rust resistance in S30V

S

samphire

Joined
Sep 10, 2005
Messages
34
Just how careful do you have to be in protecting an S30V blade against rust formation?
I've been used to SAKs, which are very resilient against lying around in a tent or being used on the beach. But I have finally done it and spent the money on a Spyderco blade.
It is a truly wonderful knife but I do get a little paranoid about the possibility of it developing the orange peril.
What is your experience of this (and similar) steel?
 
S30V doesn't need any special care.

If you use it to cut acidic food, or it gets salt water or blood on it, wipe it off. That's about it.

There is no reason to worry at all.
 
The corrosion resistance of S30V is much lower than the steel used in SAK's as are all similar high carbon steels. That being said it generally responds to water well, just avoid salt water and acids and similar. Just rinse with fresh water and dry.

-Cliff
 
I have carried daily a S30V Rat Trap since Blade 2005. I live in the heat and humidity of Alabama and I tend to perspire heavily also, so it has done considerable time in sweat-soaked jeans. It is not the most rust-resistant stainless I have ever owned, but an occasional wipedown has kept it almost rust free.
 
Are there any oils/lubricants that you can wipe on the blade that would help against corrosion?
 
Yes, however if the blade is used they are quickly polished off from contact with the material so oils and such are useful only for longer periods of inactivity.

-Cliff
 
S30V has treated me well rust wise. I have four S30V knives, I suppose. Only my Dodo has had rust. I didn't EDC it for a month and a few days ago looked at it to find specs of rust on the edge. Only took me a minute to take off, so no biggie.
 
I've carried an S30V mini-Rittergrip every day for two years now in my right front pocket. It was there during the two weeks of rains and sweat at my son's Boy Scout summer camp. It gets wet while cleaning/filling buckets for my horses or hosing down cars, tractors, and other stuff. It gets lots of use cutting everything from small tree limbs and thistle tops (to remove flowers) to meat, veggies, and bagles & cream cheese. For the most part all I do is wipe off the blade with my fingers when it gets gunky, though sometimes I'll take a wet wipe or soap & water to it for nasties (like meat). No oil (though the other day for the very first time I put a tiny drop of oil on the part of the blade base that contacts the axis lock bar - not for any reason - it just seemed the thing to do). No grease. No wax ... and there is no rust or corrosion - Not even a spec. The blade is as fresh as the day it shipped to me.
 
All the Spyderco's in S30V I EDC have never gotten any rust. The only knife in S30V that has gotten rust was a Lone Wolf T2 which was bead blasted, once I removed the speck it never came back. What I'm trying to say is Spyderco's knives in S30V and a clean finish have very good rust resistance.
 
I have 4 S30v knives, ive only seen a spot of rust on one of them, less than the size of a baby pea, and ive had the blade for 2 years give or take, its on a strider and i think its a "strider mark" rather than regular rust. lol. i wipe that blade off with break free CLP and a cleaning cloth and its good for a week or so, on any knife i wipe em off once a week or so and none have developed any rust. the strider came with the spot. lol.
 
My s30v knife rides IWB and it does get sweaty. I wipe it dry/clean and experienced no rust whatsoever. Finish is stonewash.
 
I've got a couple in S30V, and one is probably my most used/carried knife: Spyderco Military.
Never have I had a problem with rust. I treat it much the same as any other knife, and it performs just fine. It definitely does not stain easily, that's for sure.
Then again, I'm used to using carbon steels and tool steels (I carry slipjoints a lot, and most of them are old-fashioned 1095, Case CV, D2, A2, etc.). I will say, though, that I've had a couple of rust issues with A2 on one fixed blade I own and use. Then again, that was most likely due to my behavior, not the steel; I gave the blade a cursory wipe-down, dropped it back into its sheath, and it totally slipped my mind that I should have taken it back out and cleaned it before storing it that way for a couple days.



...... 1000th post!!! :D :D :D
 
I have a habit of wiping my blade off w/ my shirt. pretty much every time I open it:o ................even if I don't use it..................:o Am I the only one who does this? lol After finding a tiny spot of rust on my M1A I went anal on all my guns and knives............ Z

oyea, I use a sylicone rag too sometimes
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top