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M4 Rusting?

johnw

August 09, 2014 22:17

Hey guys,

I've got the LE 556 in M4. Absolutely amazing blade, carried it every single day since I bought it. Pretty much the perfect knife. Beat on it every single day, took it with me to asia, etc.

However, I recently went kayaking in salt water, and took a tumble. Knife is ok, but I didn't get a chance to wash it off in fresh water. As such, the benchmade butterfly on the blade is starting to rust.

Is there anything I can do about this, or is this a send it to benchmade thing?

Comments

16 comments

jonearlt

August 09, 2014 22:35
You could probably use a polish or something to clean the rust off.
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ryxlyx

August 09, 2014 23:41
I'd be careful w/ the polish, as there's no such thing as non-abrasive and any coating can be abraded off easily-- I've taken a couple coated M4 blades to bare metal. If this were a gun you'd try copper wool and penetrating oil.

I've read many times on this forum about how uncoated M4 shouldn't have a rust problem-- those same folks should open up their M4 knives and look at what's between the washers-- it doesn't take salt water to corrode M4, believe me.
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geocyclist

August 10, 2014 02:11
It won't hurt to try scrubbing it with oil and a rag.
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glocker199

August 10, 2014 03:54
Kroil and a nylon gun cleaning brush.
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taxesblow

August 10, 2014 16:04
M4 is allergic to saltwater.
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archer

August 10, 2014 16:46
M4 rusts, so what?

It's not like it was'nt expected, every blade steel has it's inherent properties and you might want to get a knife built for water sports, BM has other options.

If you're really insistant on M4, try coating the knife with renaissance wax, it might give you some level of protection.
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trailboss

August 10, 2014 16:53
quote:

Originally posted by ryxlyx:

I've read many times on this forum about how uncoated M4 shouldn't have a rust problem-- those same folks should open up their M4 knives and look at what's between the washers-- it doesn't take salt water to corrode M4, believe me.

+1 I was surprised to find rust under the washer on a LNIB never used knife.
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georgeb

August 10, 2014 17:29
Try ballistol and some elbow grease, should remove the rust and protect the m4.
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mobilefirelord

August 10, 2014 22:49
Yeah. M4 is not known for corrosion resistant. It is tool steel with high carbon, so it would rust. M4 is ... high maintenance girl friend to me... You need to thoroughly clean when you used in corrosive environment like exposure to sea water. Like others have suggested, you can easily clean them up.

I would say, you should get S30V, or better yet M390 blade
Or buy 2 S30V 556, and all you would probably need is good wash with warm soapy water and make sure to oil pivot and omega spring area.

MFL
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jnewell

August 10, 2014 23:30
Coating doesn't protect the one part of the blade we really care about - the edge. An uncoated blade that gets spotting or rust can be carefully restored to an attractive, even finish. No hope of that with a coated blade.

Try Kroil and a copper Chore-Boy pad.
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loonybin

August 11, 2014 02:02
And once you have the rust off, follow it up with EEZOX or a Marine Tuff Cloth. EEZOX would be the #1 choice.
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otacon

August 11, 2014 04:06
Flitz, rag, nano oil. It should work
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mobilefirelord

August 11, 2014 04:51
According to Mike Ohrick, design engineer in the video of hunt series, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfir9EyEGEs S30V out performs corrosion resistance 96 hours test, 6 times better than D2.

MFL
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po

August 18, 2014 21:27
Yeah, Flitz or any other similar paste metal polish.

M4 is not a stainless steel. It certainly will rust in corrosive conditions. It is not like a simple carbon steel though, where you can taste iron in your food after you slice it.

My experience with M2 is that, even in marine environments like sea kayaking and fishing, if you keep it clean and dry, it will darken on the edge, but not develop brown or red rust. But I'm sure it will rust where not coated if left wet or salty. I expect M4 to behave about the same.
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lightning

August 18, 2014 23:12
quote:

Originally posted by Po:

...

if you keep it clean and dry, it will darken on the edge, but not develop brown or red rust.

...

Ahhh, It develops that nice protective patina that actually prevents out-right rusting...

Good to know, thanks Po
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mobilefirelord

August 19, 2014 00:27
quote:

Originally posted by Lightning:

quote:

Originally posted by Po:...
if you keep it clean and dry, it will darken on the edge, but not develop brown or red rust.
...

Ahhh, It develops that nice protective patina that actually prevents out-right rusting...

Good to know, thanks Po

Black being Iron (II) oxide, perhaps Iron(II,III) magnetite formation rather than Iron (III) oxide, or more commonly known as "rust" in reddish brown.

MFL
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