What steels stain and rust?

Ok guys how about we help this guy and answer his question instead of pissing on each others shoes. In the time of ranting at him for not useing the search function, you could have already answered his question.

1095 is a carbon steal it will rust if your not careful and will stain fairly easy. That is true with all carbon steals with the exeption of a few such as D2 which is carbon tool steal but in my experience will only stain if you try pretty hard to force it to do so.

Spyderco uses a steel called h1 that has proved its self to have absolutely amazing corrosion resistance I have seen a test on youtube where it was left in a light acid for a few days and came out without a spec of rust or stain.

Kershaw uses sandvick steels that have good rust resistance also but on my kershaw skyline I have found specs of rust after being left in a humid tent over night, but not bad at all.
 
It's not a simple question hence why I suggested a search. What about blade finish? Polished is probly best while beadblasted may be the worst. What about the climate or conditions where you are? Hawaii almost anything will rust but move to Arizona and you may never have a problem. What about blade coatings? How about polishes or waxes? Are you asking about in use or storage? Hell some people have sweat that can almost instantly rust normaly very resistant steels.
 
As rycen mentions, it's a complex issue. I generally answer even the most commonly asked questions for folks rather than suggesting the search function, but that and real-world experimentation are really going to be the best ways for you to get a feel for it. Surface finish, local environment, method of carry, duration of exposure, chemical exposure, and more all play a role beyond simply what steel it is.
 
Well as long as you don't live across the street from the ocean or in the rainforest you will be fine with about any steel. If you keep the blade dry and clean you are good to go.
 
I can only speak from personal experience about the steels you mentioned

154CM is very corrosion resistant. I've got several knives in CPM-145CM (yes, it's different) and I can cover them with salty french-fry fingerprints, stick them in a drawer, and come back a week later and just wipe the blades off: no rust. I know this because I've done it. 154CM can take a mirror polish, so that helps, too.

1095 is not corrosion resistant, at all. If I tried the above exercise with any of my 1095 knives, I'd have a pitted, rusted mess after a week, which would require lots of polishing and probably would still have permanent, ugly pits, even when I've cleaned out the corrosion. That said, it's just fine. You just have to take care of it. Wipe it down after use, keep a little Hoppes No. 9 or TW25B on it, and it won't rust on you unless you take it on a multi-day camping trip in a wet environment. But there are carbon steels that are even worse. 52100 for example. Damn fine steel (maybe even the best steel, imho), but it rusts easily.

If you are looking for corrosion resistance, there are fantastic, good value stainless steels I can recommend that aren't that expensive and are a good balance of performance and corrosion resistance. I'm thinking of VG-10 and CPM154CM off the top of my head.

Cheers!

Mag
 
rycen said:
Do you see under my name where it says gold member? That means I can search. It has been so long since I have been a non paying I forgot if " registered users " can use the search. When you get defensive so quickly it makes it seem like you had an idea you should have searched first.
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Do you realize how ridiculous you sound? If all we wanted to do was "search", we wouldn't need a forum. We would just google everything and be done with it. And your gold member status means what? That you pay to be an a$$ to others? I was a gold member and plan to be one again very soon. I pay for it to support a great forum and meet knowledgeable and experienced people.

If you disliked the OP's thread, just move on quietly...:)
 
My membership status doesn't make me better but it does allow me to search. There are many levels of membership here and some don't allow access to the search function. It is hard to answer with so little info and so many variables.
 
ono724 said:
Do you realize how ridiculous you sound? If all we wanted to do was "search", we wouldn't need a forum. We would just google everything and be done with it. And your gold member status means what? That you pay to be an a$$ to others? I was a gold member and plan to be one again very soon. I pay for it to support a great forum and meet knowledgeable and experienced people.

If you disliked the OP's thread, just move on quietly...:)
Click to expand...

"....Support a great forum and meet knowledgeable and experienced people."
Click to expand...

....And have access to a vast array of archived information that's available using the "Search" function. ;)
 
Might have changed recently, but I believe the search function is available to everyone including a Registered User.

But there are still many other good reasons to support BF with a paying membership.
 
yup- I recently went gold, but was able to search prior to that.

And I'm not a metalurgist, but simply speaking more carbon= more rust potential. Kinda like posting general ?'s in general discussion= flame potential
 
Even if it were impossible to use the search function, it's not like its impossible to use Google to search BF for you.

And threads like this started by those who don't know how to read before posting are why I don't frequent this forum as much...
 
Relax. He asked a question. Legitimate answers include ...

What kind of use and environment are you considering?
Have you browsed older threads with the search function?
(This helps us focus on what you need us to provide,
not necessarily starting from carbon / stainless definitions.)

* ****** **** ****** *

Respond to the original poster. Responding acrimoniously to another member whose answer offends you will only start a flame war. Not good.

* ****** **** ****** *

Registered Users can use our upgraded Search.
 
Any and every alloy made primarily of iron will eventually exhibit signs of corrosion, if abused/neglected long enough. Low-alloy steels can indeed "go dull" quicker than "stainless" steels due to relatively minor corrosion on the very edge. So what? Keep 'em clean and touch 'em up a little more often.
 
Thanks....

It is of my opinion that quite a few members on Blade Forums are rather rude and think a bit too highly of themselves. I have recently joined and new to forums ,in general, and every thread I started was
responded with rude, childish, sarcastic comments. I think some need to keep things in perspective here. I mean come on already, this a a forums about knifes!! It is not your wife, family and childern. Its
only a hobby, guys.
 
Stick around. It'll get better. I think some folks have just had a bad week or two. :o
 
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