Rust Removal After Care?

[clanderson]

Hey guys, I'm back with another question for the experts!

Yall advised me on purchasing this beautiful HC Boker Beer Barrel Whittler about 6 months ago, and it has been amazing!

But anyways, it developed some rust on it a few days ago and I took a fiberglass scratch brush to it in order to remove it (which worked amazingly, btw).
I was just wondering, aside from regular oiling, is there any after care I need to give this newly scratched blade? Or is the surface steel the same as the newly exposed steel?

(Scratch Brush)

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

For the most part, just keep the knife clean after using it. Oil the blades if you want, but keeping them clean & dry is about 95% of the battle. During the day, a wipedown with a clean rag/paper towel and some Windex or isopropyl alcohol will remove most/all of the finger oils (acids, salts) and any other corrosive stuff on the blade. This is what I've been doing with all my EDC knives during the day, and every evening before putting them away. I don't even oil the blades on mine.

Steel oxidizes almost immediately after scratching, polishing, sanding or whatever. The exposure to air (oxygen) will leave the so-called 'black oxide' (patina), which will darken over time. The black oxide won't harm the steel, and in fact will reduce it's reactivity to the stuff that causes rust (red oxide). Not bullet-proof, but it slows it down somewhat.

That fiberglass scratch brush looks interesting; I'll have to look into that. :thumbup:


David