How to Care for Carbon Steel Knives

J

joshuadbr

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Aug 28, 2015
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I have recently bought some new knives, and they're my first carbon steel knives. I know that I need to put some kind of oil on them to keep them from rusting, and I know about a couple of things that I can use, such as: vaseline, olive oil, vegetable oil, but I don't know much more than that. I would really like to know the following things:

1- What is best to put on the blade? What stays on and what does a good job?
2- How often should I lubricate the blade? Should I do it daily; should I do it less often than that; or do I have to lubricate it every time I wipe it clean?
3- How can I tell if it's rusting or simply discoloring and how quickly can it rust? I saw some dark spots on the blade of one of my carbon steel knives, and I was concerned. I know that they will discolor, but I'd like to be able to tell if it's harmless or if it's something that needs to be taken care of. Is there anything other than rust that I need to worry about?
4- I'm sure there is more to know; so, please feel free, or, rather, feel obligated to chime in with whatever other questions you may have or whatever advice you have, even if I haven't asked all the right questions. I'd really love to know how to properly care for my knives, and, trust me: I'm not worried about discoloration. I just don't want my knives to actually get damaged. Well, I don't want them to get corroded; they'll get damaged, or I'm not a good knife owner.
 
Don't overthink, unless you are in an ocean front environment or the jungle corrosion should not be a major issue.

I live in a humid environment and have few issues with corrosion just wiping down with a rag when I get home.
 
collim1 said:
Don't overthink, unless you are in an ocean front environment or the jungle corrosion should not be a major issue.

I live in a humid environment and have few issues with corrosion just wiping down with a rag when I get home.
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Make sure it is dry when your store it, and don't store it In a leather sheath. Leather can hold moisture for a long time.
 
OK, thanks. That leads to another question: how do you dry your sheath if it's wet? Both of my knives have kydex sheaths. I got one dirty and rinsed it out. After that I've left it sit knife-less for about a day, and I'm still not sure if it's dry. Do you just blow it out with a hair dryer, or is their something I might be able to stick inside and wipe it out with?
 
In direct defiance to your instructions, Blues Bender, how long do you think a carbon steel blade can be wet before it rusts. Also, I'll stop caring... a little.
 
Just don't store it in a fish tank and you'll be fine. Surface rust if ok, pitting is what you should be worried about. If your blade starts pitting, you probably were storing it in a fish tank;)

If you're really worried, force a patina on it with mustard or something. It'll help keep the rust away.
 
Don't use olive oil as a coating - it's salty and acidic and will be no friend to your blade. Camellia oil, 3-in-1, & Renaissance wax work well as coatings (to name a few). If you wipe the blade and the cloth you use picks up a reddish color - that's rust. Anything else should be OK (i.e. dark colored material on the cloth is fine). If you detect rust, surface occurrences can be easily treated with a polish like Flitz. If discoloration is not an issue, wiping the knife dry after use and storing it sans sheath should do just fine (unless you're near the ocean, with that ol' salt air, oiling only occasionally should be :thumbup:). Depending on the use it gets, I like to force a patina on a carbon steel knife - using apple cider vinegar. The result, if done well, is a dramatic darkening that is very beautiful and acts to protect the steel.

Should you be interested, here's a link for more detail: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/928315-Get-A-Deep-Even-Black-Patina-On-1095-Carbon-Steel

On the utility of a variety of different coatings (under "conditions of neglect"), you can check this video out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7ZThs1y8xs
 
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I don't oil my carbon blades.

I will put a drop of oil on the pivots of carbon steel slip joints occasionally (usually they are good for a few months).

If I know I will be camping in rain, or snow, or sleet, I take the knife out when I get home. If there is rust, I will rub it with an oxidizer/acid like lemon juice on a q tip or paper towel, and remove any tiny spots of red rust I find.

I like the color carbon steel takes as it ages, and is used.
 
This.......the only time to worry a bit is when putting them away for long term. Otherwise just wipe it down once in a while.

Mike

Blues Bender said:
Carbon steel care 101: stop caring:D

It takes serious neglect (or prolonged wetness) to start rusting carbon steel.
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joshuadbr said:
In direct defiance to your instructions, Blues Bender, how long do you think a carbon steel blade can be wet before it rusts. Also, I'll stop caring... a little.
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You planning on storing it underwater? Wet knife? You wearing pants? Wipe it off.

If it's something you are really fixated on, there is a very simple solution.

Stainless.
 
I have a good bit of carbon steel knives and the only problems I ever had with rust is when I either lost track of them or stored them without wiping them down.
My GEC 15 had a nice fingerprint etched on the blade when it was MIA for a few weeks.

Carbon steel is not difficult to maintain at all with a little bit of vigilance and attention to detail.
 
Some people will put a patina on the blade to help protect it, which is quite common if you head over to the Traditional knife forum. I have also heard of a few of those guys using chapstick on their blades to protect the blade. And of course wiping down the blade and oiling it.

Also just a little bit of advice don't workout with a carbon steel knife in your pocket on a almost daily basis if you sweat a lot. It makes it quite difficult to keep the blade spotless. I learned that one the hard way. I don't think my GEC with 01 steel didn't like period of time.
 
I use a rag...

More precisely, I spray my axes with wd40 and wipe them down good after use, and then I'll keep that rag sitting around, and without respraying i'll use that same rag to wipe down any carbon blades as needed (provided they aren't used for food)... Respray the axes, reuse the rag, repeat as needed, until the rag is too funny to use anymore then I toss it (into a fire) and start over...

Otherwise I just wipe them dry, kitchen Knives (carbon or stainless), I don't wash in the dishwasher, I hand wash and dry right away. No problem yet.
 
marcinek said:
You planning on storing it underwater? Wet knife? You wearing pants? Wipe it off.

If it's something you are really fixated on, there is a very simple solution.

Stainless.
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OK, I only have one simple question left: What do you do when your sheath gets wet? I know the answer is pretty obvious: dry it. I'd just like to know if there's any easy and simple way to dry out a kydex sheath. Mine got wet and stayed wet a lot longer than I was expecting; so, I was just curious if it's much of a problem since storing it in a wet sheath would keep the knife constantly wet.
 
joshuadbr said:
OK, I only have one simple question left: What do you do when your sheath gets wet? I know the answer is pretty obvious: dry it. I'd just like to know if there's any easy and simple way to dry out a kydex sheath. Mine got wet and stayed wet a lot longer than I was expecting; so, I was just curious if it's much of a problem since storing it in a wet sheath would keep the knife constantly wet.
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Take the knife out of the sheath. Leave the sheaths out in the sun and wipe the knife on your pants.


When the sheath dries out reunite them
 
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