Abusing my EDC knife

[OnTheFly]

I need input from all you amateur metallurgists out there.

I've had a few EDC knives in the last few years.  While I would LOVE to have one of the more expensive, finely crafted, higher quality American made knives, I'm glad I don't as I just can't seem to keep from losing them. 

My current knife has been thoroughly abused.  A few months ago I ran it through the washer, so I made sure all the steel was oiled down.  A little rust started developing around the thumb stud, but otherwise it was ok.  Then this last week I lost my knife while working in my mom's yard.  After the last couple days of rain, she found it in her lawn. 

Now it has a little bit of surface rust in several spots.  I wiped it off with some steel wool and while I was doing that I verified that the blade is still VERY sharp.  Finally I applied a liberal amount of penetrating oil and let it sit. 

Any suggestions on what else I should do to try to make sure it is in good shape until the next time I lose it?

Thanks,
Fly

[Mudinyeri]

Blue Wonder.  Take it apart, if you can, and soak it in Blue Wonder.  That'll get rid of all the rust.

[OnTheFly]

Blue Wonder.  Take it apart, if you can, and soak it in Blue Wonder.  That'll get rid of all the rust.

Alrighty...where do I find this "Blue Wonder"?  Is it at every/any hardware store, or is it more of a specialty item?

ETA: Which Blue Wonder product are you talking about?  They make several cleaners, lubricants, and protectants.

Thanks,
Fly

[Thanke]

Not exactly the advice you were looking for...but get a Kershaw Blem like this Blur. It is a $35 American made with  stainless steel and aluminum so no worries about rusting. I know that doesn't solve your current problem, but it may help you prevent it in the future.


http://kershawguy.com/products-page/kershaw/blur-serrated-1670blkst-blem/

PS I have no affiliation with them, but I buy all my EDC knives from them.

[ILoveCats]

I apply froglube to mine to prevent rust & corrosion.

[OnTheFly]

Not exactly the advice you were looking for...but get a Kershaw Blem like this Blur. It is a $35 American made with  stainless steel and aluminum so no worries about rusting. I know that doesn't solve your current problem, but it may help you prevent it in the future.


http://kershawguy.com/products-page/kershaw/blur-serrated-1670blkst-blem/

PS I have no affiliation with them, but I buy all my EDC knives from them.

Hmmm...that looks a LOT like my knife. (see photo)    

I can't find any info on whether mine was made in the USA (not sure if some are not), or whether it is stainless steel, but it was oxidizing.

I wonder if some Navy Jelly would take it off.

ETA: @Thanke...I agree with you.  I really like my Kershaw Blur.  FYI I got mine on Amazon for $48.25 in June 2014.   Can't find the Red Blur on Amazon any more though.

Fly

[Thanke]

Hmmm...that looks a LOT like my knife. (see photo)     

I can't find any info on whether mine was made in the USA (not sure if some are not), or whether it is stainless steel, but it was oxidizing.

I wonder if some Navy Jelly would take it off.

ETA: @Thanke...I agree with you.  I really like my Kershaw Blur.  FYI I got mine on Amazon for $48.25 in June 2014.   Can't find the Red Blur on Amazon any more though.

Hmm, I left a Kershaw Leek outside over winter. I found it next spring and there was rust on it...not from the blade or aluminum handle, but from the torsion bar. I emailed Kershaw asking for a replacement kit which they sent me no questions asked, and now it is as good as new. I didn't know they made them with anything else but stainless & aluminum, but I'm not a knife connoisseur  by any means.

[OnTheFly]

Hmm, I left a Kershaw Leek outside over winter. I found it next spring and there was rust on it...not from the blade or aluminum handle, but from the torsion bar. I emailed Kershaw asking for a replacement kit which they sent me no questions asked, and now it is as good as new. I didn't know they made them with anything else but stainless & aluminum, but I'm not a knife connoisseur  by any means.

I might give them a call.  Looking at the picture of the knife in the link you provided, the number on my blade matches the one on the knife in the picture.  I would think that means it is the same material.

Regardless, stainless steel can rust, though it is more resistant than other metals.

Fly

[Mudinyeri]

Rod carries Blue Wonder at his store (Moeller Arms) ... or he did the last time I looked.  If not, you can get it online at myriad places.

[gsd]

I beat the ever loving hell out of my EDC Camillus Cuda that can be had for $30-ish on amazon. It's a work blade, but it's also AUS-8 steel, so it takes and holds an edge extremely well.

Got a different style of open assist to it though, takes a bit of getting used to.