To strip or not to strip

omenwolf · May 21, 2014

So I have a stripped 16 that is in my edc bag with me everywhere I go. But because I use it so often I am not worried about it getting rusted, I wipe it down after every use. I have a Bk7 that is part of my BOB in my trunk of my car, I put some g10 scales on it and now I really want to strip it because it looks so good with the g10 scales on it and I know it would look even better stripped. But it is a dedicated blade to that bag so it doesn't get used very often. So I am afraid of it rusting being that I live in the great wet northwest. I don't mind the coating soo much but they look so much better with out it to me.

Darksidedenny · May 21, 2014

I fixed the problem by buying a second one wich i stripped,deramped and forced a patina.it lives on my jeep rollbar and no rust.i do oil it every couple weeks though.

JackJ · May 21, 2014

I'd like to tack a related question on to this thread: If I strip the whole blade including the tang, should I do anything under the scales to prevent rust there? I use my BK16 for outdoor food prep, and thus wash it often. Drying off the blade is an easy task, but I'm worried about water getting under the handle, and I don't see myself removing the scales on a regular basis. Do people seal the tang? Or is it not really a concern?

ThePointyEnd · May 21, 2014

Danger: poor grammar ahead...

Rust prevention is a good thing: either a patina (forced[i.e. PCB, vinegar], natural, or a combination) and regular oilings, or a coating, or a high polish and regular oilings are necessary to keep "the red knife cancer" at bay.
--You may notice that only one of these options does not include regular oilings; so it's really a question of your commitment to oiling the blades. Also, for my use, I would mask off the underscale area and avoid stripping it at all costs; but it is an aesthetic compromise. I guess the moral is: it'll work either way, so do what you like!!!

@jackJ: I have yet to hear of an aftermarket, home coating that adheres as well as the stock, however a pro ceracote application is said to be on par.

Dexwithers · May 21, 2014

ThePointyEnd said:
Danger: poor grammar ahead...

Rust prevention is a good thing: either a patina (forced[i.e. PCB, vinegar], natural, or a combination) and regular oilings, or a coating, or a high polish and regular oilings are necessary to keep "the red knife cancer" at bay.
--You may notice that only one of these options does not include regular oilings; so it's really a question of your commitment to oiling the blades. Also, for my use, I would mask off the underscale area and avoid stripping it at all costs; but it is an aesthetic compromise. I guess the moral is: it'll work either way, so do what you like!!!

@jackJ: I have yet to hear of an aftermarket, home coating that adheres as well as the stock, however a pro ceracote application is said to be on par.

Please listen to this guy......... He knows what he is talking about.

On a side note: I have never met someone that knows such extreme details about so many different and unrelated topics. My hat's off to you Sir......... And my mind is still blown away by your vast knowledge.

omenwolf · May 21, 2014

JackJ said:
I'd like to tack a related question on to this thread: If I strip the whole blade including the tang, should I do anything under the scales to prevent rust there? I use my BK16 for outdoor food prep, and thus wash it often. Drying off the blade is an easy task, but I'm worried about water getting under the handle, and I don't see myself removing the scales on a regular basis. Do people seal the tang? Or is it not really a concern?

I was kind of worried about this as well with my 16, I solved it with a little shoo goo and a small brush. I put it on the tang where the scales meet up real heavy and then screwed the micarta scale so the excess mushed out. Waited for it to dry and rubbed off the excess with my finger. The shoo goo seals it up pretty good and is not permanent, I took the scales off about a month of use and it was still perfect. How long it will last I don't know but I know it lasts at least a month lol.

JackJ · May 21, 2014

omenwolf said:
I was kind of worried about this as well with my 16, I solved it with a little shoo goo and a small brush. I put it on the tang where the scales meet up real heavy and then screwed the micarta scale so the excess mushed out. Waited for it to dry and rubbed off the excess with my finger. The shoo goo seals it up pretty good and is not permanent, I took the scales off about a month of use and it was still perfect. How long it will last I don't know but I know it lasts at least a month lol.

That's the kind of solution I was looking for--easy and still allows scale swapping. Thanks!

arskrg · May 21, 2014

If you strip it you should give the logos a good deep etch first.