Recommendation? Why is it some of my Damascus blades are rusting over time yet most others in the same storage case are not. What's the best way to prevent rust?

[metalismybusiness]

Why is it some of my Damascus blades are rusting over time yet most others in the same storage case are not.
What's the best way to prevent rust?

 

[BlindMouse2of3]

If it's anything I'm going to use to eat with a food grade mineral oil goes on my carbon blades.

 

[hhmoore]

Not all "damascus" is created equal. Some are comprised of stainless steels, others are non-stainless with varying tendencies toward corrosion. Using silica packs, or other methods of keeping the storage environment dry, helps. So does putting a protective coating the blade (oil, wax, etc)
As BlindMouse2of3 said if the blade is going to touch food, including skinning or processing game, be sure to use food safe protectants

 

[calm]

As mentioned above Damascus steel could be any mixture, so if rust prone steel is used, they will rust more easily. Victorinox, for example, uses SS Damascus, whereas Boker uses Carbon steel (Maybe they also use SS)

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Also, some damascus blades are not fully neutralized after etching, leaving behind traces of acids that will return as rust. This commonly shows up at the ricasso/handle joint and along the tang.

 

[Ken H>]

I'll bet Stacy has the answer there - the very nature of etching Damascus, then neutralizing makes it difficult to get it really neutralized. When neutralizing I'm always careful not to remove the black, and it's easy to do.

 

[Rob_Angerer]

Yeah, food grade mineral oil.

Or a light coat of wax, about any kind works. Some makers swear by Renaissance Wax, and it's clean and white but pricey.