Rust or something from the bronze phosphate washer?

M

MarkusM

Joined
Dec 8, 2025
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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.
 
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