.

 

[EngrSorenson]

Once, I was in your shoes.
I bought an Opinel Carbone to see what would happen. Never oiled it; just wiped it down after use with a napkin or handkerchief.
It patina’ed and worked great.

Now most of my knives are 1095.

If they’re going to sit a while, I just wipe on some mineral oil and put them away.

Rust spots might happen, but it’s not like the thing turns into a rust heap overnight. Oil it- they darken, move on.

Get a rust eraser just in case, but really, the knife is going to look like it’s been used. It’ll look old as the hills by the time you get it through a month of use.

 

[EngrSorenson]

Also, just to add, my dad through out his life raised me to understand carbon steel rusts in your pockets. Dad was right about many things, but I’d have to neglect my knifes pretty hard before anything drastic happened.

 

[mauser9]

Only carbon one I got is that 66 made Puma Skinner I believe. Never had a rust issue but maybe cause it contains nickel too. Still I use one of those Remington green cloths which contain Rem-Oil for a wipe down once in a while.

 

[JParanee]

I believe it was Bill BAGWELL who wrote …..men took carbon steel blades to sea and they didn’t disintegrate

for most situations carbon blades are easy to take care of

 

[AntDog]

I’m a stainless guy. Always have been, always will be. And yet … I’ve lately found myself entranced by some high-carbon-steel fixed blades, specifically the Winkler Belt Knife and some Lon Humphrey offerings.

Two things about me: I hate the idea of rust on my expensive knives almost as much as I hate work or effort of any kind. My ideal life is to sit back, do nothing, and watch my knives not rust. So I’m scared to pull the trigger on one of these bad boys.

So, I guess my question is: What kind of effort is required to maintain rust-free high-carbon steel? When it’s not in use and sitting in a drawer, do I have to oil it every day? Once a week? Less often? And is there anything else I should do besides oiling? Pray to ancient gods? Blood sacrifices to forge demons?

Thanks for any info.

P.S.

I’m well aware that not only has this question probably been asked and answered innumerable times in these hallowed forums, but I could probably find the answer with 30 seconds of Googling. But where’s the fun in that? Where’s the human connection? Where’s the possibility of a grizzled mountain man calling me a pu$$y for preferring stainless steel? No. I want to handle this the old-fashioned way: by asking thousands of strangers with only a few taps on my handheld space phone that connects to an invisible, global communications network.

Pu$$y.

Wash with dish soap and water after use, wipe dry, anoint with oil of your choice, and don’t worry about it.

….and don’t store it in a leather sheath.

 

[luethge]

A nice patina will actually help deter future rust. I wipe mine down with Dawn and WD40 ( olive or mineral oil for food use ) after use. Patina is beautiful though.

 

[shinyedges]

Friendly as a cactus toilet seat tonight lol

 

[MissesMeow]

Pu$$y.

Wash with dish soap and water after use, wipe dry, anoint with oil of your choice, and don’t worry about it.

….and don’t store it in a leather sheath.

Thank you for calling me a pussy. Extra credit if you’re heavily bearded and wearing denim overalls with nothing on underneath while doing it.

 

[MissesMeow]

View attachment 2322002View attachment 2322003

A nice patina will actually help deter future rust. I wipe mine down with Dawn and WD40 ( olive or mineral oil for food use ) after use. Patina is beautiful though.

That one on the right in the first pic is hot. I could definitely live with that. And good tip re: WD-40. I’m always happy to find additional uses for that stuff.

All-time great WD-40 gag:

 

[ShaiHulud]

Its Easy like Sunday morning
I used it like any other knife
Whenever surface rust showed up I polished it off with some flitz
It will patina with use, or use contents with high acidity to force one. I brought a roselli UHC to the beach and just being out in the air it started to get black spots everywhere
Flirz, it's what's for dinner. Buy lots of tubes and use your knife however
You can store it back in the sheath after it's sufficiently dry, I did so with no consequences, the early people didn't use their knife then sit it on a rock to dry after each use, nope, back into the sheath it went. Just use your knife, a Patina will form before it gets too rusted up and it'll take a long time for a knife to be destroyed by rust when you're constantly using it.

 

[trevitrace]

As long as you don't neglect it, it'll be just fine. Cursory wipe dry and carry on. Maybe I'm just a sucker for a nice patina, but I enjoy the bit of character it gives each knife.

 

[ShaiHulud]

I sure do like the gray sheen of a nice well-used carbon knife with a patina

 

[ferider]

The Winkler sheaths are _excellent_. Don’t worry about storing your knife in there as long as it’s dry, or better dry and wiped off with mineral oil. Most of the Winklers have a black oxide finish so you don’t need to worry about patina either.

 

[ShaiHulud]

Dry off carbon or high carbon tool steels methodically. Make sure to get the area where the the handle and blade meet, it will look like a toppled capitol 'L' on both sides
Moisture glistens there even after a good drying, a quick blow with your mouth, air can, or Q tip helps

 

[Alberta Ed]

I use BreakFree CLP to prevent rust, but Vaseline also works.