Cpm-M4?

hawaiihunter · #1

I live in a humid climate, Hawaii. I was wondering if it would be possible to own a Cpm-M4 blade and to keep it in good condition without having to maintain it every day.

Clip · #2

78lilred · #3

You'll be fine if you oil it occasionally, it will patina.

Donut · #4

I think you just need to wipe it off so that it is dry after using it with something wet.

I've read that EVERYTHING rusts in Hawaii, I don't know the extent of that statement. Do "stainless" blades rust for you?

Cameron · #5

You should have no worries with CPM M4 near the coast. I have high carbon non-stainless blades in New Zealand that I had had no issues with as long as they are kept clean and dry after use.

Cameron

WorkingEdge · #6

Donut wrote:I think you just need to wipe it off so that it is dry after using it with something wet.

I've read that EVERYTHING rusts in Hawaii, I don't know the extent of that statement. Do "stainless" blades rust for you?

I carried a 154 cm knife for 5-6 years daily including during long bicycle
rides clipped to the waist ban. Would get soaked in sweat. No problems in Los Angeles. One week in Hawaii and rust developed on parts of it!

nccole · #7

WorkingEdge wrote:I carried a 154 cm knife for 5-6 years daily including during long bicycle
rides clipped to the waist ban. Would get soaked in sweat. No problems in Los Angeles. One week in Hawaii and rust developed on parts of it!

What kind of finish did it have? Bead blasted blades of just about any composition will develop surface rust spots from my experience.

kbuzbee · #8

nccole wrote:What kind of finish did it have? Bead blasted blades of just about any composition will develop surface rust spots from my experience.

And I got rust spots on a very nearly polished VG10 blade! I could easily see myself in the reflection (not a pretty sight

) yet it rusted (small spots, but still...). I was kinda shocked.

This knife was not 'put up wet" or roughly stored. It sat in a desk drawer for a little over a year in our living room.

Pretty much anything outside of ceramic or H1 can rust. Regular use and care is the best remedy.

Still, if I were 'coastal' H1 would be my go-to steel.

Ken

WorkingEdge · #9

nccole wrote:What kind of finish did it have? Bead blasted blades of just about any composition will develop surface rust spots from my experience.

Not bead blasted. The normal BM minigrip finish. Rust started at thumb stud so figured probably from screws but did spread to blade.
I actually rusted my GB while sharpening it. Guess I was having a hard time reprofiling and took too long. Bought better stones after that.

paladin · #10

kbuzbee wrote:And I got rust spots on a very nearly polished VG10 blade! I could easily see myself in the reflection (not a pretty sight ) yet it rusted (small spots, but still...).
Pretty much anything outside of ceramic or H1 can rust. Regular use and care is the best remedy.

Still, if I were 'coastal' H1 would be my go-to steel.

Ken

Copy that

hawaiihunter · #11

I have a tenacious and after not really caring for it for about 6 months, it developed slight surface rust.

Cujobob · #12

There are plenty of other super steels that offer rust resistance, I would stick with one of them.

Surfingringo · #13

I live in the tropics, 50 yards from the pacific. I have m4 and superblue folders and have no problem. With the most basic care and very occasional lubrication you'll be fine. I find my users never rust. If I stick em in a drawer for a year, yeah, they will get some light spotting.