Washington Winter and 1095

MEJ

MEJ

Joined
Jul 24, 2011
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Im planning a camping trip this coming winter ... and all ive got to take in terms of a good fixed blade is an esee 3. As i live in Washington it is probably going to be very wet most of the time. Basically i was wondering if it was going to rust before my eyes... as im not going to be able to keep it very dry.

Thanks in advance


(sorry if this is in the wrong forum)
 
Coating should keep it safe until you wear it off then put a patina on it. Most you can expect is minor surface edge spotting and that generally wipes off on your pants.
 
1095 won't rust in front of you like 5160 does, but it could develop some spotting... It shouldn't be too hard to pack an oily rag and just wipe it down from time to time, though.

I take it you have the uncoated blade? You could always try adding a rust resistant coating, or a patina.
 
I just had my S30V Martin Knives fixed blade get some surface corrosion on my trip last week in some real damp areas in the northeast GA mountains. I had less corrosion when we hiked in the Olympics last month... Higher carbon steel will rust, just make sure to provide a little maintenance. Those silicone rags are nice. I just used a green scrubby pad and a little olive oil to clean it up. A little patina won't hurt and will just add character...

ROCK6
 
Just clean and oil it daily when you're using it. Don't store it in the sheath for an extended period of time when you're not using it and make sure the sheath is dry.
 
Might depend on how much time it actually spends out in the rain versus in the sheath with oil on it. I've never really worried about rust on using carbon steel knives here. It is more a matter of cleaning and oiling them once you are home rather than letting them sit around in a wet sheath. Done both. :)
Rain is what keeps us green! Or so they keep telling me.
 
On a recent 3 day backpacking trip I had my IZULA-II with me and it rained for pretty much all 3 days, didn't stop until the afternoon of the 3rd day, the knife was wet pretty much 24/7 and only developed minor rust, I'll see if I have a picture of it before I cleaned it up.

Having said that, you really don't have much to worry about, if you want to be 100% safe, you could take a little thing of petroleum jelly and just wipe a small amount on the edge when it's not in use.



IMG_1219

Here is a picture of the knife after the trip, just light surface rust, about 80% of it came off after cutting some wood.
 
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1095 won't rust in front of you like 5160 does, but it could develop some spotting... It shouldn't be too hard to pack an oily rag and just wipe it down from time to time, though.
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Is 5160 really that bad? The rag idea is a good one, i think i will try it.

On a recent 3 day backpacking trip I had my IZULA-II with me and it rained for pretty much all 3 days, didn't stop until the afternoon of the 3rd day, the knife was wet pretty much 24/7 and only developed minor rust, I'll see if I have a picture of it before I cleaned it up.
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That is very reassuring.

Thanks for the quick answers... It will be a good test for my knife and i will just have to see how she fairs.
 
I have hunting knives over a hunderd years old made from 1095 and they haven't disentigrated yet. My old standby, a Schrade Woodsman 165OT that I purchased new is nearly forty years old. I have carried it in all weather for years and it still is in fine shape. I do keep a natural patina on it and oil it occasionally. I don't think you will have any problem. Unless you expect a working knife to stay as shiny as a chrome bumper on a '56 Buick.
 
Lonewolf01 said:
On a recent 3 day backpacking trip I had my IZULA-II with me and it rained for pretty much all 3 days, didn't stop until the afternoon of the 3rd day, the knife was wet pretty much 24/7 and only developed minor rust, I'll see if I have a picture of it before I cleaned it up.

Having said that, you really don't have much to worry about, if you want to be 100% safe, you could take a little thing of petroleum jelly and just wipe a small amount on the edge when it's not in use.



IMG_1219

Here is a picture of the knife after the trip, just light surface rust, about 80% of it came off after cutting some wood.
Click to expand...

Im starting to feel like people have exaggerated 1095's rust tendencies.
 
MEJ said:
Im starting to feel like people have exaggerated 1095's rust tendencies.
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It does develope character over time. Like a good friend or faithful dog.

zmcxgw.jpg
 
Like others have said, a little surface rust is likely to be the extent of your problem. If you are really concerned why not treat yourself to a Mora for the trip, it shouldn't break the bank, won't rust and the rubber/plastic handles feel nicer in winter conditions compaed to bare metal/Micarta !
 
MEJ said:
Im planning a camping trip this coming winter ... and all ive got to take in terms of a good fixed blade is an esee 3. As i live in Washington it is probably going to be very wet most of the time. Basically i was wondering if it was going to rust before my eyes... as im not going to be able to keep it very dry.
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The ESEE line is used in the Peruvian Amazon by Randall Adventure Training, I am sure with basic care the knife will do just fine.

Cheers from Africa

Aubrey
 
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MEJ said:
Im starting to feel like people have exaggerated 1095's rust tendencies.
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It just depends on the environment its used in.

I like 1095, and make many of my knives from it.... back when I lived in Michigan rust was not an issue with a little care. Then I moved to a small island in the Philippines and I was amazed at how fast simple carbon steels can rust here. Even with waxing and oils I have had knives start rusting in a matter of days. Back in Michigan I could lightly oil it then forget about it for a year or more, and it would have less rust than will occur in 2-3 weeks here.
 
High/medium carbon steels do not melt in the rain. They may show some discoloration but steel does not oxidize so fast as some like to report. oil your blade or rub it with a Tuff Cloth and you will be fine. The coatings on the Esee blades will hold up fine.
 
Aubrey said:
The ESEE line is used in the Pervian Amazon by Randall Adventure Training, I am usr ewith basic care the knife will do just fine.
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Like Aubrey said, if it have survived the amazon it should survive anything else, well may be besides the ocean. It is hard for me to imagine any environment more humid than the rain forest.

I have a old RAT3 that have used since 2007 and it is still strong, some stains but no serious pitting or deep rusting.

Best Regards
 
MEJ said:
Is 5160 really that bad? The rag idea is a good one, i think i will try it.
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Maybe not literally, but if let alone it'll rust pretty easily, even indoors. You can put a fingerprint patina on it. It's pretty neat to see your prints etched into a blade...

My Kukri's like to turn brown if I don't oil them before storing them in my knife box.
 
I wouldn't worry about it at all during the trip. get a small bottle of foodsafe mineral oil and you'll be fine.
Well used knives look cool anyhow.
1095 is really hardy and good stuff.
Have you camped in that area in wintertime ?
Wet and cold.
Lots of rain coverage needed !
 
Angus McGunnigl said:
I wouldn't worry about it at all during the trip. get a small bottle of foodsafe mineral oil and you'll be fine.
Well used knives look cool anyhow.
1095 is really hardy and good stuff.
Have you camped in that area in wintertime ?
Wet and cold.
Lots of rain coverage needed !
Click to expand...

I live on the Washington West Coast... but i haven't ever taken a deep winter camping trip... decided now was as good a time as any so here i go. Im already getting together my rain gear so i hope i will be prepared.
 
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