REKAT Rust?!?!?!

wyrm · Jun 14, 2001

Well I finally got my Pikuni(Enhanced D2 w/ G-10). I paid for it May 7th. I ordered it from Mike and his 'huge inventory blowout'. I was just starting to get a bit bent about the long delay, but it showed up today.

Somewhat excited now, I pop the tube and check it out. Grind lines look good(but there is a slip on the plung line), snug fit in sheath, reasonably sharp but, I GOT RUST IN THE THUMB GROOVES!!!!!! What's up with that??? Otherwise I really like the knife.

Now before anyone jumps on Mike, I have e-mailed him but he hasn't had a chance to reply yet and offer a explanation/solution. Maybe I'm wrong (it's been known to happen) but I consider rust to be damage. Am I being unreasonable to expect a rust-free knife, even when it's on sale?

My real question is: How do I get rid of it? Metal polish and a toothbrush? Would Tuf-cloth work? Or something else?

Solutions and opinions appreciated but please keep it civil. I'm not trying to ruffle feathers, I just want some constructive input.

Thanks, Dale.

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[This message has been edited by wyrm (edited 06-15-2001).]

USAFSP · Jun 14, 2001

Sorry to hear bout' the rust. I don't know if that would qualify as a munufacturers defect. Metal naturally rusts. It may have not had enough packing grease on it. There is a possibility you are not looking at any rust though. I have seen quite a few REKAT and Benchmade knives shipped that have some kind of oil stain on the blade, that appears to be rust. I have never had a REKAT that didn't have the ugly brown staining on the unfinished areas of the blade (ie.. inside finger grooves). Anyhow, wether it is rust or the brown staining, you can remove it with some metal glow or other similar product. Tuf-cloth is great in making sure rust does't come back though. If the blade is rusted and is pitting, then I would raise a stink. Good luck. If all else fails, get with Mike. I have talked with him on a few different occasions. He is great, and I'm sure he will help you out.

Jason Burns · Jun 14, 2001

Mike is a stand-up guy and will take care of it if there's a problem I'm sure!
However, I agree that rust can be a natural byproduct on a discontinued knife that is stored in a sealed tube. I just bought 2 Pikunis from Mike at the Blade Show and went through the 25 or so he had left to pick favorites. All of them have notoriously bad grinds in the thumb ramp area and it would not surprise me at all if there were some surface rust. You may want to try a polish, as mentioned, or my favorite light rust remover is wd-40 and 0000 steel wool. I have used it on knives and guns that I have bought with light rust and it works great. MUCH easier than shipping hassles if that is the only problem! (IMHO!!) The Pikuni is one tough little knife!!!

Gene · Jun 14, 2001

Dale,
Sorry to hear about your problem but this is interesting! My Mad Max is "enhanced" D2 and I asked about it several times on these great forums and was told it is MORE stain resistant than regular D2. I know "regular" D2 is on that precarious edge of "almost" being stainless, due to it's fairly higher chromium content but the "enhanced" version supposedly is better at resisting rust due to it's slightly higher chromium content than "regular". My MM has not shown a stain yet with regular carry but I have been careful to wipe it down after use.
I think you've answered your own question on what to do. Yes, a toothbrush will work fine and I would use Flitz metal polish. I've tried them all and it works great.

Knife Outlet · Jun 14, 2001

D2 isn't stainless steel at all. It's a tool steel. It rusts without too much effort. I wouldn't consider the rust a defect at all but, as someone else pointed out, the natural course of events. I have no idea what the manufacturer will or won't do about it but I'd get used to dealing with more maintenance on such a knife than you would expect from a stainless knife. If the manufacturer doesn't deal with it to your expectation then at least understand why. If he does, then that's going beyond the call in my book.

In the meantime you can try pencil erasers, oil and elbow grease or even a rust removal compound which is readily available in any home or hardware store. The best thing is a gum eraser. If that does the job then the blade will be like it came from the factory with no ill effects at all. After you've dealt with the rust pick up some Sentry Tuff Cloth and wipe the blade with it from time to time. It's really a very good product and a small investment to help protect your fine new knife. Take care.

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Fred
Knife Outlet
http://www.knifeoutlet.com

Gene · Jun 15, 2001

Fred,
Points well taken but I don't think anyone claimed D2 is stainless. I know D2 has more chromium than most tool steels though but it is cetainly NOT stainless. I stated it was "almost" a stainless due to the somewhat higher chromium content and "enhanced" D2 is supposed to contain more. But even stainless steels need some care not to stain or spot.

Dale,
I still say to try the Flitz and toothbrush route. It's worked for me many times. A good trick also to get into the grooves and remove the staining is to cut the toothbrush bristles to half length. That way they're stiffer and will work better without any damage.

Jeff Clark · Jun 15, 2001

In the thumb grooves I wouldn't worry about it. Gene has got the right trick to use a stiff (trimmed) toothbrush and polish. On a mirror surface rust would be a definite flaw, in a series of groves it is common and invisible once polished.

wyrm · Jun 18, 2001

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll be cutting down the bristles on a toothbrush when I get home from work tonight.

Since most of you suggested that it's not a huge deal and that it has been known to happen with this knife and since Mike thinks I'm a moron(judging from his reply), this issue is closed and I probably won't deal with Mike again.

Thanks for your help, Dale.

Chiro75 · Jun 18, 2001

D-2 is about 1-2% (maybe even less) away from being considered stainless in its chromium content. I disagree with Fred that it rusts easily. In my experience it stains easily in a kitchen type environment, but I have yet to see rust on any of my D-2 knives. The A-2 knives I have rust just looking at them, but A-2 doesn't have the chromium content of D-2. Stains easily, yes. Actually rusts/oxidizes easily? No way (assuming proper heat treat).

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Dr. Steve Agocs
http://www.geocities.com/Chiro75/frames.html

agocs_s@hotmail.com