Recommendation?: Peppering on inner springs

[Suttree1]

I have a D2 steel knife that has developed some peppering on the inside of the springs. What do you recommend for cleaning this up and preventing further issues? I hate to see it get all eaten up.

Thank you.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

What brand of knife is it? It's likely the springs aren't D2, as with the blade, but something better suited for springs. For example, Queen's traditional knives with D2 blades have 420HC stainless springs (I asked them about this a while back). I'd think it pretty strange for a factory knife with a D2 blade (which is nearly stainless itself) to have non-stainless springs anyway. Some rusting is a possibility, even with stainless; but if so, it's usually pretty superficial and fairly simple to clean up.

At any rate, if you're actually getting some red/brown discoloration coming from the pepper spots (indicating actual rust, as opposed to black oxide, which is harmless), just cleaning & scrubbing with some WD-40 or mineral oil is usually enough to keep it under control.


David

 

[Suttree1]

What brand of knife is it? It's likely the springs aren't D2, as with the blade, but something better suited for springs. For example, Queen's traditional knives with D2 blades have 420HC stainless springs (I asked them about this a while back). I'd think it pretty strange for a factory knife with a D2 blade (which is nearly stainless itself) to have non-stainless springs anyway. Some rusting is a possibility, even with stainless; but if so, it's usually pretty superficial and fairly simple to clean up.

At any rate, if you're actually getting some red/brown discoloration coming from the pepper spots (indicating actual rust, as opposed to black oxide, which is harmless), just cleaning & scrubbing with some WD-40 or mineral oil is usually enough to keep it under control.


David

Thanks, David. This one was made by Gene Wiseman, so I'm unsure if the springs are also D2. I was surprised to see the rust forming so quickly, especially on stainless material Unfortunately, there isn't much space between liners to allow me to get down in there to clean it up. I will just shoot some lube down there, in hopes of retarding the rusting process.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Thanks, David. This one was made by Gene Wiseman, so I'm unsure if the springs are also D2. I was surprised to see the rust forming so quickly, especially on stainless material Unfortunately, there isn't much space between liners to allow me to get down in there to clean it up. I will just shoot some lube down there, in hopes of retarding the rusting process.

Custom knife, so no telling what the springs are made of; maybe they're not stainless. Might be worth looking him up to see if you can contact him and ask.

Sometimes, an improvised means of reaching into the bladewell to scrub the springs can work. I've sometimes found that a 'popsicle stick' or 'tongue depressor' stick of wood, cut to a point at one end (I just 'whittle' them to shape) can work pretty well. They're usually thin enough to fit into the bladewell on most midsize-to-large folding knives. These sticks can be found in the hobby/craft section at Walmart or at a hobby/craft store. Can also use these with some fabric or a paper towel wrapped around the end, if there's room for it. WD-40 does a decent job of loosening red rust; that's what I'd generally try first.


David

 

[Suttree1]

Custom knife, so no telling what the springs are made of; maybe they're not stainless. Might be worth looking him up to see if you can contact him and ask.

Sometimes, an improvised means of reaching into the bladewell to scrub the springs can work. I've sometimes found that a 'popsicle stick' or 'tongue depressor' stick of wood, cut to a point at one end (I just 'whittle' them to shape) can work pretty well. They're usually thin enough to fit into the bladewell on most midsize-to-large folding knives. These sticks can be found in the hobby/craft section at Walmart or at a hobby/craft store. Can also use these with some fabric or a paper towel wrapped around the end, if there's room for it. WD-40 does a decent job of loosening red rust; that's what I'd generally try first.


David

Thanks again. Will give that a shot soon.

 

[jc57]

Wooden coffee stirrer sticks (usually available for free at coffee shops) do great for getting inside there if you don't like popsicles. I find the Panera Bread coffee stirrers are superior in this regard to Starbucks.