How to remove rust from a blade?

[bush tycoon]

Hi there guys

Hoping someone will be able to suggest the best way to remove rust from the blade of one of the knifes from the Frosts Mora range

Cheers

Jack

 

[Shewie]

A bit of wire wool will bring the rust off, if it's carbon blade you'll have some patina on there now.

 

[bush tycoon]

whats patina?

 

[Mesquite]

It's a discolouring of the metal.

Best example in copper coinage... it starts off bright and shiney and goes a dull brown over time.

 

[Shewie]

Just a blackish mark where the rust has eaten into the surface. Not sure of the science behind it but I've found it's a swine to remove without taking a stone to it.
Nothing to worry about though and it gives your blade a bit of character anyway.

 

[bush tycoon]

thats ok then. cheers for the help. one more question whats the best way to protect it from rusting?

Cheers

 

[SOAR]

Oil, veg oil or gun oil, or Renaissance wax.

 

[bush tycoon]

would WD40 do the trick? (NOVICE when it comes to knifes)

 

[Shewie]

Depends on what you want to do with your knife. WD40's probably not the best if you're going to be carving a spoon or a meat skewer etc, but fine for non foody stuff.

 

[bush tycoon]

so for food stuff use veg oil then?

 

[Mesquite]

so for food stuff use veg oil then?

Yup... just a drop on each side spread out is enough.

 

[Shewie]

If you've been out and got it wet, try and remember to give it a dry as well before you put it away for a couple of days. Dry it and then oil it.

 

[bush tycoon]

Cheers for the advice guys

Jack

 

[andythecelt]

I prefer to use vaseline to protect metal, the viscosity means it really stays on. For long term storage I paint melted beeswax onto it.

 

[alecf]

Also, I seem to have noticed the the more polished surfaces of my knife are less likely to pick up any rust than those that aren't finished to as fine a grit.

 

[Chinkapin]

If the rust is really bad, your best bet is a buffing wheel.

 

[bush tycoon]

Cheers for the advice guys

Jack

 

[Draven]

A patina on a blade is a coating of iron oxide (similar to rust, but obviously a different colour and it isn't structurally damaging) and itself is the best rust preventative measure that can be taken IMO. It will prevent rust, won't come off with normal use, is food safe, and you don't have to do anything to get it but use the knife. It will be much more effort to remove it and keep removing it as well as removing any rust spots than just let the patina develop and help protect against rust.

I'd recommend against veg oil because if it soaks into the wood, soaks into a leather sheath etc it can stick around long enough to go rancid. I use vaseline for blades, as it's non-toxic and will stay on as already said. Lanolin (the wax/grease from wool) is a good natural alternative, as it's also non-toxic, hypoallergenic and won't go rancid. I smeared vaseline on a rag, stuffed it into a mint-tin and just open it up and give the blade a wipe when necessary.

Hope this helps,
Pete

 

[Adze]

I'd recommend against veg oil because if it soaks into the wood, soaks into a leather sheath etc it can stick around long enough to go rancid. I use vaseline for blades, as it's non-toxic and will stay on as already said. Lanolin (the wax/grease from wool) is a good natural alternative, as it's also non-toxic, hypoallergenic and won't go rancid. I smeared vaseline on a rag, stuffed it into a mint-tin and just open it up and give the blade a wipe when necessary.

Here here! The chances of the tiny quantity of mineral oil you'll transfer to prepared food (which will, like as not, pass straight through your digestive system anyway) doing you as much harm as the potential bacteria hanging around in off vegetable oil (which will, like as not, make you feel as though the whole World has passed straight through your digestive system) are pretty slim IMHO.

 

[Chinkapin]

I use Ballistol, which is mineral oil based. None of the ingredients are harmful.