Why wont this stain come off?

G

getshanked

Joined
May 23, 2012
Messages
5
I received my Bark River Aurora CPM 3v the other day and while I was forming my leather sheath that it came with it appears moisture may have gotten to the blade through the saran wrap (I guess the knife cut it while wrapping, i dont know) and I noticed a few water stains on both sides of the blade. After a quick look through on several forums I bought some Bar Keepers Friend liquid and grade 0000 steel wool and I attempted to remove it. Not only can you still see it in when you look at the blade at certain angles but more importantly the Bar Keepers Friend left a HUGE white haze stain on the blade! I have tried everything to remove it with no luck. How can I get this off? These are the things Ive tried:

- one more application of Bar Keepers Friend, this time removing it a lot quicker because I was scared to do further hazing.
- lime and 00 grade steel wool
- Flitz polishing compound (apply with paper towel, remove with micro-fiber cloth)
- Ballistol and 00 grade steel wool

NOTHING works, just gets shinier on all areas outside of those locations. On one side of the blade there is only a stain close to the edge, running about a couple inches in length, on the other side it is a lot worse, covering nearly half the blade.

Do you guys think Bark River Spa Treatment could be a viable option? I am just somewhat hesitant because I literally have not even cut a clothing tag with the knife yet.


(Any mark you see is a stain that wont come off. This angle doesnt show it, but that haze continues to the tip.)
photo.jpg


(Here you can kind of see the original mark that the wet sheath gave the blade along with the white haze)
photo1.jpg
 
The steel might've been etched somewhat by the Bar Keepers Friend. If left in place too long, or if not used with sufficient water, the oxalic acid in BKF can literally eat the iron in the steel, which will etch it.

BKF works great for rust removal (because it eats the rust), but it's critical to read the warnings on the label. I use water to make a paste with it (I use the powder form), and apply it with a Q-Tip or something similar. Wet the blade first, before applying the paste. Don't apply more than is needed. Rub a little bit, and don't leave it on the steel longer than maybe 30 seconds (BKF recommends no longer than 1 minute, at most). Rinse it off completely under running water.

For a waterstain (basically an oxide layer), my first choice would've been to use some polishing paste like Simichrome or Flitz to remove that, before trying the BKF. If the steel was etched by the BKF, polishing pastes can't fix that after the fact.

Being that this knife is brand new, I think sending it back to Bark River for the spa treatment might be the best option, if they're willing to do so. They'll likely have to sand/grind the blade, to remove the etched stain.
 
Last edited:
Just contact Mike, he'll have you send it back and they'll take care of that in very short order for you! I know, because I had a Journeyman show up with just a tad bit of the etching solution that wasn't fully neutralized, and left a blackened fingerprint etched into the blade over time. Would have looked awesome when it left the factory, because without the electric charge, it would have taken a long time for the etching solution to make itself known...

But it got to me with a rather rusted-looking fingerprint up one side of the blade. Mike didn't even ask for pictures, just asked me to send it back for immediate spa treatment and re-finishing to remove the oxide. I actually declined, I was able to remove it to my satisfaction with steel wool and elbow grease (my knives are users, so it's gonna look worse than THAT by the time I send it in to the spa). You'll have no trouble at all, just let him know what happened, and he'll get you squared away without question. You're going to LOVE that Aurora once you get it into use, by the way. Mine's in Green Canvas. :D
 
Yeah, I guess its just best to send it in... Clearly my home remedies have further exasperated the problem lol.

Thanks guys.
 
I think you mean "exacerbated". It's actually funnier the way you said it, though.

Anyway it does seem to be etched, and a few light passes on a belt sander would probably clean that right up for you.
 
Ehhh....Use it? I dunno, maybe it's just me, but I would ignore the stain and use the knife hard!

Just an option.

Frosty
 
Frostyfingers said:
Ehhh....Use it? I dunno, maybe it's just me, but I would ignore the stain and use the knife hard!

Just an option.

Frosty
Click to expand...

What Frosty said. I live in a rather salty environment (either salt/brackish water or just sweat). Most of my BRKs have stains on them...doesn't effect the cutting ability.
 
Same here, PapaSwamp. Mine all have patina to one degree or another, I just consider it the mark of a knife that's being used like it's supposed to be. Some people don't like it, though, and like a bright blade. Personal taste. :)
 
I just got my knife back from Bark River and its back to brand new condition. Excellent customer service with their Spa Treatment. I am very, very pleased! :D
 
Excellent! Glad to hear it came out well, every time I've worked with the guys up in Escanaba, they've been awesome. :)

There should be entirely more pictures here! :D
 
florida building code....nice back drop. fyi, the talk coming out of fsec is next code update in the next year or 2.....will eliminate the performance method in the energy conservation code side of the code. prescriptive only.

on topic, since it's brand new and came with stains, did bark river take it back and polish it up or send you a new one, free of charge? i always heard brk had the old super customer service deal going for them....did i get that wrong?
 
Oh yeah? I haven't heard about that.. Has it already been approved or is it something they are still trying to get signed off?

The knife came in perfect condition when I purchased it new from KSF. It got stained, then subsequently etched by Bar Keepers Friend, when i wrapped it in plastic and stuck it inside a wet leather sheath so it could form to the shape of the knife. I guess the blade edge cut the plastic when I stuck it in the sheath and it was left exposed in certain areas, causing some water stains. Trying to remove it with Bar Keepers friend (improperly might I add) created the etching. I left the solution on for too long and applied it to a somewhat dry blade. When I sent it in to Bark River they fixed it no problem and shipped it right back. All is good again.
 
getshanked said:
Oh yeah? I haven't heard about that.. Has it already been approved or is it something they are still trying to get signed off?

The knife came in perfect condition when I purchased it new from KSF. It got stained, then subsequently etched by Bar Keepers Friend, when i wrapped it in plastic and stuck it inside a wet leather sheath so it could form to the shape of the knife. I guess the blade edge cut the plastic when I stuck it in the sheath and it was left exposed in certain areas, causing some water stains. Trying to remove it with Bar Keepers friend (improperly might I add) created the etching. I left the solution on for too long and applied it to a somewhat dry blade. When I sent it in to Bark River they fixed it no problem and shipped it right back. All is good again.
Click to expand...

Not that I heard. Just lots of talk its a coming. We shall see though.

Understood. I read your post all wrong. Than you Sir for the detailed follow up. Glad it all worked out. Super nice knife btw, how's that cpm 3v working for you? I haven't had a chance to play with a knife in that steel myself. Thanks.
 
I have put it to light use so far, but am heading to Fish Eating Creek this weekend and to my buddies place out in Big Cyprus on the way back down.. She'll be put to work, I assure you that lol.. My first CPM 3V also, so im pretty excited to see how she performs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top