Patina, Corrosion and Rust...Questions from a Steel Newb

[sharkattacksw]

Total steel newb questions ahead (sorry!)

All of this talk about the 52100 PM2 has really gotten me wanting one. However, I'm new to this steel. I've heard of some of them arriving with small spots of rust on them before they were even used. A lot of guys are forcing the patina on the blade, while others are letting it happen naturally. so my questions are:

1. Is this a steel that will rust if I look at it wrong?
2. I don't mind stains, fingerprints, etc. on the blade from using it. Will these stains (or are these stains) make for a patina?
3. Is patina a form of corrosion that "prevents" more corrosion? i.e. will a patina'd blade not get the orange rust on it?
4. It's the orange rusty look that I want to avoid. Dark stains from use, finger prints, etc. are fine with me.
5. Should I worry about the pivot area getting rusty?
6. If a forced patina is the way to go, is there a forum member here who's the go-to expert as far as what solution to use? What to avoid?

Thanks in advance for any help that you guys can offer. I keep learning more and more here each time I log on, it seems.

 

[jpm2]

1. No, not with reasonable care.
2. yes, with time.
3. Sort of. A patina'd blade can still get orange rust.
4. yes
5. Generally no, but depends on use and environment.
6. I would just use it and let it darken naturally.

 

[Uncle Timbo]

A patina, whether forced or brought on by use and time will HELP ward off Mr. Rust.
You still have to use common sense. I've forced many-a-patina's, only to come to the conclusion of, you can't beat the real McCoy.
Go have a nice steak.

 

[Hard Knocks]

• 3. Is patina a form of corrosion that "prevents" more corrosion? i.e. will a patina'd blade not get the orange rust on it?

• 4. It's the orange rusty look that I want to avoid. Dark stains from use, finger prints, etc. are fine with me.

I'll try to speak to questions 3 and 4. The red rust on 52100 seems to be a surface rust and it darkens with oiling in the manner of 1095. A patina'd 52100 blade that is oiled is much less prone to red rust.

IME what you describe in #4 is how this steel behaves when taking natural patina. Member donscpoo has some beautiful 52100 Militarys with forced patina. He forces it with mustard I believe.

I see where some makers and modders are using a ferric chloride solution to darken 52100. I'm not fully up to speed on the process for this, but it might be worth considering/pursuing.

Here is a Swamprat in Busse's version of 52100 (SR101) with forced mustard patina that I did. It definitely does help with red rust, and continues to darken.

Top knife, after forced patina...

And before forcing patina. As my designated skinner it was darkening unevenly, what with the bulk of the use on the tip, and that's why I decided to go ahead and force it. But that knife has had a lot of use and most of the blade was still pretty shiny as can be seen below.

 

[sharkattacksw]

Thx so much for the help guys. I'm still on the fence about getting the 52100 PM2.

 

[Uncle Timbo]

Dave really knows what he's talking about, especially skinning. That's a bear he took that the knives are lying on. The man does a lot of skinning.
But he knows a lot about knives in general. They are his life.

 

[Hard Knocks]

Thx so much for the help guys. I'm still on the fence about getting the 52100 PM2.

You're welcome sir. It's a great performing steel IMO, it just doesn't stay shiny like stainless will. Good luck with your decision.

Dave really knows what he's talking about, especially skinning. That's a bear he took that the knives are lying on. The man does a lot of skinning.
But he knows a lot about knives in general. They are his life.

Thanks for the vote of confidence Tim. Mostly I feel like I know just enough to be dangerous lol. Have a good day my friend.

 

[donscpoo]

Thx so much for the help guys. I'm still on the fence about getting the 52100 PM2.

I would say go for it. 52100 will patina nicely. Be it natural patina or forced, it will become an unique piece that no one else will have.

Here are my two 52100 Spyderco.

I cannot make the patina to look the same even though I used the same method to force the patina. I was using mustard and bubble wrap to dap on the blade to form the pattern.

Close up of the end result on the PM2:

Yes, red rust will still form on the blade but these are surface rust. I carry mine everyday since it arrived and had some on mine too as Singapore is relatively humid and hot. However, there are people who does not have any issue with it too. It depends on the conditions you put it through.

 

[Uncle Timbo]

Don - love how the twins turned out! ^^^