Rust on stainless steel knife?

[jupitermermaid]

My son gave me an Aquatech T-Rex stainless steel knife for Christmas. I've been on 5 dives with it, and rinse it off and hand dry it (out of the sheath) after every dive. However, I noticed a little bit of rust beginning to form on it already. What's the best way to get rid of it, and how do I prevent more from forming? Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me.

 

[RonFrank]

You must not be drying it well if it is rusting after just five dives. You live in a humid environment, so your knife maybe rusting based on where you are storing it. Leaving it the garage for example will likely result in it not drying well, or getting moisture especially if you dry it in an air conditioned environment, than then take it outside.

SS will rust, especially if you dive salt a lot. However a good SS knife should last a decade or more. You will likely loose it first before it becomes dysfunctional due to rust!

If the knife can be disassembled (many can) that may help. Another solution is to dry it very well, and then oil the knife. Some may say that the oil is bad for the environment, and they are right. OTOH, a light oil will help the knife when not in use, and if you want to be greener, than rinse the knife in a sink well before you start a dive trip.

Rust won't impact the usefulness of the knife however as long as you keep it sharp.

 

[jupitermermaid]

Bingo on all accounts. I store it in my garage, I dive salt water constantly, and when I do take it inside it's an air conditioned environment. What kind of oil do you recommend? It's not badly rusted, but I want it to last forever and don't want ANY rust on it if it can be prevented.

 

[String]

My son gave me an Aquatech T-Rex stainless steel knife for Christmas. I've been on 5 dives with it, and rinse it off and hand dry it (out of the sheath) after every dive. However, I noticed a little bit of rust beginning to form on it already. What's the best way to get rid of it, and how do I prevent more from forming? Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me.

They will rust, even stainless will speckle especially if its banged/coating comes off.

Remove it i use wire wool. to stop more forming, cover the entire metal part in Vaseline or similar - this protects the knife nicely.

 

[fisherdvm]

Cheap stainless steel rust faster than high quality ones. Just like disposable stainless steel surgical instruments, they are alot cheaper than german made surgical instrument for medicine... but they rust in spots - if left in water for too long.

I find that my inexpensive Scubamax dive knife has spots of rust even after 2 morning dives, even before I rinse them off. Heck, it is a small price to pay for something cheap. A little steelwool will buff it off, but I prefer to leave the rust on and put a little vegetable oil on it. It is kind of like the old fashioned browning that folks use on old flintlock muzzleloaders.

If I lose that knife, it is no great lost...... No one ever look at the knife except myself any how. I think to keep it spotless, I'd have to rinse it after each dive... NOT...

 

[dumpsterDiver]

I cover the entire blade with a coat of vaseline grease. It is not water soluable and will stay on the knife for many dives. I often let my knife soak over night in freshwater with my regs. The vaseline is preferable to other greases because it is non toxic and I can wipe the knife off and use it to cut a fish fillet or a ham sandwich very quickly. I also use it to stab fish in the head when spearfishing, so I do not want WD-40 or something like that getting on my fish.

Disassembly of a knife is way more maintenance then I want to do.

 

[Garrobo]

Yes, Virginia, stainless steel will rust. It's called stainless not rustless.

 

[jupitermermaid]

Yes, Virginia, stainless steel will rust. It's called stainless not rustless.

I realize that, Santa, but I want to be good and receive more gifts next year, so I thought taking care of the problem (and my gear) would give me a better chance of reaching my goal. :blinking:

 

[Ann Marie]

I use a light coating of silicone on my knives. Rarely bother rinsing and no rust after years.

 

[Rick Inman]

I use a light coating of silicone on my knives. Rarely bother rinsing and no rust after years.

Ditto. Silicone, the grease type.