Purchasing my first blade and in need of guidance.

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Death132

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I have just purchased a Reaper from a company called ZombieTools. I plan to start collecting blades in the future but have a lot to learn. This is something I am taking VERY seriously and I need as much information as possible when it comes to taking care of a blade and preventing any rust or Degradation.

I don't actually plan on using this blade but I would like to know the process of caring and cleaning it once being used but this isn't the main thing.

The main thing this blade is for me is a collectors item. So I plan on having it stored with little to no use. I know oils need to be applied but I don't know what types, and how often they should be applied, if they can be kept in the sheathe or if they shouldn't', if the sheathe can be put on when the blade is oiled, etc....
So please treat me as someone who has absolutely zero clue how to care for a blade and be as in depth and descriptive as possible in explaining pretty much everything there is to know about blades.

I would also appreciate an explanation on how improper care/treatment negatively effects a blade.

Here is some info on the blades and materials used by the company.

http://zombietools.net/some_quick_facts_about_our_blades/

5160 spring steel, Carbon steel, Kydex sheathe, heat treated(whatever that means)

This is something I am very serious about and will appreciate any in depth responses. I will read everything and want to soak up as much knowledge as possible.
 
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Not to sure about a company that uses such printed language on their website. Sounds like a trash company to me. I wouldn't do business with them, but I wouldn't waste my money or time with anything they sell, or any company that sells such trash. Just my opinion, and it is worth less than the knife you bought.

Omar
:rolleyes:
 
OHALLUM said:
Not to sure about a company that uses such printed language on their website. Sounds like a trash company to me. I wouldn't do business with them, but I wouldn't waste my money or time with anything they sell, or any company that sells such trash. Just my opinion, and it is worth less than the knife you bought.

Omar
:rolleyes:
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Well if you would read more on the site it's mainly marketing. They are a very serious company with high quality products. And I didn't come here to be judged on my choice of blade or have my choice of blade insulted. I came here hoping for mature and experienced owners to explain everything needed to know in order to take care of a blade. Don't know if that will happen but one can hope and I will continue to hope because this is something I am serious about. Thanks for nothing though.
 
A light coating of just about any oil or grease should work just fine as far as I know. Apply as needed to maintain said light coating. Don't store the knife in a leather sheath, but anything else should be fine. If you don't plan on using a knife, that should just about do it.

By the way, heat treating is the process by which steel is hardened to take and hold an edge. It's a fascinating process, really, and I'd suggest you do a google search for more information. If you only plan on displaying your knives/swords, I really don't see heat treat or steel as being an issue. Those things matter for strength, edge retention, etc., but have nothing to do with looks. If you're only looking for display pieces, you can find plenty inexpensive of 'wallhangers' made of cheap stainless that you won't have to worry (much) about rust.
 
The blade comes with a Kydex sheath, so I could store it in that right?

What about if I were to use the blade for whatever ever reason. I know it needs to be cleaned off after use and then oiled.

And it's not a display piece. I don't want anything cheap just meant for looking at. I personally want real sharpened blades which this is. Which is why I want to learn as much as possible. Thanks for the serious reply btw.
 
while it looks pretty cool, you severely over-payed for an aluminum handle and about $15 worth of steel. How is the aluminum bonded to the steel? if its not a full tang construction, meaning the blade and the handle are one piece of steel, I would NOT suggest using it to chop anything that will provide serious resistance. It looks like the blade may be a stick tang perhaps epoxied into the aluminum handle. With a lever arm of 4 feet, you will be putting some serious torque on that joint if you are chopping something with resistance, and that type of connection is not meant for those forces, its more of a cutting tool connection.

As for actual blade care, the aluminum will naturally develop an oxidized layer that renders the metal underneath pretty much inert, which is a good thing. The carbon steel just needs to be wiped down and oiled, keeping a light oil layer on it.
 
Pick up some mineral oil from the drug store and put some on a rag and wipe down the blade. Repeat every 1-2 months. I wouldn't store it in the kydex sheath. I've had some oils make my kydex sheaths smell like the oil. If that doesn't bother you or your using an oil that doesn't have a strong smell then, store it in the sheath.
 
Pretty much any household oil will work just fine. (vegetable oil). In fact I sometimes use vitamin E oil on my carbon blades which is supposed to be used on skin haha. If you use your blade and get it dirty, wipe it down with a cloth with a bit of oil on it and you're good to go. Keep in mind, if you use a carbon steel, it will patina and it will never look brand new again unless the surface is ground off. I like my blades to look used personally:)

Caring for carbon steel is so much easier than it seems at first, just don't let anything that will rust the blade sit on it for very long.

You can put it in its sheath all you want even with oil on it.
 
Death132 said:
Well if you would read more on the site it's mainly marketing. They are a very serious company with high quality products. And I didn't come here to be judged on my choice of blade or have my choice of blade insulted. I came here hoping for mature and experienced owners to explain everything needed to know in order to take care of a blade. Don't know if that will happen but one can hope and I will continue to hope because this is something I am serious about. Thanks for nothing though.
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haha way to stick it to em.

I've always liked the zombie tools stuff.

You should get some Renaissance Wax. Thats the stuff people use to protect there buku bucks katanas.
 
direstrats220 said:
while it looks pretty cool, you severely over-payed for an aluminum handle and about $15 worth of steel. How is the aluminum bonded to the steel? if its not a full tang construction, meaning the blade and the handle are one piece of steel, I would NOT suggest using it to chop anything that will provide serious resistance. It looks like the blade may be a stick tang perhaps epoxied into the aluminum handle. With a lever arm of 4 feet, you will be putting some serious torque on that joint if you are chopping something with resistance, and that type of connection is not meant for those forces, its more of a cutting tool connection.

As for actual blade care, the aluminum will naturally develop an oxidized layer that renders the metal underneath pretty much inert, which is a good thing. The carbon steel just needs to be wiped down and oiled, keeping a light oil layer on it.
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They test the reaper out at 2:46 on a steer head. Don't know if this could help you determine anything but here it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwkv8Q5LZT4

If this type of video isn't allowed on this site than I apologize and will remove the video.
 
Well, to directly answer your question, like others have suggested, oil will prevent blade rust. Yes you can insert an oiled blade into a kydex sheath, but oil residue in the sheath will collect dust, grit, etc. A kydex sheath can always be washed out with warm water and mild detergent.

Hand oils and sweat can have a corrosive effect on metals, leather, and various blade finishes. If you want to keep the item in pristine condition, the less you touch it the better.

Also, sliding a blade in and out of a kydex sheath will scuff/scratch the blades finish. This will happen even more if dirt, grit, etc, gets trapped inside the sheath.

Now, on an semi-related note, I'm curious to know why you purchased such an item. Don't get me wrong, I'm not judging you in any way, in fact I'm 42 years old and I don't think there is anything wrong with buying something just because you think it looks "cool", many here make similar such purchases. My curiosity is based on the fact that you seem to want to store it away (not purchased as a "wall hanger" decoration), and you say that you might use it. But I wonder what a person would use a thing like that for. And if you are expecting the item to increase in value over time, like a collectors item, I am firm in my belief that such a thing will never happen. It's just not that type of item.
 
direstrats220, I found some pictures of the blade. Does this help at all with understanding the design? Apparently it's full tang from what I've read from some other forum.

GEDC0451.jpg

GEDC0452.jpg


And I bought just because I personally love the design. I don't ever plan on selling it and hoping to get a good deal. I just want to start collecting real weaponry and this just clicked with me.
 
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Depending on where you live, caring for carbon steel blades can be easier or harder, but I would never say that it is difficult. Humid areas make things a bit more prone to rust, while dry places its much less common.

I don't have experience with that particular steel, but like others have said, keeping rust away is as easy as keeping it dry, and with a bit of oil on it (for storage). I personally don't worry about oiling my carbon steel blades unless I am going to be putting them away for a while, and I've never had any problems with mine.

Also, patinas are natural, and protect the blade from bad rust (the red flakey kind) and can look pretty cool. With the style that thing has, I think a patina would go along great with it, and you wouldn't have to worry as much about rust. So you might think about forcing a patina if you're really worried about it.

And as far as the oil you use, it really doesn't matter. Vegetable oil is easy to find, but can go rancid if you keep it on there too long, but its food safe (not sure that matters here), and non-toxic. You can also use mineral oil, motor oil, 3-1, etc. And remember you don't have to "lube" the knife really, you just want a thin coating there to protect it, not give it some thick nasty coating of oil that makes it so you can't even touch the thing.

And while the blade isn't really my type of blade, whats it to me if you like it?

Enjoy the purchase man :).
 
That thing is pretty cool. 5160 can definitely rust, though, so coat it in oil. Any household oil will do just as another user stated. I coat all of my carbon steel blades in vegetable oil and I've had no issues.
 
Dude! Thanks for posting the link. These knives are awesome and yes, they do look like serious blades! I love the Mac-Daddy-O! And their Katana. Very cool. I might have to place an order... And to those who are questioning why someone would buy one of these blades, why do people buy expensive Katanas and other swords that will likely never actually be used? I think it's because they are nice to have around just in case...
 
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