Laser rust removal.

[Fireman]

I think rust removal could be as popular as sharpening services anyone use these on their pocket knives? Anyone use zinc as a sacrificial anode? I think a zinc disc pressed into the Spydie hole of the mule or trademark hole of a fixed Spyderco is a good idea to prevent rust too.

[Evil D]

I've wondered how lasers might be used to change the brushed satin finish on blades. I'm kinda surprised that laser patterns on blades haven't become a trend yet.

[zhyla]

I've wondered how lasers might be used to change the brushed satin finish on blades. I'm kinda surprised that laser patterns on blades haven't become a trend yet.

They leave behind a rough surface. Not good for rust.

[Fireman]

Are you saying the laser damages the surface when removing rust or that’s what the rust has done to the steel? Would the knife need to be repolished/grained? I guess the intensity of the laser would be a variable

[Evil D]

I've wondered how lasers might be used to change the brushed satin finish on blades. I'm kinda surprised that laser patterns on blades haven't become a trend yet.

They leave behind a rough surface. Not good for rust.

Yeah but can it be any worse than the belt sanded brushed finish or stonewashed?

[Mat_ski]

I think rust removal could be as popular as sharpening services anyone use these on their pocket knives? Anyone use zinc as a sacrificial anode? I think a zinc disc pressed into the Spydie hole of the mule or trademark hole of a fixed Spyderco is a good idea to prevent rust too.

Laser ablation can remove rust, but is probably the most expensive way to go. A little bit of acid with amine-based rust inhibitor will be as effective at fraction of the cost.

Laser ablation is popular in architectural/historical surface cleaning/preparation where there is a lot of money and in military industrial application for surface preparation of metals for protective coating application.

Sacrificial zinc anodes will only work in a circuit, so you need either an electrolyte or a current source.

[Fireman]

I think rust removal could be as popular as sharpening services anyone use these on their pocket knives? Anyone use zinc as a sacrificial anode? I think a zinc disc pressed into the Spydie hole of the mule or trademark hole of a fixed Spyderco is a good idea to prevent rust too.

Laser ablation can remove rust, but is probably the most expensive way to go. A little bit of acid with amine-based rust inhibitor will be as effective at fraction of the cost.

Laser ablation is popular in architectural/historical surface cleaning/preparation where there is a lot of money and in military industrial application for surface preparation of metals for protective coating application.

Sacrificial zinc anodes will only work in a circuit, so you need either an electrolyte or a current source.

Gotcha. I see that ocean water works as an electrolyte for ships. Might need to use nylon scales for static electricity I have seen information about Zinc or magnesium being added to tools to inhibit corrosion. Not sure about how much electricity is needed. Perhaps the salt from my sweat that causes the rust could be the electrolyte

[zhyla]

Yeah but can it be any worse than the belt sanded brushed finish or stonewashed?

Yes. On a stainless blade it doesn’t matter. On rustable steel the smoother the better.

Anyone use zinc as a sacrificial anode?

There was a whole thread about this a while back. Short answer no. Long answer would require an intermediate understanding of electrochemistry.