Rusting!!!!!!

[knifecollector73]

Hey guys,
i have recently notice that several knives of mine have started rusting. I live in North Carolina, and i understand that its pretty humid, but is there any way i can prevent this? I have wd-40ed those knife and gotten the rust off of most of them. (only three rusted) For some reason my Inox opinel, a Leatherman black coated core, and my BK-2 all slightly rusted. Any advices is awesome! Thanks for your time.

 

[swonut]

First of all, I'll say I use what's closest at hand. If I'm in the wipe it all down mood, then I'll dig out the sentry tough cloth (I keep it in a small glass jar on my workbench), but otherwise I'll grab whatever oil or wax is closest at hand.

However, here's a comparison that is very good that compares the common stuff on the market.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/993968-a-little-rust-prevention-test

I kind of view it like motor oil.

There is a difference, but in anything other than the most demanding environments (hot, salty, humid, etc) they are all better than nothing.

 

[3f8]

Choji Oil. Japanese sword oil. Mineral oil with a touch of clove. Mineral oil is slow to evaporate. Good Choji is a bit more refined.

 

[Ernie1980]

Keep a layer of thin oil on the blades, and make sure you clean them after using-especially if they are carbon steel. I use regular gun oil on my carbon blades

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Focus on keeping the blades as clean as possible, after using them. Oiling them with WD-40 or whatever might not help, if there's still some corrosive material (acids from foods, salt, etc.) on the blades. If any of that is still on the blades, oiling over it will just trap it there and perpetuate the rusting. The INOX Opinel and the Leatherman's stainless blades should resist most rusting from exposure to moisture, but acids and salts will be more aggressive, even on stainless.

Rinsing and/or wiping the blades with something like Windex or isopropyl alcohol helps to remove a lot of the rust-making stuff from the blades. After you're sure they're clean, then oil or apply whichever rust-protectant you choose.


David