The stubbornly rusting D2

[littlebiglane]

I just cannot stop my Enzo D2 (satin finish) from rusting all over. I store it the same as my O1s and cost it with camelia oil. I have taken the rust off it several times with steel wool (then oiled it) but it just keeps on coming back...ALL over the blade. never experienced anything like it and certainly no problem with my 01 stuff........

Any advice?

 

[British Red]

Are you storing it in the sheath? If so any chance the sheath is damp or corrosive?

Red

 

[littlebiglane]

Are you storing it in the sheath? If so any chance the sheath is damp or corrosive?

Red

I am storing it in its sheath. I had the problem from day one when I got it. Sheath should be dry by now though. Corrosive? D2 Enzo with its normal (if slightly cheapy) sheath. Day after I got it (unused) it went rusty. I guess it could have been initially dampness and the sheath. But can't quite understand why it still goes rusty though. But good call...will look into it. Removing rust with oil and steel wool okay? Its always worked for me in the past.

 

[British Red]

Should be - I use Ren wax to preserve which is good enough for museums. If it stays rust free out of the sheath, at least you know what to do!

 

[spamel]

You should never store knives long term in their sheaths. You should get some shelving up so you can proudly display them in the front room or similar!

Seriously though, I believe the leather dye can cause corrosion, so best not to stow it in there unless you have too.

 

[littlebiglane]

You should never store knives long term in their sheaths. You should get some shelving up so you can proudly display them in the front room or similar!

Seriously though, I believe the leather dye can cause corrosion, so best not to stow it in there unless you have too.

Roight. I had no idea about not storing in a sheath. Its got to be the issue. Suspect sheath. Will try storing it outside sheath and see what happens. If it still goes rusty then it'll be those darn pixies peeing on it in the night......

Cheer guys :You_Rock_

 

[leon-1]

I am storing it in its sheath. I had the problem from day one when I got it. Sheath should be dry by now though. Corrosive? D2 Enzo with its normal (if slightly cheapy) sheath. Day after I got it (unused) it went rusty. I guess it could have been initially dampness and the sheath. But can't quite understand why it still goes rusty though. But good call...will look into it. Removing rust with oil and steel wool okay? Its always worked for me in the past.

Are you 100% sure it's D2?

The reason I ask is that D2 is supposed to have just under the amount of chromium in it that would make it stainless (yes I know stainless will still rust, but it should not rust in any way like O1 would), IIRC it's about 11% chromium in it.

Red's call on the sheath could be a good one. Not sure whether tannins would have that effect, but it's possible that some chemical agent in the leather could possibly cause it to corrode.

 

[littlebiglane]

Are you 100% sure it's D2?

The reason I ask is that D2 is supposed to have just under the amount of chromium in it that would make it stainless (yes I know stainless will still rust, but it should not rust in any way like O1 would), IIRC it's about 11% chromium in it.

Red's call on the sheath could be a good one. Not sure whether tannins would have that effect, but it's possible that some chemical agent in the leather could possibly cause it to corrode.

Well I am hoping it is D2 - it came from Brisa. I have no idea how to actually tell the difference between D2 and O1 really though! I would also hope that Brisa would use okay stuff on their sheaths or they would get more complaints. Does rust like crazy though - a fine sheen of red rust all over the blade. Goes like that within a few day of removing it (oiling it) and placing back in sheath.

Can you (from sight) tell the difference in the two steels?!

 

[andyn]

I agree with Leon.

Sounds more like A2 if its rusting that easily.

 

[littlebiglane]

I agree with Leon.

Sounds more like A2 if its rusting that easily.

But Enzo only make knives in 01 and D2 though.......

 

[leon-1]

But Enzo only make knives in 01 and D2 though.......

Stick it in lemon juice, leave it. Remove it and let it rust. Dry it clean it off and oil it. If this solves the problem and you have a black patina on the blade it will almost certainly be O1.

I cannot tell the difference between O1 and D2 by sight (I think you would need an SEM to identify the structure of the crystals in the steel), but I have D2 stuff and it's never done what you are describing.

If it's the sheath bleaching out mineral salts from either dye's or other treatments you could either immerse the sheath in Hot beeswax and then form it to the knife (it will turn the sheath pretty much solid) or you could use a leather grease to coat the inside of the sheath.

 

[littlebiglane]

Stick it in lemon juice, leave it. Remove it and let it rust. Dry it clean it off and oil it. If this solves the problem and you have a black patina on the blade it will almost certainly be O1.

I cannot tell the difference between O1 and D2 by sight (I think you would need an SEM to identify the structure of the crystals in the steel), but I have D2 stuff and it's never done what you are describing.

If it's the sheath bleaching out mineral salts from either dye's or other treatments you could either immerse the sheath in Hot beeswax and then form it to the knife (it will turn the sheath pretty much solid) or you could use a leather grease to coat the inside of the sheath.

Thank you. I am wondering if the beadblast/satin finish has something to do with its greater oxidation.....

Anyway...its got me intrigued now.....I feel like a bit of a lemon juice test.

Will tell you what happens.......

 

[andyn]

But Enzo only make knives in 01 and D2 though.......

we at least that narrows that down then.

I'm no metal expert but all the knofe makers i've spoken to say that D2 doesnt rust as easily as O1.

Can you contact the makers of the knife and ask for assistance? It takes a fair while, and bad storage of my O1 blades before they rust. So either way O1 or D2, if it really is rusty after a few days, and coated with oil then it sounds pretty odd.

 

[littlebiglane]

we at least that narrows that down then.

I'm no metal expert but all the knofe makers i've spoken to say that D2 doesnt rust as easily as O1.

Can you contact the makers of the knife and ask for assistance? It takes a fair while, and bad storage of my O1 blades before they rust. So either way O1 or D2, if it really is rusty after a few days, and coated with oil then it sounds pretty odd.

have sent an email off to Dennis at Brisa now. I really want this resolved because I wanted to review the Enzo but since I have been having these problems (and I am not saying that it is their fault at all) I have been less inclined to start reviewing it when I have a list of other things I should be testing. I suppose I have always looked after my knives and has a range of steels - both powder and 'normal' but never had quite such a persistent problem. its just been niggling me for months now.........

 

[spamel]

<snip>
use a leather grease to coat the inside of the sheath.

Fnar! Fnar!

 

[leon-1]

Fnar! Fnar!

There's always one

Gold Quality leaderfedt available from Brisa. I use it to coat the inside of the sheaths that I make. It feeds the leather and protects the knife.

 

[sapper1]

Try not using steel wool .Steel particles will transfer from the wool and lodge in the grain of the blade and steel wool rusts like crazy.You can try using scotchbrite pads ,these are made of a synthetic material and work as good as steel wool.

 

[Ratbag]

I've got an Enzo Trapper 95 in D2 which I bought as a blade and then added scales myself. (I knew it was D2 because it was stamped into the tang underneath where the scales are now fitted.) I have to admit that it's been bit neglected, yes, and stored in the sheath BUT it's never shown even a hint of rust. And I even polished off the matt finish too. (Before anyone starts, I'm not saying that D2 blades can't rust, just that mine hasn't despite being, err...well used)

I reckon you've either got an O1 blade by mistake, or maybe a bad sample. Either way, I think the quick (polite) e-mail to Brisa will sort it out.

HTH

Rat

 

[NatG]

Are you sure it's the blade that's rusted? could it not be possible that the steel wool you have been using has been leaving pine particles of wool on the blade and in the oil and these rust when left in the sheath?

 

[littlebiglane]

Are you sure it's the blade that's rusted? could it not be possible that the steel wool you have been using has been leaving pine particles of wool on the blade and in the oil and these rust when left in the sheath?

Not sure. But will test and see. Good thought though.

Dennis got back and said there might, just might have been a mix up in the blades. But it would be nice to make sure.