Tang Rust Protection?

[MtnHawk1]

I have some knives with Kraton and Resiprene C handles, which are a rubber-type material and not removable. I often use my knives in the wilderness where they are frequently exposed to liquids. I am concerned that fluids, such as water or blood from field dressing game, can get into the tang and cause rust or other damage to the metal. Even though it looks like a tight seal between the metal and handle, liquid is liquid and often seeps into places where it's not wanted.

If anyone seals these areas, what do you use? I was thinking of silicon or epoxy but maybe there is something better, like one of the super glues. Of course, I'd have to be careful to choose a sealant or adhesive that does not react with the handle material and damage it.

Thank you....

 

[Bill DeShivs]

You're way overthinking this.

 

[Shmackey]

You're way overthinking this.

True, but we're on a forum where people will argue all day about the merits of S90V vs S110V, but we couldn't tell you what steel is used in our car axles.

Epoxy won't hurt anything if it makes you happy.

 

[Bigfattyt]

Don't bother. Just use them. Res-c handles are on so tight. You will just booger them up.

Just use them. Don't store them with salt water still on them. Done.

You can use a carbon steel knife in the wilderness for 100 years and be fine.

 

[MtnHawk1]

Bigfattyt, thanks!

The handle/tang seals do look tight but I don't view assumptions as knowledge. I wanted to know for sure so I don't unintentionally ruin some high-quality knives that I will eventually pass down to younger family members.

 

[Bigfattyt]

Bigfattyt, thanks!

The handle/tang seals do look tight but I don't view assumptions as knowledge. I wanted to know for sure so I don't unintentionally ruin some high-quality knives that I will eventually pass down to younger family members.

Which Res C models do you have? Which steel?

Which krayton models and which steel.

Even for bare high carbon.... I'd not do anything. Just use them.

But if you are using an uncoated, high carbon steel, you might try a few drops of oil at the joint. You will get less penetration with the res-c. Careful, though. Krayton is not as chemically stable as resaprine C is!!

Some oils might damage it.

 

[MtnHawk1]

Bigfattyt, the Res C knives I have are Busse-kin coated SR101 and a Busse uncoated INFI. The Kraton is on an Ontario SP50, coated 5160. Since I can't see the tangs I have to assume the coated blades have coated tangs. I haven't read anything that says otherwise.

Thanks for pointing out that kraton is not as chemically stable as Res C. I thought that was the case, as I've read about kraton handles (not Ontario) breaking down in some ways. Obviously I don't want to damage my knife handles by using a product that might negatively react with them.

I did some searches on how to protect tangs with non-removable handles, or if it's even necessary, and didn't find much, but probably not many people remove non-removable knife handles, so they wouldn't know what the tangs look like. I think we've all experienced liquids getting into places they are not supposed to get into, so wondered if this could be another one of those situations.

 

[Bigfattyt]

Bigfattyt, the Res C knives I have are Busse-kin coated SR101 and a Busse uncoated Infi. The Kraton is on an Ontario SP50, coated 5160. Since I can't see the tangs I have to assume the coated blades have coated tangs. I haven't read anything that says otherwise.

Thanks for pointing out that kraton is not as chemically stable as Res C. I thought that was the case, as I've read about kraton handles (not Ontario) breaking down in some ways. Obviously I don't want to damage my knife handles by using a product that might negatively react with them.

I did some searches on how to protect tangs with non-removable handles, or if it's even necessary, and didn't find much, but probably not many people remove non-removable knife handles, so they wouldn't know what the tangs look like. I think we've all experienced liquids getting into places they are not supposed to get into, so wondered if this could be another one of those situations.

The coated Sr101 and 5160 should be just fine.

Even uncoated INFI I've never hand any rust issues with. Even when canoeing and swimming with it, and leaving them wet in the sheath all day...

 

[MtnHawk1]

Bigfattyt, thanks again, and I appreciate your info and feedback!

I've read reports, including on this forum, of tangs rusting under handles, but apparently it doesn't happen often, and I've never seen it reported with Res C handles or Ontario knives, so I should be ok.