Fiebing mink oil and carbon steel

[klinerm]

I'm not sure if this is the best forum to post this in, but I was wondering if anyone knew the effect of Fiebing's Golden Mink Oil leather treatment on carbon steel, i.e., does it cause rust, prevent rust, or no effect? You would think this would be easy to find, but I've done a few internet searches and can't find the answer.
Thanks.

Richard

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Richard, i’m not sure about this oil causing problems with carbon steel. I think best practice is not to store any knife in a sheath for long time periods. I’ve seen the green gunk that forms on bolsters from the oils in leather. It does some real damage if left for long periods. I never leave a knife in a sheath for storage, only for use. Then it comes out and is wiped down and oil reapplied to the blade and bolster or finger guard.
Hope this helps.

[klinerm]

Thanks, that's what I usually do. Before I learned this, I let the brass guard on a mint 60's stag Randall get corroded by accident, made me feel kind of ill. I've noticed the effect seems to vary with different steels / metals, but your advice is spot-on.

Richard

[Mumbleypeg]

The chemicals used in the leather tanning process are the culprit. Knives stored in continual contact with leather for extended time will develop "verdigris" whether the leather has been treated with mink oil or not.

I'm told that vegetable-tanned leather is better but have no first hand experience with it. I don't store any knives in their sheath regardless, as I typically have no idea what tanning process was used.

Ken