Rust-Proofing a Knife

Carbon steel can hold a longer sharp edge than a stainless knife and is much easier to sharpen. However, carbon steel is vulnerable to rusting while stainless is not as vulnerable. One way to help prevent carbon steel is to force a patina onto the blade. The video above will give you detail instructions to forcing a patina and so will the following article.

You'll Need:

• White Vinegar
• Rubbing Alcohol
• A cup
• A pot/stove
• Carbon steel knife
• Paper towels

To force a patina you will first need to bring the vinegar to boil. As you wait for the vinegar to boil, you can take the rubbing alcohol and pour some on a paper towel. Take the paper towel then and clean your carbon steel blade.

After the vinegar comes to a boil, pour it into a cup. Then place your carbon steel blade into the cup. The blade should begin to "bubble." That is patina being forced onto the blade. After 10 to 20 minutes, pull the blade out of the vinegar. The blade will have a thin "black" coating called the patina. The patina will help your knife from rusting.

After using your knife for a long duration, the patina will slowly rub off, but you can reply the patina at any time.