52100 Steel

[GH9000]

Hi all,

I was reading the PM2 52100 thread and was interested in trying this knife out.

Any info about maintaining this steel? From what Ive read so far is its close to super blue. I can either keep some mineral oil on it or I can let it form a patina. And if I let it patina will that keep the rust away?

Thanks in advance.

[Ncmiked]

Ive had the knife less than a week, so far so go. 52100 has more than double the CR compared to super blue but still way below the threshold of stainless. If you like patina go for it, you still can get rust with a patina but it does help.

[setldown]

Here's some info on patina. I prefer to use mineral oil and wipe my blade after use but I don't live in a coastal area.

http://earthskillsonline.com/2012/10/13 ... from-rust/

[GH9000]

Thanks for the info. That was helpful. So if i get the knife maybe take the blade out of the knife and put it in vinegar for an hour to form a patina. The longer I leave it in the darker the patina. Repeat if patina wears off after use of the knife over time.

[farnorthdan]

I usually just stab mine into an apple, onion, lemon etc. For about an hour, seems to get patina going nicely then cut fruit regular like, maybe a drop of oil in the pivot occasionally. Haven't really seen any rust on the half dozen or so high carbon users I have.

[Cujobob]

52100 corrodes worse than Super Blue. It will actually rust if you're not careful. Super Blue mostly just patinas, I don't know I've ever seen surface rust on any.

[xceptnl]

52100 corrodes worse than Super Blue. It will actually rust if you're not careful. Super Blue mostly just patinas, I don't know I've ever seen surface rust on any.

I have some light rust that developed well after the patina formed on my Caly 3.5 but my body pH tends to do that.

[Evil D]

Search the forum, there was a huge thread about it when the Military was announced.

[The Mastiff]

I'd recommend more than a patina with both 52100 and Super Blue. I use Renn wax. I have better luck with it than with oils. Next would be silicone. I have a bottle of clear liquid silicone I bought from AG Russell and use it with a cloth. The gun cleaning silicone cloths are good too and come with a solvent for use in getting glue and other stuff off. I suggest using those with latex/rubber gloves because of the solvents. Naturally I'm not saying I'd put it on knives I use in food prep. Those I leave bare then wash and dry them after use.

Joe

[Peter1960]

I coated my 52100 Mule blade several times in hot citric acid bath which formed a nice black and afterwards I also used some petroleum jelly which gave second coating and deeper black. Still works fine, no rust.

[Brock O Lee]

Perhaps not a good steel if you live on the beach, or want to carry in waistband on hot sweaty days, but in all other sensible environments it’s not going to melt away before your eyes!

Keep it clean and dry (especially the pivot), apply oil every now and then, use some common sense, and it’s good to go. :)

[1187ford]

I have the PM 2 in 52100 steel, with carbon fiber scales. This steel takes a wicked edge, easy to sharpen. Corrosion has been nominal, after a forced patina. I highly recommend the steel, corrosion must be tended too. Outside that, this knife has become one of my absolute favorites.

[ZeroRange]

I keep thinking this steel makes no sense for me in a folder. I have Rex 45, M4 and Maxamet but 52100 seems to be too corrosion susceptible. Yet I keep looking at it and thinking about how nice it would be to have a deeply patina'd blade lol

[JonLeBlanc]

I keep thinking this steel makes no sense for me in a folder. I have Rex 45, M4 and Maxamet but 52100 seems to be too corrosion susceptible. Yet I keep looking at it and thinking about how nice it would be to have a deeply patina'd blade lol

I live on the gulf coast, and with minimal care I’m able to keep my 52100 blades clear. One is patina’d (and yes you’re right it is quite nice), and the other is bright and shiny, in fact it has the finest finish of any knife I own (they are both PM2’s). So given that, plus the toughness and ease of sharpening to a razor edge, I’d say 52100 makes very good sense for a folding knife! You should try it!

[ikaretababy]

52100 has had great edge taking and holding performance for me. I have mostly had it in fixed blade but Spyderco's version seems as good or better than the customs I've used. If you buy the knife you will learn to love it stains and all.

Was 52100 the first mule? Or at least one of the earlier runs? I'd like to pick one up on the secondary market if it ever pops up.

[Peter1960]

Was 52100 the first mule?

It was the first Mule, you see that also on the specific SKU which is MT01.
Grab at one by next occasion and you will not regret it. Good luck!

[Jazz]

Could we just get the UKPK or Urban 52100 already, please?

[steelcity16]

Could we just get the UKPK or Urban 52100 already, please?

If the quantity of steel required for a UKPK run is too small for a minimum order, please feel free to do a 52100 Native and Native LW at the same time. Preferably in the Grey/DLC Knifeworks exclusive combo.

[1187ford]

I keep thinking this steel makes no sense for me in a folder. I have Rex 45, M4 and Maxamet but 52100 seems to be too corrosion susceptible. Yet I keep looking at it and thinking about how nice it would be to have a deeply patina'd blade lol

I forced a patina with vinegar. Gone is the shiny blade, but i have no issues with pitting rust. I use this knife camping and cutting vegetables, the edge it takes is scary. My knife still flips out fine. I think spyderco did a great job using this steel. I recommend it.

[sal]

Hi 118ford,

Welcome to our forum.

sal