Article: Protecting Against Rust: Part I

**lklawson** · Posted On: 6/02/2009 4:47pm

New CBD Article:

Protecting Against Rust: Part I

http://cbd.atspace.com/articles.html

**kwan_dao** · Posted On: 6/03/2009 12:17pm

Interesting. Thank you very much. :-)

The article misses out on one very common rustblocker of ye olden days though:

flax/linseed oil

To my experience it works very well, even long-term and under harsh conditions, like when exposed to sweat or sea-water.

Its no good for fine mechanics, as it tends to harden (the effect is called "verharzen" in german, sorry I don't know the englisch word for that). The hardening is a more-or-less wanted effect on blades though. Gives them a very good protective cover against corrosion.

For best effect it should be heated up to about 60-70 degrees celsius and then applied while still hot (old family trick, which can be relieably traced back four generations, probably was in use much longer).

**Angry Mandrill** · Posted On: 6/03/2009 12:49pm

i use multi-purpose grease on blades and guns. it's cheap and widely available at auto parts stores, and seems to do a very nice job. i clean and regrease only every six months or so without any corrosion problems. smells good, too.

**lklawson** · Posted On: 6/03/2009 9:36pm

Originally Posted by kwan_dao

Interesting. Thank you very much. :-)

The article misses out on one very common rustblocker of ye olden days though:

flax/linseed oil

I will be testing Olive Oil for part II.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

**kwan_dao** · Posted On: 6/04/2009 12:07am

Originally Posted by lklawson

I will be testing Olive Oil for part II.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

Yeah I read that. Will be very interesting to see if olive oil is any good in rust protection (other then "internal" against "rust" in your arteries). :-)

**Permalost** · Posted On: 6/04/2009 1:16am

Cool. I've always used WD40 on my swords and such.

**Chili Pepper** · Posted On: 6/04/2009 8:43am

Originally Posted by CodosDePiedra

Cool. I've always used WD40 on my swords and such.

Isn't wd40 slightly corrosive?

**Angry Mandrill** · Posted On: 6/04/2009 10:28am

i've tried olive oil. it turned rancid, and i ended up with a large rust mark on my favorite sword.

i've always thought that wd-40 is a solvent, but their website claims it's a lubricant and water-displacer. never tried it, never will.

**willaume** · Posted On: 6/04/2009 1:25pm

Originally Posted by kwan_dao

Yeah I read that. Will be very interesting to see if olive oil is any good in rust protection (other then "internal" against "rust" in your arteries). :-)

i uses olive oil on my harness.
it seems that you need to lay it on the first time , and as long as you dry the metal after rain or use (horse sweat is very corrosive).
It really does a fantastic job.
that beiong said, i oil it each time i use it.

in the event of not drying properly, the rust is very easy to get rid of, just wipe or use a washing up scratcher.

I can not explain it but it does not work well on swords, espeically if stay in a wood and leather scabbard.

from what i have read, in mediaval time they used olive oil mixed with salpeter. (but i would not be surprised if armour was painted)

I never tries flax/linseed oil, is it close to olive oil?

phil