Prevent rusting blades

**Mikewood** · 8th October 11, 02:29 PM

I found sweet shooter a few years back and it sounds like what you need.
http://www.sweetshooter.com/. I have been using it on carbon knives and cut lemons and no rust. Just follow the directions and you get a micro thin coating that makes the steel almost impervious to acids and salt corrosion.

**tky58** · 8th October 11, 03:05 PM

If you think you are sweatting too much in any one spot (hyperhydrosis), any spot on your body (palms and feet are most common) try applying antiperspirant to that area. You can also try adding zinc suppliment.

Mandatory disclaimer: this is general advice, contact your own doctor for any definitive care.

Steven Wilson, M.D.

**T-Bone** · 10th October 11, 03:24 PM

In addition to the blade care advice, I would also wax the inside of the sheath.

**bigdad1** · 10th October 11, 04:47 PM

Most probably the sheaths are thin leather in the part that goes against your leg and you are sweating into them which subjects the blades to that sweat. Then since the sheath is wet the bade continues to soak even after you remove it from your hose. I would suggest taking the blade out and wiping it several times during the day and then as soon as you unkilt I would take the blade out and dry it and allow the sheath to air dry before storing. Using a dremmel tool is not good for the blades at all and in fact the heat generated on the blade can change the temper in spots on the blade.

**Gael Ridire** · 10th October 11, 06:16 PM

Thanks for the tips!

**Charlie Mc.** · 10th October 11, 06:43 PM

Good advice so far. On thing that hasn't been mentioned is the possibility that the sheath itself is causing the corrosion. If something corrosive was on the blade and it was resheathed then it is possible the corrosive in still hanging around inside the sheath. It is also possible that if your sweat is more corrosive than the norm it has built up in the leather and that is causing the corrosion.

**Tobus** · 11th October 11, 07:05 AM

Originally Posted by Charlie Mc.

Good advice so far. On thing that hasn't been mentioned is the possibility that the sheath itself is causing the corrosion. If something corrosive was on the blade and it was resheathed then it is possible the corrosive in still hanging around inside the sheath. It is also possible that if your sweat is more corrosive than the norm it has built up in the leather and that is causing the corrosion.

This is what I was thinking as well. Leather will rust metal anyway, but it will be even worse if there is a contaminant inside the sheath, or the leather has absorbed a lot of sweat (read: SALT) over time. The blade is being exposed to a moist, salty environment.

On top of that, once rust gets started and begins to pit, it's very hard to stop. Surface buffing isn't really going to control it. The blade really needs to be treated so that the chemical reaction (oxidation) can no longer happen. Oil is a temporary barrier at best, and is only good for storage. It simply will not protect the metal while it's in the sheath or against one's leg. Wax is better, and a protective permanent layer (like a patina or bluing) is best.

There are also products out there that are meant to be applied to metal and baked in so that they permeate the crystalline structure of the metal, increasing durability (as well as helping lubrication, for machine parts). If your sgian dubh can handle heat up to 150 degrees F without damage, this can be an excellent solution (lots of people do this to firearms with products like Militec-1).

**Rab Gordon** · 14th October 11, 02:26 PM

I've been using Ballistol for a while - wipe some on the blade regularly and pour a few drops into the sheath, I doubt it's as effective as the products mentioned above but maybe safer to use on leather and to be in contact with your skin.
As mentioned above, it's always a good idea to store your Sgian Dubh out of the sheath to let the blade breath.
If all else fails then a titanium blade should resist corrosion better than any steel.