Rust under cord wrap

[the4th]

Saw some orange cancer peeking through the cord wrap on a Shipley tanto I own and decided to unwrap the handle. The steel is forged 5160. Here's what I found.
<center><img src=http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=33630&a=208307&p=18931056&Sequence=0>
<img src=http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=33630&a=208307&p=18931057&Sequence=0></center>
The rust cleaned off well with a Scotchbrite pad and some oil but left pits. I think I am going to blast with the finest bead media the shop I go to has and then refinish the knife with sandpaper and Scotchbrite. I want to rehandle the knife. (Probably with Micarta.) Should I use Rustoleum under the handle material? Ospho? Ospho and then Rustoleum? Weld a small sacrifical anode to the handle? How do you guys combat this?

 

[RJ Martin]

Well, the tang should have been epoxy coated before wrapping.
To rehandle, I'd regrind the tang and blade flats until they are smooth and rust free. If you put the slabs on with good epoxy, you should be OK-remember, the exposed edges will still be subject to corrosion.

RJ

 

[Lynn]

Rust needs air (O2). If you are going to put solid handles on a filling of all spaces with epoxy will prevent rusting. I use long set epoxy because I think it takes heat better.

Thin scales and a rewraping of the handle would preserve the origional look.

Luck, Lynn