Washington Winter and 1095

If I'm going to be in a lot of wet, I usually just take something in stainless or D2. If I bring carbon, like was said I usually bring a little ziplock with some oil soaked steel wool or something. The main think I dislike about carbon in really wet is that the corrosion seems to dull the edge unless I'm fairly meticulous about drying it off after using it. Sometimes I'm in a hurry and those times I'd rather bring something I can have slightly wet, or a little food on and put it back rather than have to stop and specially clean. But it also depends on how much I'm gonna use the knife or how many creeks I'm gonna have to cross etc.

On several of my carbon blades I have had these sheaths made that have a flap, and then if you are going to have a lot of rain or something, unless its pouring you're OK

Great pic Codger!
 
hollowdweller said:
... Great pic Codger!
Click to expand...

It was raining the day I butchered that buck. Notice the water beads on the blade? The deer fat kept it lubed. Bacon fat works while camping if you don't have oil. Even nose oil works. But I never put it away dirty. That knife has butchered well more than a hundred deer and been out in all kinds of weather (and on more canoe trips than I can count). Don't like the patina? Just scrub it down with oil and fine steel wool or a 3M scouring pad when you get home. But patina is protective like bluing on a gun. Rust is only a problem on carbon steel if you leave it there a long time. Or if you store it in a damp leather sheath. But we don't do that, do we? By the way, by the serial number, that knife was made in 1969. I bought it new in 1970 or 1971.
 
Put some mineral oil (1 oz would be more than enough) in a small plastic container and bring a rag. When you're done using the knife wipe it with an oily rag. The worst you'll get is surface rust and you can knock that off by using the knife, sharpening it, or using a polish like flitz when you get home. 1095 is a very common blade steel. It wouldn't be if it rusted away on everyone.
 
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