All About Pocket Knives

I wiped this area of the blade and was able to rid it of surface junk. But there is this stain left behind. What to do about it?

Is the blade stainless or carbon steel? It looks like the beginnings of patina, but might be something else that’s stained the steel. If it’s patina I’d just let it grow. I like a natural (not forced) patina, which can occur gradually and appear spotty as it grows until it eventually covers the entirety of the steel. On a carbon steel blade that is used regularly, patina will eventually happen - keeping it “shiny” is a losing battle. So enjoy it.

If the blade is stainless steel it’s a different story. Try some solvent, or 0000 steel wool (which will make carbon steel shiny also).

Ken

Thanks. It is stainless steel and so will try what you recommend.

looks more like a coating coming off.

Those blades are not coated.

SwedgeHead wrote: ↑Sat Oct 04, 2025 4:54 pm looks more like a coating coming off.

I wouldn't expect a German Boker to be "coated" but, in a expanded view, it looks like a top finish is coming off.

Bill DeShivs wrote: ↑Sat Oct 04, 2025 5:47 pm Those blades are not coated.

Other than what you have said here, Bill, do you know what might cause this look?

Technically Stainless steel is an oxide layer that can wear or be damaged. That pic certainly looks like wear more than stain. But just going based on what we can see here

It looks to me like there is something left on the blade.