Rusted INFI

Cypress

Cypress

Joined
Jun 22, 2009
Messages
1,742
Every now and then, I see posts about INFI not being a true stainless steel. While I don't disagree with those sentiments, I've put my stripped TGLB through a bunch of Oregon humidity without pause.

I recently went home to Montana for a few weeks for some much-needed R&R in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Unfortunately, the weather decided to throw a curveball at us and we got a solid 30 hours of heavy rain out of nowhere. The rain conveniently hit as I was clearing a snag in the river with the TGLB, so it got SOAKED. Given my complete disregard for the well-being of my knife, this made for a perfect opportunity to test the oxidative properties of INFI.

I left the knife outside on the ground overnight while it was still raining and woke to find a lightly rusted slab of steel.





Not one to leave my stuff in shambles, I figured a good sanding would take care of the mess, so I grabbed a pinch of river sand and gave it an 'ol fashioned.



Good as slightly new!



Fish pics!

Cutthroats:







Mountain whitefish:



MONSTER bluegill on the way home :p :

 
Please tell me you let all the fish go/unless you have frying pan pics! btw all steels will rust......unless the steel doesn't rust...........
 
All fish were released. I would have loved to fry them up, but the cutthroats are a "species of concern" (even though that's the bulk of what I caught), and the whitefish wasn't worth keeping :(
 
Looks like you might have a layer of decarb left on there. Stain resistance may improve if that is removed. Nice pics! :thumbup:
 
Very nice shots, looks like great country.

Off post, but nice watch, BTW! I wish I had bought my Suunto Military before the other 15 watches I hardly ever wear anymore since I got it. I could have used that money to buy more knives.
 
Great pics......Nice to see some beautiful country and you putting the TGLB through its paces. A little maintenance....and I'd contend a little rub down with river sand....would be considered a low maintenance treat for a beloved Busse.
Thanks for sharing....
 
Awesome pix! Gorgeous country!
Thanks for the river sand trick. Never thought of that, adding that one to my repertoire! :thumbup:
 
The only time I've ever seen rust on an INFI blade was when I was in Elk camp in Montana. A comp finished Sarsquatch I sold a buddy got soaked from the snow and was bright orange by morning.

I'm starting to think it's not the INFI.... Must be something in the water up there.;)


Thanks for sharing the great pics.:thumbup:
 
Stump Buster said:
The only time I've ever seen rust on an INFI blade was when I was in Elk camp in Montana. A comp finished Sarsquatch I sold a buddy got soaked from the snow and was bright orange by morning.

I'm starting to think it's not the INFI.... Must be something in the water up there.;)


Thanks for sharing the great pics.:thumbup:
Click to expand...


Those 1st Gen CF SARSquatch were notorious for rusting. Busse learned from that, and did a better job on later CF blades.
 
gusbuster said:
Looks like you might have a layer of decarb left on there. Stain resistance may improve if that is removed. Nice pics! :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Looks like that to me also...

My experience (limited) with stripping is that decarb layer will promote rust directly proportional to how much is left behind after stripping...more decarb present = more / quicker rusting--- less remaining decarb = less staining & more rust resistant...

***NOTE**** notice how rust free your primary edge is...cause it's more finely finished and carb-free also...

I've seen after freshly stripping the epoxy coat, a blade form rust atop the decarb layer before my eyes immediately...

Remove decarb with sanding thru at least 1200 grit wet/dry...start as coarse as you're comfortable with--- riversand, etc....

Finish with chrome polish, like Mothers...I top that by melting in a coat or two of Frog Lube...

or leave it as is, if you like the gunmetal look :thumbup:, and knock the orange stuff back down when it rears its ugly head...:eek:
 
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Fairly stainless after being left out all night in the wet. I have had S30V get fairly rusty in my pocket while working in humid air and sweat.
 
Thanks for pics!! Makes me miss Montana though. Everyone should get to spend some time in the Bob Marshall.
 
Thanks for the great pics!
I've had a stripper get rusty on me after being rode hard and put up wet then "misplaced" for four or so years.
image.jpg
A little chopping, a little sanding and a little 3in1 oil has kept it fine since.
image.jpg
I've thought about cleaning it further but I kinda like the business look.
 
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Awesome pics man. This is what makes your knife unique. Sterile shiny looking knives are fine for display cases. Even then, a good loved blade looks good in that scenario too.
 
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