Rust spots on CRKT M-16?

[SarcoBlaster]

My friend has noticed some brown spots on the blade of his M-16 13Z and they weren't there when I sent it to him. It sounds to me like it's rust. Anybody else have this problem? Since he lives in San Diego, could the higher salt content in the air be playing a role in the spots developing since SD's right by the coast? Would Tuf-Cloth get rid of the spots or would it just prevent it from spreading more and prevent new spots from appearing? If Tuf-Cloth doesn't take the spots off, what does? WD-40? I appreciate any help you guys can give. Thanks.

 

[FC Yuk]

I believe the M16 is bead-blasted so therefore, it will produce small rust spots just from moisture. However, they are easily removed, just use Flitz or some Break-free.

 

[AlphalphaPB]

The first thing I do is I rub really hard with the Tuf-Cloth. This usually gets rid of light rusting. Beyond that, I'm lost, I've never had heavy rusting on the blade. I'd probably sand it lightly or use a bit of Flitz.

The M16's beadblasted AUS-6M blade is a real mofo when it comes to rusting, I've never had a faster-rusting blade.

 

[caliban]

As the M-16 are highly recommended here on bladeforums i was thinking about getting one. Now that I´ve read another time about its problems with rust i was wondering weather I´d be better of with spending a bit more on the LE or Mil models, because they have coated blades. Would the coating prevent rust?

 

[SOX]

I originally got the standard M16-13 and it got the rust spots. I sent it in, and the sent me the police model with the teflon coating. I had no problem with that one, and still carry it from time to time. If you get the standard model, just use some Flitz gun wax and coat the blade from time to time. Reagan

 

[calyth]

Flitz will do the trick.

 

[AlphalphaPB]

Originally posted by caliban
As the M-16 are highly recommended here on bladeforums i was thinking about getting one. Now that I´ve read another time about its problems with rust i was wondering weather I´d be better of with spending a bit more on the LE or Mil models, because they have coated blades. Would the coating prevent rust?

If you're in a humid environment or sweat a lot, you might want to wipe it down with Tuf-Cloth once a day. The coated versions should be coated with Teflon and I don't think this kind of coating will hold up well (though I haven't tried for myself). It will start looking ugly after some use, so then you'd still have to worry about rust.

If you get a zytel version as a beater knife, the rust in the little holes on the handle won't really matter. I just wipe mine down every 3-4 carries. It's been through hell and back, so little rust patches don't really worry me.

 

[ian_j]

i think it just matters where you live. Here in kansas the humidity is next to non-exhistant. My m-16 hasn't rusted nor have any of my other knives.

 

[Allen E. Treat]

Like the rest said : Flitz -OR-
even common brass polish will do
the job. A fact : "Tropical" climate(s) will do this to just about ANY metal. I'd suggest your friend packing his knive(s) in a box/container with dessicant cannisters inside Dessicant absorbs moisture. Check out SMKW -or- their website :

www.eknifeworks.com

They're worth their weight in GOLD for those in tropical climes
( like me in S. Florida )

AET

 

[moosedude]

I got my crkt m-16 really rusted during a recent trip to an island in the keys and the blade is rusted on both sides of the cutting edge, there are a lot of rust spots on the blade and the mechanism is rusted as well. First off how do I clean the mechanism, and secondly if I do what was mentioned above how well will the knife recover. Will the rust spots be evident after I clean it, and will the mechanism go back to normal. I don't have any experience with rusting knives and I don't know how it will turn out after I clean it.

 

[Confederate]

The new M16-13Zs are now made with AUS4 blades. Mine all have AUS6 blades. The one I use Has never had any problems with rust, though the blade is bead blasted. The knife is well made and inexpensive, but I suppose many here wouldn't bother with it because of the blade material and the Teflon bearings. Bead blasting is just asking for rust, but unless you're going to polish the entire blade, your best bet is to use naval jelly to get the rust off. I can't imagine AUS4 rusting easily, though. Sometimes the salt in peoples' hands can start corrosion. It's no big deal in a knife like this, though.