keeping a pocket knife in my car question.

R

Redgoatee

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Dec 19, 2013
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Just recently I started keeping a pocket knife in my car. I keep it in a nylon sheath for a little protect. I live in the north east. So it gets hot in the summer and cold in the winter. My question is would the change in temperature speed up rusting of the knife? Should I take the knife out of the sheath? The particular knife is a water buffalo horn handled knife with a stainless steel blade. I know some one would probably ask. Im curious if leaving the knife in the car year round in a changing climate matters.
 
It will depend more on humidity and the steels corrosion resistance. Warmer weather can facilitate humidity but I don't think temperature change should have any direct effects. Don't know about how humidity effects buffalo horn but it is WATER buffalo :-) . I usually go for a lower end knife in the car in case it get broken into or stolen tho.
 
I have no idea what your laws are in CA. I'd go with a beater, something cheap but reliable. In the 30 dollar range you can find many options.

Then I'd just give it a good coat of oil to protect it.
 
All I know is that in extreme temperatures, kids and pets can and will die in locked cars
Likewise I m guessing it's not a good idea to leave anything unattended for an extended period of time in such weather.
More so if your well being depends on it.
The yard stick would be the appearance of mirages and frost on your windscreen.
More importantly, are the tools in the car's trunk showing any signs of rusting?
Things are left to rust mainly because of a lack of proper care and maintainence.
Check periodically all things in storage.
 
Buy a stainless steel Mora and be done with it. Put it in a handkerchief and stick it in the glove compartment or trunk.
 
Not sure where you live but yes it can. It really all depends on the humidity. I live in Louisiana and i keep a ESEE Knife in my truck in the sheath. With the high humidity of Louisiana and temperature changes mine has rusted slightly before. Nothing some wd-40 rust remover and steel wool didn't fix. All you have to do is wipe the blade down every few weeks and your good to go. I have to wipe down my folders in my pocket i edc quite often as well.
 
I always have a leatherman in my truck it gets some surface rust on it from time to time but I've used it so many times it's not guna move
 
I keep a Spyderco Schempp Rock in my car.
 
Just check it every few months and sharpen and oil as needed. Check your laws first (RE blade length etc.), but +1 on the Mora - a Mora 546 should outlast your car.
 
You have to remember--your blade has already been through HELL with it's heat treatment and then cold-quenched; both beyond anything that will be experienced sitting in your car . I wouldn't think the temperature in a car would have any negative effect on a decent knife. I don't believe it would cause faster rusting either (unless someone decides to make a purely technical rebuttal to that, which they may). While it may be hot to US, to a knife it's really nothing.

Only thing I would be concerned about--a cheap adhesive utilized somewhere on a cheap knife MAY be affected by car heat. But that's about it. Just keep the knife in the car and don't worry about it. It should take any heat or cold that can be encountered in a car.
 
I wouldn't over-think this one. I have a Leatherman in a leather sheath that's been in the door pocket of my truck for the 11 years I've owned it (the truck). I use it very occasionally, and it's only there because a good multi-tool can come in handy, and eliminate the need to carry some tools.

It still looks and functions as new. It's a stainless steel, but I don't coat it with oil, and I leave it in a leather sheath. Temps here range from below zero to over 100F.
 
I think you'll find Renaissance Wax will protect your knife, it is very good stuff, it seems expensive until you've used it for a while, nothing else comes close to what it does.
 
I'd worry about the Buffalo Horn shrinking,warping or cracking.
Horn is more prone to 'move' than wood or bone from what I've seen & read.(which is the reason I won't buy a knife with any kind of horn on the handle)
Humidity and temp changes experienced in a cars interior over time would make it even more prone to move I would think.
A good soaking in mineral oil might prevent the horn from moving, but ya never know.
If it's a cheap knife I wouldn't worry about it, but if it's a knife you care about I'd find a Multi Tool or SAK to keep in the car instead.
 
8steve88 said:
I think you'll find Renaissance Wax will protect your knife, it is very good stuff, it seems expensive until you've used it for a while, nothing else comes close to what it does.
Click to expand...
I bought the small (65ml) jar/can of RenWax back in 2009 & still have about half left.Great stuff & a little goes a long way.I like that is doesn't leave an oily film or rub off by just a touch or swipe against something.:thumbup:
 
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