Rust on my brand new Kershaw Leeks

Z

zemin032

Joined
Oct 21, 2005
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3
I got two brand new Kershaw Leeks (1660ST Stainless) about three weeks ago, and a couple of days ago, noticed some small rust specks on the handles of both the knives. The thing that troubled me the most is that aside from being handled a couple of times the first week, they have remained in their original packaging, little plastic bag and all, up until now. I was out of town for the past two weeks. I chose the Leek not only for its aesthetics and the Speed-Safe feature, but also because I wanted an EDC that was low maintenance, as in not having to clean the knife often. Which I thought the Leek would be, considering both the blade and handle are stainless steel, 440A and 410, respectively. What I would like to know is if this is a common occurrence or not? I plan on carrying my Leek in pocket with my keys so undoubtedly it will pick up some scratches, and I don't want to have clean it daily or even a couple of times a week, preferably I'd like to clean it only when necessary, or once every few weeks. For those of you who own Leeks, if you could let me know 1) whether or not you have experienced this as well (the rust) with your Leeks? And, 2) what the minimal amount of maintenance I can get away with this knife? I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance, Z.
 
The leeks have 440A stainless steel blade which is good but not great. It is not to be confused with 440C which has a much higher carbon and chromium content. I don't think it is a big deal. Very few steels are truly "stainless". It just takes some a longer time to stain than others. Wipe it down with a good lube/cleaner like CLP and the stains may disappear. The biggest problem I have with EDC is dirt/lint. I lube them occasionally so corrosion has never been an issue of any consequence.

I have several leeks, rainbow and regular and have not seen any rusting.

http://www.knivesplus.com/KE-1660-Kershaw.HTML

I use Breakfree CLP for my guns and knives and the first thing I do when I get a new knife is (1) sharpen it, and (2) oil it with CLP. You can get it at any gun store and most sporting goods stores. If not available see if they have something called Rem-Oil.

http://www.triplebreakproducts.com/BreakFree/breakfree.htm


Here is a link to steel info that may be of interest.

http://www.agrussell.com/knife_information/knife_encyclopedia/glossary/0_9.html#440A

http://www.ajh-knives.com/metals.html

One of my favorite knife wizards, Joe Talmadge, posted this FAQ info at the top of this forum. His post says it all. Well maybe more than all! I saved it to my favorites list for future reference.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=368828
 
Thanks DGG, for your quick reply and the links you provided, the last one looks especially informative. I will give it a formal read through as soon as I have the energy to do so, I'm pretty tired right now. You mentioned that you lubricate your knives often, in the case of the Leeks, do you clean the blade and handle as well when you do so? And again, I'm not really concerned about the rust specks, themselves per se, but more of what possibly bodes in the future for these knives. I should mention that I found the spotting only on the handles and not the blades. My concern right now is that the handles are going to rust if I do not maintain them frequently. The reason why I'm concerned about the handles is that, unlike the blades, the handles are going to be frequently coming into contact with moisture, and such, from my hands (sweat). And as I mentioned, I plan on carrying my Leek in my pocket with my keys, which will probably scratch the handle, exposing the metal. Now, considering it showed signs of rust brand new (some very minor pits, probably imperfections from the factory), the scratches will make it all the more likely to rust. Please let me know if this is unlikely, and if my fears are unfounded? Also, I'd really like to hear from those who have the Leek as an EDC, and do not really clean it often, so I can tell whether or not this is common (rusting), or I got stuck with knives from a bad batch. Thanks, Z.
 
...aside from being handled a couple of times the first week, they have remained in their original packaging, little plastic bag and all, up until now.
Click to expand...
The rust spotting may be logical given that the knives were handled a bit (putting skin moisture on the handles), then stored in a relatively waterproof container (plastic bag). The moisture was trapped in the plastic bag with the handle on which it was deposited and had nowhere to go. So it started a little oxidizing party on the handles.

My guess is that if you simply put the Leeks in your pocket, the breathability of your clothes and the polishing action of the inside of your pants pocket will have the rust gone in a short time. And scratches from keys in the same pocket will likely camouflage any remaining pips or pitting.

That's just a guess extrapolated from reports of ferrocium rods (a rather simple iron metal alloy) that can deteriorate to a crumbly state in storage, but that last a long time (even as they are worn away starting fires) while being carried around in a pocket as part of EDC gear.
 
You know RokJok, the thought had crossed my mind, that the rusting was caused by me "handling the knives and then placing them back in the bags". I was planning on using one as an EDC, and storing the other for whenever, which is partly why I was so concerned about the rusting. Didn't want to have to clean a knife I wasn't even using. But I have decided to return one of the two, the one that was spotted less (three small specks). I actually cleaned the spots with some WD-40 and a Q-tip . I'll just pick it up if that time ever comes around. I guess I didn't want that time to come and find out that I couldn't, the Leek having been discontinued or made illegal, it's happened before, knock on wood. Thanks for the help, Z.
 
The blades on these are bead blasted so it creates small pores in the metal which can collect moisture. Just use a little flitz, or brasso and lightly buff it out by hand with a rag. The thing with these bead blasted blades is you have to keep them oiled. Remember stainless is just that, "stain-less" not proof.
 
I didn't want to start a whole new thread for this question, unless it doesn't get any replies, then I will.

What size are the screws holding the clip onto my Kershaw Tactical Blur?
I thought they were allen screws, but upon closer look they seem to be torx.
I just want to reverse the clip around to the other side.
Thanks
 
zemin032 said:
Thanks DGG, for your quick reply and the links you provided, the last one looks especially informative. I will give it a formal read through as soon as I have the energy to do so, I'm pretty tired right now. You mentioned that you lubricate your knives often, in the case of the Leeks, do you clean the blade and handle as well when you do so? And again, I'm not really concerned about the rust specks, themselves per se, but more of what possibly bodes in the future for these knives. I should mention that I found the spotting only on the handles and not the blades. My concern right now is that the handles are going to rust if I do not maintain them frequently. The reason why I'm concerned about the handles is that, unlike the blades, the handles are going to be frequently coming into contact with moisture, and such, from my hands (sweat). And as I mentioned, I plan on carrying my Leek in my pocket with my keys, which will probably scratch the handle, exposing the metal. Now, considering it showed signs of rust brand new (some very minor pits, probably imperfections from the factory), the scratches will make it all the more likely to rust. Please let me know if this is unlikely, and if my fears are unfounded? Also, I'd really like to hear from those who have the Leek as an EDC, and do not really clean it often, so I can tell whether or not this is common (rusting), or I got stuck with knives from a bad batch. Thanks, Z.
Click to expand...

I just spray the CLP on and let it sit on a piece of paper towel for a few minutes to let any excess run off. I spray everything I can see, inside/outside/handle/blade. After a couple of minutes it wipe it down with clean paper towel until the towel comes up dry. I don't leave any sort of coating of grease or oil on the knife because I'm thinking that will just attract pocket lint, dust, and other assorted cruds. I don't know how often I do this but I have a bottle of CLP in the shop and when I'm at the workbench and happen to feel the need I give the Leek a little squirt. It is a beater so I'm not very fussy with it.
 
RobT2K said:
I didn't want to start a whole new thread for this question, unless it doesn't get any replies, then I will.

What size are the screws holding the clip onto my Kershaw Tactical Blur?
I thought they were allen screws, but upon closer look they seem to be torx.
I just want to reverse the clip around to the other side.
Thanks
Click to expand...

I would see if I could find a torx that fits and carefully try to remove the screws. If not, then I would see if Kershaw's website has an email address for technical questions or an address to mail them.
 
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