Cleaning up DLC...it's easy!

Discuss Spyderco's products and history.
User avatar
TkoK83Spy
Member
Posts: 12446
Joined: Mon Sep 17, 2018 5:32 pm
Location: Syracuse, NY

Cleaning up DLC...it's easy!

#1

Post by TkoK83Spy »

I know there's a lot of misconception around DLC. Be it, that it scratches (which I will prove below, is really just the material you are cutting that you see on the blade) or that people don't like how it looks when it's worn and appears uneven and grey in color, or that people just don't know how to clean it up and get it back to black, or fear it's some kind of time consuming process to do so.

Below are a few before and after pictures of a couple knives I used at work this past week. The clean up only took me about 10 minutes, and they look brand new! All I do is take a small drop of Flitz, put it on a rag and buff out the material marks on each side of the blade. Buff off the remaining residue after a minute or two. Then I do the same, a small drop of mineral oil on a rag and buff the blade back to a nice, shiny black. Simple as that! I was hoping a few pictures of the difference could really change peoples minds on DLC. I find it to be a fantastic coating, that also protects in corrosion resistance and even more so helps with not scratching as easily as satin blades.

Resized_20191121_191334.jpeg
Resized_20191121_191505.jpeg
Resized_20191121_191358.jpeg
Resized_20191121_191524.jpeg
15 :bug-red 's in 10 different steels
1 - Bradford Guardian 3 / Vanadis 4E Wharnie
1 - Monterey Bay Knives Slayback Flipper / ZDP 189
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31/Macassar Ebony Inlays
1 - CRK Large Inkosi Insingo/ Black Micarta Inlays
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31 Insingo/Magnacut

-Rick
User avatar
TkoK83Spy
Member
Posts: 12446
Joined: Mon Sep 17, 2018 5:32 pm
Location: Syracuse, NY

Re: Cleaning up DLC...it's easy!

#2

Post by TkoK83Spy »

Resized_20191121_191425.jpeg
Resized_20191121_191551.jpeg
Resized_20191121_191444.jpeg
Resized_20191121_191615.jpeg
Resized_20191121_191915.jpeg
15 :bug-red 's in 10 different steels
1 - Bradford Guardian 3 / Vanadis 4E Wharnie
1 - Monterey Bay Knives Slayback Flipper / ZDP 189
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31/Macassar Ebony Inlays
1 - CRK Large Inkosi Insingo/ Black Micarta Inlays
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31 Insingo/Magnacut

-Rick
prndltech
Member
Posts: 3128
Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2019 10:53 am
Location: 512

Re: Cleaning up DLC...it's easy!

#3

Post by prndltech »

Looking good. My contribution to this is that I use ballistol as a one step clean and lube and it has brought back DLC blades to that nice, new, satin black look many times.

I’m not saying it’s better than the products you mentioned, It just has many uses for me as I use it to clean firearms, some leather stuff, etc... so for those of you that have it on hand, if you ain’t tried using it for cleaning/restoring your DLC knives, it works!
- Shannon

MNOSD 0006
User avatar
GiftedMisfit
Member
Posts: 1079
Joined: Thu Dec 06, 2018 10:20 am
Location: Ontario, Canada. Earth

Re: Cleaning up DLC...it's easy!

#4

Post by GiftedMisfit »

I just use mineral oil and buff it out. Works nice. Thanks for clearing this up. I know I was sceptical at first with DLC
:cussing
ladybug93 wrote: And now I'm wondering how a translator will render "butt hurt"
User avatar
Evil D
Member
Posts: 27147
Joined: Sat Jun 26, 2010 9:48 pm
Location: Northern KY

Re: Cleaning up DLC...it's easy!

#5

Post by Evil D »

This has been my experience as well. I cut a cable with my Autonomy and nearly fainted when I saw the blade but nearly all of what looked like scratches cleaned off.
All SE all the time since 2017
~David
User avatar
Pelagic
Member
Posts: 2440
Joined: Fri Apr 27, 2018 5:49 pm
Location: East Coast/Nomadic

Re: Cleaning up DLC...it's easy!

#6

Post by Pelagic »

I hate feeling the blade of my 4V Shaman and feeling the surface rust all over it. I'm guessing there's no way to get rid of it without removing the DLC in the process?

I may just OSPHO it and then tuff glide the blade or paint it.

The only reason I'm disappointed is that I've never really used the knife. Just a few days of sweat-free pocket time.
Pancake wrote:
Wed Aug 14, 2019 10:20 pm
Are you a magician? :eek:
Nate wrote:
Thu Apr 04, 2019 4:32 pm
You're the lone wolf of truth howling into the winds of ignorance
Doeswhateveraspidercan wrote:
Sat Jun 15, 2019 9:17 pm
You are a nobody got it?
User avatar
Mzen
Member
Posts: 84
Joined: Sun Nov 26, 2017 5:01 am

Re: Cleaning up DLC...it's easy!

#7

Post by Mzen »

Pelagic wrote:
Sun Nov 24, 2019 6:23 am
I hate feeling the blade of my 4V Shaman and feeling the surface rust all over it. I'm guessing there's no way to get rid of it without removing the DLC in the process?

I may just OSPHO it and then tuff glide the blade or paint it.

The only reason I'm disappointed is that I've never really used the knife. Just a few days of sweat-free pocket time.
Wow, does 4V really rust that badly? Going by your experience, it seems to be even worse than uncoated M4 :confused:
User avatar
Pelagic
Member
Posts: 2440
Joined: Fri Apr 27, 2018 5:49 pm
Location: East Coast/Nomadic

Re: Cleaning up DLC...it's easy!

#8

Post by Pelagic »

Mzen wrote:
Sun Nov 24, 2019 6:30 am
Pelagic wrote:
Sun Nov 24, 2019 6:23 am
I hate feeling the blade of my 4V Shaman and feeling the surface rust all over it. I'm guessing there's no way to get rid of it without removing the DLC in the process?

I may just OSPHO it and then tuff glide the blade or paint it.

The only reason I'm disappointed is that I've never really used the knife. Just a few days of sweat-free pocket time.
Wow, does 4V really rust that badly? Going by your experience, it seems to be even worse than uncoated M4 :confused:
M4 rusted for me, but not as quickly. And there's a few people on this site that swear M4 has no problems with corrosion, so there's always that. Even cruwear is a rust bucket for me.
Last edited by Pelagic on Sun Nov 24, 2019 3:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Pancake wrote:
Wed Aug 14, 2019 10:20 pm
Are you a magician? :eek:
Nate wrote:
Thu Apr 04, 2019 4:32 pm
You're the lone wolf of truth howling into the winds of ignorance
Doeswhateveraspidercan wrote:
Sat Jun 15, 2019 9:17 pm
You are a nobody got it?
JuPaul
Member
Posts: 4437
Joined: Thu Jun 27, 2019 7:06 am

Re: Cleaning up DLC...it's easy!

#9

Post by JuPaul »

Pelagic wrote:
Sun Nov 24, 2019 6:49 am
Mzen wrote:
Sun Nov 24, 2019 6:30 am
Pelagic wrote:
Sun Nov 24, 2019 6:23 am
I hate feeling the blade of my 4V Shaman and feeling the surface rust all over it. I'm guessing there's no way to get rid of it without removing the DLC in the process?

I may just OSPHO it and then tuff glide the blade or paint it.

The only reason I'm disappointed is that I've never really used the knife. Just a few days of sweat-free pocket time.
Wow, does 4V really rust that badly? Going by your experience, it seems to be even worse than uncoated M4 :confused:
M4 rusted for me, but not as quickly. And there's a few people on this site that swear M4 has no problems with corrosion, si there's always that. Even cruwear is a rust bucket for me.
After reading a lot of posts about rusty steels here, I'm pretty convinced that a lot has to do with individual bodies and sweat composition. I mostly carry non-stainless steels, both dlc and satin blades, indoors and outdoors in humid Missouri: 1095, m4, hap40, cruwear, 4v, k390, etc. I almost never have problems with rust. I can remember having a few spots of surface rust that wiped off on a 1095 fixed blade and once on a 52100 folder, both after using them for yard work/brush whacking and leaving them wet and sticky for a while after. But otherwise, no rust, ever. I do keep a very thin coat of mineral oil on all my blades, though, and I'm sure that makes a difference, too.
- Julia

"Be excellent to each other." - Bill S. Preston, Esq.
User avatar
Pelagic
Member
Posts: 2440
Joined: Fri Apr 27, 2018 5:49 pm
Location: East Coast/Nomadic

Re: Cleaning up DLC...it's easy!

#10

Post by Pelagic »

My 4V Shaman rusted after about 3 to 4 days on the beach. But, I was enclosed in a cab of a bulldozer the whole time, so I'm sure it wasn't as bad as being outside. I surely didn't sweat. My sweat CAN cause knives to corrode, but my experiences with m4, cruwear, and even s30v, s90v, s110v (and others) rusting comes from working in an extreme salt environment. I only recently transferred to beach work and was hopeful it wouldn't be as bad (as being actually on the water/ocean). Turns out it's only slightly better.

I think I'm going to try the OSPHO idea.
Pancake wrote:
Wed Aug 14, 2019 10:20 pm
Are you a magician? :eek:
Nate wrote:
Thu Apr 04, 2019 4:32 pm
You're the lone wolf of truth howling into the winds of ignorance
Doeswhateveraspidercan wrote:
Sat Jun 15, 2019 9:17 pm
You are a nobody got it?
User avatar
TkoK83Spy
Member
Posts: 12446
Joined: Mon Sep 17, 2018 5:32 pm
Location: Syracuse, NY

Re: Cleaning up DLC...it's easy!

#11

Post by TkoK83Spy »

4V with DLC showed rust on or through the DLC, or just the edge?
15 :bug-red 's in 10 different steels
1 - Bradford Guardian 3 / Vanadis 4E Wharnie
1 - Monterey Bay Knives Slayback Flipper / ZDP 189
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31/Macassar Ebony Inlays
1 - CRK Large Inkosi Insingo/ Black Micarta Inlays
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31 Insingo/Magnacut

-Rick
User avatar
Pelagic
Member
Posts: 2440
Joined: Fri Apr 27, 2018 5:49 pm
Location: East Coast/Nomadic

Re: Cleaning up DLC...it's easy!

#12

Post by Pelagic »

TkoK83Spy wrote:
Sun Nov 24, 2019 3:48 pm
4V with DLC showed rust on or through the DLC, or just the edge?
Through the DLC. about 1/3 of the blade has rust spots on it near the tip (both sides). Pictures don't do it justice. Haven't carried the knife until I can remedy the problem somewhat.
Pancake wrote:
Wed Aug 14, 2019 10:20 pm
Are you a magician? :eek:
Nate wrote:
Thu Apr 04, 2019 4:32 pm
You're the lone wolf of truth howling into the winds of ignorance
Doeswhateveraspidercan wrote:
Sat Jun 15, 2019 9:17 pm
You are a nobody got it?
Doeswhateveraspidercan
Member
Posts: 2618
Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2018 6:31 pm

Re: Cleaning up DLC...it's easy!

#13

Post by Doeswhateveraspidercan »

What are you using to replace the flitz you used to recommend?

Reminder if you use your knives with food not all compounds are food safe that is why I use glitz and food grade mineral oil as you would use on a cutting board.
User avatar
Evil D
Member
Posts: 27147
Joined: Sat Jun 26, 2010 9:48 pm
Location: Northern KY

Re: Cleaning up DLC...it's easy!

#14

Post by Evil D »

Pelagic wrote:
Sun Nov 24, 2019 6:23 am
I hate feeling the blade of my 4V Shaman and feeling the surface rust all over it. I'm guessing there's no way to get rid of it without removing the DLC in the process?

I may just OSPHO it and then tuff glide the blade or paint it.

The only reason I'm disappointed is that I've never really used the knife. Just a few days of sweat-free pocket time.


It's all in how acidic your sweat is. I can rust M4 on a dry hot day in my pocket. Sometimes it's less about the steel and more about the person/environment.

I would get some Flitz polish and a rag and see what happens.
All SE all the time since 2017
~David
User avatar
Sharp Guy
Member
Posts: 8561
Joined: Tue Jan 26, 2016 2:19 pm
Location: DFW, TX (orig. from N. IL)

Re: Cleaning up DLC...it's easy!

#15

Post by Sharp Guy »

I've always used the blue Flitz cream. I've never tried the liquid that Rick shows in the OP. I'll have to buy a bottle of that and see how well it works.

My 20+ year old tube of Flitz cream was starting to get low. So I picked up some Blue Magic metal polish when I was at the auto parts store one day. Sure seems the same as Flitz cream to me. It works about the same for me and it's quite a bit cheaper. I don't know if it's actually the same as Flitz but it cleans up DLC nicely. I put a little of the paste on a cotton gun cleaning patch and clean the blade. Then I clean the paste off with some light gun oil. Good as new!

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Magic-400-O ... 7190&psc=1
Of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most!
User avatar
Pelagic
Member
Posts: 2440
Joined: Fri Apr 27, 2018 5:49 pm
Location: East Coast/Nomadic

Re: Cleaning up DLC...it's easy!

#16

Post by Pelagic »

Sharp Guy wrote:
Sun Nov 24, 2019 6:38 pm
I've always used the blue Flitz cream. I've never tried the liquid that Rick shows in the OP. I'll have to buy a bottle of that and see how well it works.

My 20+ year old tube of Flitz cream was starting to get low. So I picked up some Blue Magic metal polish when I was at the auto parts store one day. Sure seems the same as Flitz cream to me. It works about the same for me and it's quite a bit cheaper. I don't know if it's actually the same as Flitz but it cleans up DLC nicely. I put a little of the paste on a cotton gun cleaning patch and clean the blade. Then I clean the paste off with some light gun oil. Good as new!

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Magic-400-O ... 7190&psc=1
Just bought that. Thanks.

Evil D, yeah I know how bad sweat can be. But in this case I didn't sweat at all. Just salt air.
Pancake wrote:
Wed Aug 14, 2019 10:20 pm
Are you a magician? :eek:
Nate wrote:
Thu Apr 04, 2019 4:32 pm
You're the lone wolf of truth howling into the winds of ignorance
Doeswhateveraspidercan wrote:
Sat Jun 15, 2019 9:17 pm
You are a nobody got it?
User avatar
Sharp Guy
Member
Posts: 8561
Joined: Tue Jan 26, 2016 2:19 pm
Location: DFW, TX (orig. from N. IL)

Re: Cleaning up DLC...it's easy!

#17

Post by Sharp Guy »

Pelagic wrote:
Sun Nov 24, 2019 6:48 pm
Sharp Guy wrote:
Sun Nov 24, 2019 6:38 pm
I've always used the blue Flitz cream. I've never tried the liquid that Rick shows in the OP. I'll have to buy a bottle of that and see how well it works.

My 20+ year old tube of Flitz cream was starting to get low. So I picked up some Blue Magic metal polish when I was at the auto parts store one day. Sure seems the same as Flitz cream to me. It works about the same for me and it's quite a bit cheaper. I don't know if it's actually the same as Flitz but it cleans up DLC nicely. I put a little of the paste on a cotton gun cleaning patch and clean the blade. Then I clean the paste off with some light gun oil. Good as new!

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Magic-400-O ... 7190&psc=1
Just bought that. Thanks.
Not sure how well it'll work if your blades are rusting through the DLC. It doesn't sound like you have much to lose at this point. So I'd give it shot too. These polishing creams can separate in the bottle after they sit for awhile. So shake it up good before you use. Make sure the lids on tight first. I speak from experience on that last word of advice lol
Of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most!
User avatar
TkoK83Spy
Member
Posts: 12446
Joined: Mon Sep 17, 2018 5:32 pm
Location: Syracuse, NY

Re: Cleaning up DLC...it's easy!

#18

Post by TkoK83Spy »

I like my carbon steels in DLC, use them camping, on the water (typically not salt water though) but plenty of sweaty times during the summer months. I'm yet to experience any kind of rust or corrosion issues outside of my edge DLC knives in M4 and 52100.

I'm certainly not doubting Pelagic's claims, based on where he typically works, but it's a bit of a bummer to hear as someone that pushes DLC for corrosion resistance on non stainless steels.
15 :bug-red 's in 10 different steels
1 - Bradford Guardian 3 / Vanadis 4E Wharnie
1 - Monterey Bay Knives Slayback Flipper / ZDP 189
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31/Macassar Ebony Inlays
1 - CRK Large Inkosi Insingo/ Black Micarta Inlays
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31 Insingo/Magnacut

-Rick
User avatar
Pelagic
Member
Posts: 2440
Joined: Fri Apr 27, 2018 5:49 pm
Location: East Coast/Nomadic

Re: Cleaning up DLC...it's easy!

#19

Post by Pelagic »

I'll post pictures when I can. Working nights right now. I know Cold Steel's DLC has never rusted through, but that's with XHP, not nearly as corrosive as 4V.
Pancake wrote:
Wed Aug 14, 2019 10:20 pm
Are you a magician? :eek:
Nate wrote:
Thu Apr 04, 2019 4:32 pm
You're the lone wolf of truth howling into the winds of ignorance
Doeswhateveraspidercan wrote:
Sat Jun 15, 2019 9:17 pm
You are a nobody got it?
User avatar
Pelagic
Member
Posts: 2440
Joined: Fri Apr 27, 2018 5:49 pm
Location: East Coast/Nomadic

Re: Cleaning up DLC...it's easy!

#20

Post by Pelagic »

Image

Image

Like I said, pictures don't do it justice. Keep in mind I never used this knife NOR did I sweat. I was freezing my *** off for the 3-4 days I carried it. It still has a great factory edge.
Pancake wrote:
Wed Aug 14, 2019 10:20 pm
Are you a magician? :eek:
Nate wrote:
Thu Apr 04, 2019 4:32 pm
You're the lone wolf of truth howling into the winds of ignorance
Doeswhateveraspidercan wrote:
Sat Jun 15, 2019 9:17 pm
You are a nobody got it?
Post Reply