Keeping rust off steel

[Blundstoned Love]

I recently bought a forged firesteel.

I want to keep it free of surafce rust - would giving it a rub over with a bit of wax do the trick?

If so, what's the best wax?

(Obvioulsy I'd avoid treating the working face)

 

[British Red]

Treat the working face too - won't affect its function. If you are hitting it hard enough, with something sharp enough, to strike a bit off causing a spark, wax won't hurt it.

Use what you have to hand. If you carry vaseline or a candle or cooking oil....they all work. What do you oil your knife with?

 

[santaman2000]

What BR said. Plus just keep it in use. Steel rusts more when laid aside and disused.

 

[crosslandkelly]

What Santaman said too. Even the oils from your hands while using it, will help to keep the rust away.

 

[tombear]

I've been pleased with the lanolin I've been using on some Historical blades over he last year or two. Makes your hands nice and soft as well!

atb

Tom

 

[BushBob]

Give Renaissance Wax a try. Very good for keeping rust off knives made from tool steel.

 

[JonathanD]

Ren wax is indeed the best. It was designed for museum use to preserve their artifacts, especially swords etc. You can't get any better protection than that, although to apply correctly, it is a chore and needs repeated applications, then polishing and repeat. If you use it correctly, you should not have any sign that it is on there.

 

[British Red]

Of course the first time you use the steel you will strike it off

 

[JonathanD]

Yup, it's only good for storage or display. It is a right bugger to shift once applied correctly in multiple layers, but cutting wood will soon scrape away at it.

 

[Blundstoned Love]

Thanks for the replies.

I think I'm going to burnish it with a wire wheel to get a nice finish and then try a hardish wax like Briwax (furniture wax) , or clear shoe polish and see how that goes.