Some general maintenance questions

[backitupandawayfromme]

I bought some food grade mineral oil for my steel and had a couple of quick questions.
I generally use a drop or two maximum on either side of the blade to any exposed steel and I wipe
away clean with a rag.
I have the following currently knives (all fixed blade silver stainless steel with kydex/abs sheaths):
Cutgeek FB-803
Snake Eye M-9 Bayonet
CRKT Minimalist Bowie

Here's my questions on my collection:

1. How often should I oil them? Every other day?

2. Do micarta or g10 handles require any treatment or they're good to go? Should I try not to get any oil on the micarta or g10 handles? Like steer clear of getting any oil on them? I'm not trying to damage their finish.

3. One last question: I don't own any black blades but was thinking of buying the ka-bar TDI LDK, the entire steel is black. Do I not oil blackened steel? I want to make sure I don't damage a new type of knife's finish when I first get it. Also, all of my sheaths are kydex so if you have any tips for a longer life for these I would appreciate that as well. Thanks in advance!

 

[shane45-1911]

Welcome to the forum.

1) Stainless steel rarely needs to be oiled, if at all. For carbon steel, every other day is way too often - unless you are using them every day. There's no harm in oiling every other day, but once a month is probably more than sufficient.

2) G10 and micarta require no maintenance. Oil won't hurt them at all, but may darken the micarta.

3) A light coating of oil on a coated carbon blade is still a good idea (especially on the uncoated edge) - you won't damage the coating. Again, no need to do it very often, except after use.

Kydex is maintenance free, although a good rinsing out with soapy water once in a while is good insurance to getting out any dirt and grit (which can scratch your knife) that may have accumulated during carry/use. Make sure it's dry before putting your knife back into it.

 

[killgar]

Other than a little lube in the pivot I would never oil a stainless steel blade (and even that I rarely do). I have semi-stainless steel blades (D2) that I never oil and I've never had an issue with rust.

Micarta is slightly absorbent and will absorb some amount of oil (or blood, or food juice, etc, etc). It won't hurt the micarta, but it can stain. Micarta can be somewhat cleaned with detergent.

G10 is very non-absorbent. But if it has texture, stuff can get trapped in the texture. G10 is easy to clean (hot water, mild detergent).

As for black blade coatings, I hear that some can be toxic and are not recommended for food, particularly acidic food. But that's just what I've heard.

EDIT: To add, DO NOT store kydex sheaths anywhere that they will be exposed to high temperatures, including in vehicles in direct sunlight, or during hot summers. High ambient temperatures can easily warp kydex. I know this from personal experience.

 

[Triple_D]

I've never oiled any blade. Oh sure, they might get wiped down (and wiped dry) when I sharpen them. And if they get covered with gunk from use, I clean them. But I've never had an issue with rust on a dry blade, and some of my knives are 40 years old.

With that said, my knives are generally stored in my house. If I kept one out in a shed, or harsh environment (think boat) then a light coat of oil would probably be a good idea.


Oh, and welcome aboard.

 

[backitupandawayfromme]

Thanks for the quick replies you guys! I live in a very damp humid area and carry the two of the three fixed blades on me all day everyday. The CRKT is neck carried under my shirt and the cutgeek is IWB carried between my shorts and boxers. I figure I sweat quite a bit as well where I'm at and being next to my body that I will plan to stay on top of those a little bit better. But the bayonet stays in the house for protection as it can't be legally carried on my person outside due to blade length; i figure that would be pretty safe as it's not in contact with my body or sweat or anything like that. I appreciate the quick and concise answers to my questions you guys. Much appreciated!

 

[backitupandawayfromme]

Also the black steel knife I plan on getting; the Kabar TDI LDK won't be used for anything at all really (hopefully not) the sheath is going to be tied into the laces of my shoes as a backup to my backup neck carry for self defense. Won't be used for food processing or anything of the sort just as a last resort concealed blade, just want to make sure using mineral oil on the black coated blade won't remove the black finish from it, or if oil should ever be used on one at all? I don't know if the black coating prevents rust or not, but I do plan to oil the edge that is sharpened and exposed steel.

 

[Hashishiin]

Hi, I used to oil ALL of my knives from low-alloy high-carbon rusters to BD1N and S45VN. I found that this would sometimes create more problems than it was worth in terms of lint and cat hair. First realization I had, is that doing this to stainless knives is pretty useless, you don't have to do that. You CAN, though, nothing wrong with it.

If you live in a humid place, I would rec that you oil your carbon steels, yeah. It does not sound like you are buying a lot of carbon steel, though, so the steels you have will be fine as they are.

I don't even oil my carbon steels, now. I just make sure they're clean and dry, and put them away. Just let the patina go, and make sure to not let rust form, eye it over and keep some flitz handy, and you will be fine. Fixed blades, too, so no little tang like on a folder to worry about. Overall, I'd say you sound like you will be a fine caretaker of the knives, and you are definitely over-thinking it a little. Nothing wrong with that, though!