Recommendations: RIG (rust inhibiting grease) to use on HC Damascus?

ice_man

ice_man

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Sep 16, 2014
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Hi Guys, I recently got 2 High Carbon Damascus Sebenzas and have a few question regarding them.

Can you recommend any RIG (rust inhibiting grease) to use on High Carbon Damascus blades? How often does one need to apply it on the blade?

Also, do I need to coat the entire blade including the pivot area then? Do I apply a generous amount or just right?

I hate applying oils and grease on stuff I fondle, but I guess in this situation it can't be helped.

Thanks CRK peeps... :)
 
While I personally wouldn't use anything but CRK grease in the pivot; on exposed metal, a coating of Frog Lube will do wonders. It works by getting into the pores of the metal. It is a fabulous rust preventative (one of the best IMO) and it is also food grade.

ETA - testing of 46 different lubes/preventatives: http://www.dayattherange.com/?page_id=3667
 
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You may get many opinions on this. I prefer Boeshield T-9, which was developed by Boeing for their own usage as a lubricant and corrosion-preventative. Its basically a mild solvent, which evaporates and leaves behind a film of paraffin wax. The wax is thick enough that you can feel it.

Basically any oil will do the trick, as long as you keep it applied. Any barrier that prevents oxygen from reaching the metal will work.
 
Ummmm guys to be clear, I am not talking about lube on the pivot bushing. I am looking for a Rust Inhibiting Grease (RIG) applied to "High Carbon" Damascus blades. :)

I use CRK and Finish Line grease for my pivots... :)
 
powernoodle said:
You may get many opinions on this. I prefer Boeshield T-9, which was developed by Boeing for their own usage as a lubricant and corrosion-preventative. Its basically a mild solvent, which evaporates and leaves behind a film of paraffin wax. The wax is thick enough that you can feel it.

Basically any oil will do the trick, as long as you keep it applied. Any barrier that prevents oxygen from reaching the metal will work.
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Thanks! However, I hate applying oil as they do become runny after sometime. I called CRK and they just recommend to get any RIG. But I was wondering if there are guys here who use a particular brand they can recommend.
 
Understood. I only added that comment as a disclaimer. I still recommend a coating of frog lube. It will wipe off and still protect as it gets into the metal itself.
 
Corskin said:
Understood. I only added that comment as a disclaimer. I still recommend a coating of frog lube. It will wipe off and still protect as it gets into the metal itself.
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I've read about nice things about frog lube. I also heard horrible experiences of people using them. So, I avoided it. I think it works great when you use your knives, but not advisable on ones you store for most of the time...

Thanks for the link by the way. It was a good read... :)
 
A.G.Russell sells a rust inhibitor on their website. I've got a bottle and only put a drop on each side, work it all over the blade to have a very thin layer of oil covering the blade.
Wipe it off when using the knife and re apply as needed. It's not runny, doesn't drip, get all over the knife parts. Works great on my fixed blades.
I've got a small amount of RIG left that came with the carbon steel CRK Damascus that I've got. When that runs out, I'll use the A.G. Russell oil.
 
Ajack60 said:
A.G.Russell sells a rust inhibitor on their website. I've got a bottle and only put a drop on each side, work it all over the blade to have a very thin layer of oil covering the blade.
Wipe it off when using the knife and re apply as needed. It's not runny, doesn't drip, get all over the knife parts. Works great on my fixed blades.
I've got a small amount of RIG left that came with the carbon steel CRK Damascus that I've got. When that runs out, I'll use the A.G. Russell oil.
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Thanks Anthony! I will read-up on this A.G.Russell.. :)
 
Rig Universal, is hard to beat for fine guns, knives, any carbon based steels. I've used it for 30 years and never had anything coated with it rust. Get a cotton wash cloth and make yourself a rig rag, great stuff.
CR recommends it because it works.
 
ice_man said:
I've read about nice things about frog lube. I also heard horrible experiences of people using them. So, I avoided it. I think it works great when you use your knives, but not advisable on ones you store for most of the time...
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Not sure what kind of stories you've heard about frog lube and stored knives. I use frog lube on all my high carbon blades (Damascus and non-Damascus). Never had a problem. For things that I will use every day, I use the liquid frog lube. If it is something that I will just admire and store ... I tend to use the paste. (Heat the blade with a hair drier until warm, then apply the paste. It will liquefy when it touches the warm blade. Let it sit for 10 minutes or so, then wipe it clean.)
 
This stuff. Not food grade, but also non-staining. Unless you plan on cutting apples with your HC blades (which you likely won't), this stuff goes on thin and clear and does not make a mess of your pockets or stain your furniture. Works great!

https://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/other-products/cleaners-and-protectants/mp-metal-protector/

At less than $10 a can, you can get some and use it for a multitude of other things if you don't like it on the knife. It is a really good surface treatment. No weird waxy coating or anything, yet doesn't totally disappear either like WD40 does
 
mlamb said:
Rig Universal, is hard to beat for fine guns, knives, any carbon based steels. I've used it for 30 years and never had anything coated with it rust. Get a cotton wash cloth and make yourself a rig rag, great stuff.
CR recommends it because it works.
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This looks like the closest CRK includes / uses on their HC Damascus blades. I think I will give this a try as I prefer to use products which are recommended by the manufacturer.
 
d.r.h. said:
Not sure what kind of stories you've heard about frog lube and stored knives. I use frog lube on all my high carbon blades (Damascus and non-Damascus). Never had a problem. For things that I will use every day, I use the liquid frog lube. If it is something that I will just admire and store ... I tend to use the paste. (Heat the blade with a hair drier until warm, then apply the paste. It will liquefy when it touches the warm blade. Let it sit for 10 minutes or so, then wipe it clean.)
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Hey d.r.h., I read on some gun reviews that frog lube when applied and stored for a long time becomes a very "gunky" and pasty. Then leaves a very sticky residue and discoloration on guns. So, I am not sure if it also applies to HC steels...

Paste? what kind of paste?
 
ice_man -

That's been my exact experience with that stuff on a rifle. Resulted in having to refinish all the metal. I won't touch the stuff ever again.
 
ice_man said:
Hey d.r.h., I read on some gun reviews that frog lube when applied and stored for a long time becomes a very "gunky" and pasty. Then leaves a very sticky residue and discoloration on guns. So, I am not sure if it also applies to HC steels...

Paste? what kind of paste?
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I've read the same on the build up. I think that the "gunk" is caused by over applying and should only be an issue when not following directions on moving parts.

As far as discoloration, that's a new one for me; I've never seen or heard that before. I'll definitely search harder for that as I use it on all of my guns as well (non moving parts).
 
RamDreamer said:
ice_man -

That's been my exact experience with that stuff on a rifle. Resulted in having to refinish all the metal. I won't touch the stuff ever again.
Click to expand...

Yeah, this is what I am afraid of. That's the reason why I want to use what CRK recommends. RIG it is then... :)
 
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