Rust or something from the bronze phosphate washer?

M

MarkusM

Joined
Dec 8, 2025
Messages
16
Hello all,

I recently got this used Benchmade adamas folding knife.
Overall it looks to be in great shape, but I disassembled it and found some blemishes on the blade, both under and beside where the washers make contact with it.

I was wondering if it’s rust, or from the bronze phosphate washers, and if I should do anything about it.

Thanks for any help, and Happy New Year!

https://imgur.com/a/PWGDHja
 
Someone might've used brasso to clean the washers with. Brasso has ammonia in it, which can cause dezincification in brass. Which will speed up the deterioration/cracking of brass.

That or they over tightened the pivot screw, and the friction is wearing the washers, against the blade.
 
MarkusM said:
Hello all,

I recently got this used Benchmade adamas folding knife.
Overall it looks to be in great shape, but I disassembled it and found some blemishes on the blade, both under and beside where the washers make contact with it.

I was wondering if it’s rust, or from the bronze phosphate washers, and if I should do anything about it.

Thanks for any help, and Happy New Year!

https://imgur.com/a/PWGDHja
Click to expand...
Polish the sides of the washers that contact the blade with a Spyderco Sharpmaker XF triangular prism to a mirror finish. Stop when about half of the bronze is shiny. No need for a 100% shiny surface. Polish the blade in the area under the washers if it needs it.
 
Last edited:
tiguy7 said:
Polish the sides of the washers that contact the blade with a Spyderco Sharpmaker XF triangular prism to a mirror finish. Stop when about half of the bronze is shiny. No need for a 100% shiny surface. Polish the blade in the area under the washers if it needs it.
Click to expand...
Will I ruin the finish on the blade under the washers if I polish it with a stone?
 
If you're a gun owner and have some copper solvent... a patch soaked in it, will take it right off.

0000 steelwool and some CLP or other oil, will take it off.
 
Polishing bronze washers does absolutely nothing if the other mating surfaces aren't polished to the same degree or higher.

If the blade or scales/liners are a lower grit than the washers, the washers will just become whatever the blade and liners are in just a couple opening/closing cycles.
 
I have found that retainer tablets (Polident) do a great job of cleaning coins and bronze washers within a few minutes without any mechanical effort. Something to consider. A little water one tablet and check every minute.
 
I use a little Flitz to polish all the phosphor bronse washers in my folders. I also use a scotch bright pad or similar cloth with flitz on it to polish/clean the pivot area of the blade when it gets all gunked. It can also smoothe the action a bit too. Then a very little KPL when I put it back together and its perfect.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top