Knife metal protection outdoors from rust

[eddieb]

Hi all, when out n about for several days what do you do to protext your highcarbon steel knives ?
I personally bring nothing and just dry it and thats work for the most part but im thinking of adding somghing to my kit so would like to hear what you have/do

 

[HillBill]

I use a food safe, dry silicone oil. Just spray it on and jobs a good 'un. Works well.

This sort of thing. I'm not sure if this exact one is food safe, but i'm sure you get the idea.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/ob41-silicone-lubricating-spray-400ml/436FE?tc=MA6&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19823510113&gbraid=0AAAAAD8IdPyupoubLJiV_em1uZzDlpp4U&gclid=Cj0KCQiAg63LBhDtARIsAJygHZ7ndzUz2dv7bb6k8ub9WSwmd6Xm-3bzsK1eiZA3wP2yuwe5P5oaL9gaAq0ZEALw_wcB

This one appears to be though. Not bought any for a while as a can will last years normally.

LUBRICANT SPRAY FOOD SAFE SILICONE [CMM303] - per 400ML - Instock Group

A NSF registered Food Grade Lubricant designed to lubricate, release and protect a wide range of parts and equipment in food related and processing environments.

www.instockgroup.co.uk

 

[John Fenna]

I just keep using it and oil it when I get home ...no issues so far...

 

[Springchicken]

As you are doing at the moment - keeping the blade dry after use - is simplest. I do sometimes take a couple of sachets containing wipes soaked in Ballistol Klever with me, just in case.

 

[MrEd]

I just do what you do then oil with gun oil when home

 

[Toddy]

Unscented baby wipes.
Cleans off mud, gunk, food residue, and leaves a safe residue behind. Wipe with a paper hankie and put in sheath.

Seems to work fine. I've knives that I've been using for 25 years and they're good

 

[forrestdweller]

i wipe my machete with a small rag, afterwards a wipe with a small piece of cloth soaked in old engine oil (obviously not for food-related cutting tasks!; makes also an emergency fire starter) -- as already stated i'm in a rainforest. not tried myself, but i heard of coconut oil for food related blade care

 

[Silverclaws2]

Same stuff I use on my craft and wood workingtools - Camellia oil

In the field ; a plastic ziplock bag containing patch of cotton cloth damp with the stuff, quick wipe, back in the bag.

 

[TLM]

i heard of coconut oil for food related blade care

Coconut oil is the vegetable oil about least likely to go rancid, sounds good.

 

[johnnytheboy]

Napier Apex Edge is food safe

NAPIER HONING OIL

Napier Honing Oil - This includes FREE delivery on all orders within the UK and same day dispatch on orders before 4pm!

a1decoy.co.uk

 

[HorseGuy]

Butchers block white oil (high purity mineral oil) is a good option if you want it to be food-safe.

Sometimes I rub a thin coating of petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) over high carbon tools to protect them from moisture. Especially if they aren't going to be used for a long time. Unlike oils which lose viscosity when exposed to warm temperatures during the summer and can eventually run off the surface of the tool, petroleum jelly is thick and will stay in place permanently.

It depends on what type of tool I'm protecting, how often I intend to use it and and where it will be stored that decides which oil is used. For most tools I use a machine oil, sometimes I use petroleum jelly and if I'm feeling lazy or in a rush a quick spray of 4 in 1 oil (such as WD40) does the job well enough for shorter periods of time. For food-safe tools I always use butchers block white oil.

 

[HillBill]

Butchers block white oil (high purity mineral oil) is a good option if you want it to be food-safe.

Sometimes I rub a thin coating of petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) over high carbon tools to protect them from moisture. Especially if they aren't going to be used for a long time. Unlike oils which lose viscosity when exposed to warm temperatures during the summer and can eventually run off the surface of the tool, petroleum jelly is thick and will stay in place permanently.

It depends on what type of tool I'm protecting, how often I intend to use it and and where it will be stored that decides which oil is used. For most tools I use a machine oil, sometimes I use petroleum jelly and if I'm feeling lazy or in a rush a quick spray of 4 in 1 oil (such as WD40) does the job well enough for shorter periods of time. For food-safe tools I always use butchers block white oil.

Try something like this...Seriously, it may seem on the steeper side price wise, but once you spray a bit on your blade, it stays there. Carving wood can rub it off the bits on contanct with wood, but it'll protect every other area for weeks/months. If you're not carving wood, it'll stay put, for a long time. Thats my professional recommendation. There are other versions of the same thing... some might be cheaper, some more expensive, but this is the type of thing i use. I used to use oils, greases etc... tried many things over the years. Wouldnt use anything else now.

RS PRO Hydrocarbon Lubricant Lubricant 400 ml Aerosol | RS

uk.rs-online.com

 

[forrestdweller]

Try something like this...Seriously, it may seem on the steeper side price wise, but once you spray a bit on your blade, it stays there. Carving wood can rub it off the bits on contanct with wood, but it'll protect every other area for weeks/months. If you're not carving wood, it'll stay put, for a long time. Thats my professional recommendation. There are other versions of the same thing... some might be cheaper, some more expensive, but this is the type of thing i use. I used to use oils, greases etc... tried many things over the years. Wouldnt use anything else now.

RS PRO Hydrocarbon Lubricant Lubricant 400 ml Aerosol | RS

uk.rs-online.com

what's the "normal" purpose of that stuff?! buying online and getting anything shipped to central america is out of option due to the ridiculous shipping and import fees (+red tape), but maybe there's a local alternative...

 

[HillBill]

what's the "normal" purpose of that stuff?! buying online and getting anything shipped to central america is out of option due to the ridiculous shipping and import fees (+red tape), but maybe there's a local alternative...

Many uses. Basically a dry lubricant. Same thing you'd use oil for, when you don't want oil all over other things.

Lots of vids on youtube...

Quick search examples...

It used a lot in industry. It keeps machines running and corrosion free, without attracting gunk. I've used pretty much most stuff.. Waxes, oils, grease... I prefer this sort of thing.

 

[Watch-keeper]

I guess I'm a bit lazy but I don't really do that much, I keep it clean and polish off any rust spots when I'm sharpening it that's about it.
I've never had a scenario where my knife/sheath has been wet and stored for long enough to start to corrode badly.
I have a fair bit of dull grey blade discoloration which could be buffed out with metal polish but it doesn't bother and has no effect on performance.
My knife has a wooden handle and leather sheath neither of which should be subjected to long term exposure to water, I guess with this in mind I try to keep it fairly dry and so far have managed this.

 

[HorseGuy]

Try something like this...Seriously, it may seem on the steeper side price wise, but once you spray a bit on your blade, it stays there. Carving wood can rub it off the bits on contanct with wood, but it'll protect every other area for weeks/months. If you're not carving wood, it'll stay put, for a long time. Thats my professional recommendation. There are other versions of the same thing... some might be cheaper, some more expensive, but this is the type of thing i use. I used to use oils, greases etc... tried many things over the years. Wouldnt use anything else now.

RS PRO Hydrocarbon Lubricant Lubricant 400 ml Aerosol | RS

uk.rs-online.com

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll give it a try.