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

 

[DanGuy48]

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

 

[brianns]

Soak in white vinegar. Overnight. That removes rust. Then keep it oiled.

 

[BFMIN]

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

If the pattern is etched or stained it will strip that too.
Also the "silver" finished parts will be dulled back to grey, as the tell you, because of the chelating process bringing carbon to the surface.

 

[alucard0822]

Damascus patterns are usually acid etched, and you have to be careful with caustic cleaners or chemicals, general rule, if it isn't oil, don't use it. Usually a brush and oil will clean minor rust, very fine steel wool and oil will clean deeper pitting, but risks damaging the pattern if not cleaned carefully. If it's a good knife the manufacturer might be willing to re-polish and etch it if there is too much rust to clean out.

 

[justiw]

These work well for scrubbing rust or patina. They are pretty gentle with just water and seem to leave the underlying surface polish unmarred. Abrasives can leave J-hook scratch patterns or swirls. You can re-etch in strong instant coffee solution. Do short etches followed by gentle polish to remove the topmost patina until the pattern is stable and smooth.

Amazon product ASIN B00FS0BFJC

 

[Qbeam]

Thanks, Folks. I used 0000 Steel wool and Japanese mineral oil. It came off without too much difficulty. Oiled it up they are put away.

What is the interval for checking oiling status?

Q

 

[BFMIN]

I wrap my blades in an oily rag & then put it in an open Ziplock to keep the mess in. I check semi annually or if the rag has dried out.
My oil is "3 in one electric motor oil", in the blue & white container..

 

[Garet Jax]

Thanks, Folks. I used 0000 Steel wool and Japanese mineral oil. It came off without too much difficulty. Oiled it up they are put away.

What is the interval for checking oiling status?

Q

I am revisiting this thread. I have been reading and found a thread on another forum that did a test over summer to see which things protected metal the best. They concluded that Frog Lube Paste and Bert's Bees Lip Balm worked great compared to most oils. Now his test was extremely harsh (outdoors, lots of rain and humidity). He is redoing the test again this summer and is using:

1 Frog lube
2 Burts bees lip balm
3 my homemade beeswax mix
4 mineral oil
5 bare steel
6 3-1oil
7 Break free
8 Casey sheath
9 petroleum jelly
10 Kroil