How to clean up surface rust on a Damascus blade and keep it from rusting again

[Qbeam]

MDS Brain Trust,

As the title states, I have a few inexpensive Damascus blades that have surface rust on them, how do you clean it off, and how do you keep it from coming back? I know to keep the blade oiled, but what kind of oil works best.

Also, can you re-profile a blade without having to heat treat it again? I am looking to take a straight edged skinning profile and put a slight upward curve to the straight edge.

Thanks,

Q

 

[teratos]

MDS Brain Trust,

As the title states, I have a few inexpensive Damascus blades that have surface rust on them, how do you clean it off, and how do you keep it from coming back? I know to keep the blade oiled, but what kind of oil works best.

Also, can you re-profile a blade without having to heat treat it again? I am looking to take a straight edged skinning profile and put a slight upward curve to the straight edge.

Thanks,

Q

I use food grade mineral oil. I have some Damascus kitchen knives. Works fine on the couple of Damascus “working” blades I have.

 

[wpage]

Take some care...

How to Care for Damascus Steel

Polish it Like any beautiful metal, Damascus steel looks even lovelier when it’s polished. If you have a Damascus steel bracelet or ring, you should

vegasforge.com

 

[BFMIN]

light oil & scrub with an old toothbrush. Removes rust even down in etched sections.
Mineral oil or 3 in one electric motor oil.
Do NOT keep it in a leather sheath.
I wrap mine in a piece of old t-shirt that's lightly oiled.
The "White Hunter is Damascus, the Khukhri just regular non stainless spring steel.

 

[wilcam47]

light oil & scrub with an old toothbrush. Removes rust even down in etched setions.
Mineral oil or 3 in one electric motor oil.
Do NOT keep it in a leather sheath.
I wrap mine in a piece of old t-shirt that's lightly oiled.
The "White Hunter is Damascus, the Khukhri just regular non stainless spring steel.

Nice looking blades

 

[Qbeam]

Thanks, Gents.

Q

 

[Garet Jax]

MDS Brain Trust,

As the title states, I have a few inexpensive Damascus blades that have surface rust on them, how do you clean it off, and how do you keep it from coming back? I know to keep the blade oiled, but what kind of oil works best.

Also, can you re-profile a blade without having to heat treat it again? I am looking to take a straight edged skinning profile and put a slight upward curve to the straight edge.

Thanks,

Q

For keeping rust off, I recommend this oil. For getting the rust off, depends on how deep it is. If it really is just surface rust, you might be able to get it off using a toothbrush. If you need more, gradually increase the scrubbing power until the rust comes off.

 

[Qbeam]

For keeping rust off, I recommend this oil. For getting the rust off, depends on how deep it is. If it really is just surface rust, you might be able to get it off using a toothbrush. If you need more, gradually increase the scrubbing power until the rust comes off.

Thanks, Abeaty. I have that oil, I'll let you know how the rust cleaning goes.

Q

 

[BFMIN]

Thanks.

 

[steveh326]

would soaking blade in EvapoRust do any good? I use it for old car parts and it works well. it will strip blueing from gun parts tho, don't ask me how i know