Rust resistance in easily heat treated steels?

[Robert_Phelps]

Is there any noticeable difference in the rust resistance properties of the steels that will work with a simple set-up such as a one-brick forge? (I'm going to upgrade to a small dragon's-breath type forge soon, though). If there is a difference, which steel has the best rust resistance, and does it have a great deal less edge-holding ability than the other simple steels?

Thanks for the help

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

All plain carbon steels will rust. The better the finish the more rust resistant. Care and oiling will go far.Treating the blade after finishing can reduce rust a lot. Some things that will help are - Bluing,Browning, Etching,coating with something like the many Brownell's products.

 

[Robert_Phelps]

I know they'll all rust (I live in the humid state of GA and have a 1095 knife I always carry). I was just wondering if say, 01 or W2 rusted slightly more slowly than 1095, for instance.

thanks

 

[Bruce Bump]

look for steels with chrome added. The more chrome the more stain resistant. Nickel is another additive that resists rusting.