Vantage Pro Rust!

F

Fishstalker

Joined
Jun 1, 2008
Messages
342
I've had my Vantage Pro for over 1.5 years, and it's been one of my favorites. Tonight it was feeling a little sticky and wouldn't open easily, so I decided to take it apart and clean it. What I found was not what I was expecting... RUST. :eek: Granted there wasn't much of it, but it was on the liners and the blade near the pivot hole. Most of the rust was concentrated on the blade near the washer. At the time I didn't think to take pictures and post them; now I can see how that might benefit others.

Anyway a good cleaning with a very fine abrasive eliminated the rust. Then a good wipe down, lube, and reassembly. Now it's back to working smoothly again.
 
I live 5 miles from the ocean, but the knife was never carried at the beach or used in salt water. It was oiled regularly, and kept in a wooden box when not in use.
 
Sometimes you can get surface contamination of stainless steel during the manufacturing process. Small particles of non-stainless steel can get embedded in the surface. The surface oxide layer that protects the steel gets pierced by them and the stainless steel rusts. The source of the non-stainless steel can be a steel work surface, a drill bit or some other tool.

IF that was the cause of the rust, the treatment you gave it should end it.
 
My Buck Vantage Pro had some rust like material on the handles causing a gritty sticky feeling feeling. Was not rust from the steel, but probably manufacturing debris.
 
Thanx fishtalker, I was obviously curious because of your username. That is an interesting discovery.
 
sitflyer said:
Thanx fishtalker, I was obviously curious because of your username. That is an interesting discovery.
Click to expand...

Sitflyer, it's Fish Stalker aka Fishstalker meaning I like to chase and catch fish. Anyway just so you know, I carry a Spyderco Pacific Salt when I'm fishing.
 
Fishstalker said:
Sitflyer, it's Fish Stalker aka Fishstalker meaning I like to chase and catch fish. Anyway just so you know, I carry a Spyderco Pacific Salt when I'm fishing.
Click to expand...

Yes, I figured you for a sportsman "fish on". I was just being curious because I hadn't heard of that issue before.I carry my small vantage pro in NC where it is hot and humid, exposed to lots of sweat and after about a year no similar issues were encountered. Perhaps one of the other responders nailed it. Maybe others will chime in.
 
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