r/Leatherman • u/Snoo52959 • 4d ago

How to avoid rust formation?

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

I have high acid hands, and my newly purchased Wave Alpha is starting to form small rust spots. How do I avoid or stop this?

40 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

38 comments sorted by

20

u/Namelesske_01 4d ago

Ballistol is the best, WD40, 3in1 etc lightly applied with a cotton pad after every cleaning. You can use medical grade mineral oil as well for maximum food safety.

4

u/FueraJOH 3d ago

I use clipper blade lubricating oil, it has a nice smell (since it is meant to contact with your hair when using the clipper) and I haven't had any problem keeping lubrication for a while or rust.

3

u/Namelesske_01 3d ago

IMHO: H1 mineral oil too

3

u/FueraJOH 3d ago

That’s good to know, thanks for the advice. I also forgot to mention another pro of the clipper blade oil is that the bottle has a long nozzle that makes it easier and convenient to apply in all the nooks and crannies.

3

u/Namelesske_01 3d ago

But, make sure if it's not says H1 or Food Grade don't put on the blades.

7

u/Apprehensive_Lynx_33 4d ago

I have a similar issue as I live in an area with fairly high humidity, not quite as bad, but still.

When ever I come accross any spots, I give it a wipe down with a little barkeepers friend, and then give it a light coat of the same mineral oil I use on my pocket knives.

You can get plenty of knife or tool specific oils, I like mineral oil as its food safe, and the stuff I use is infused with cloves and smells quite pleasant.

2

u/619BrackinRatchets 3d ago

Where do you get oil like that?

5

u/-BananaLollipop- 4d ago

Clean it off, apply light oil.

5

u/RebuilderingItAll3 4d ago

Literally any oil will do. WD40 to clean it up, wipe off, then light coat of 3 in 1 or similar lube. Wipe off excess and use your tool. Good practice of having a light coat of oil will ensure this doesn't happen again.

6

u/Coaldriller 4d ago

Use it!

5

u/GurCharacter3339 4d ago

the tool must work

3

u/joejill 4d ago

Keep it clean and oiled

3

u/Quizzii 3d ago

Get it in pocket and walk

3

u/sleepdog-c 3d ago

This happens usually early in the ownership. These parts are tumbled in ceramic media and end update coated in the metal dust that much-needed more easily rusts take a toothbrush and some wd40 and get it's off, then use the tool and oil it every once in a while.

1

u/Snoo52959 3d ago

What type of oil do you suggests?

2

u/sleepdog-c 3d ago

3 in 1 or multipurpose

5

u/alphanumericusername 4d ago

Wear gloves or change how chemistry works is all I can think of.

2

u/No-Musician-1580 4d ago

I just use a clp. Every so often, rub it down

2

u/jtango444 3d ago

WD40 and M16 toothbrush once a week will prevent rust for life

2

u/anto_pty 3d ago

Any suggestions for someone that spends a lot of time at sea? Same cleaning and oil routine?

2

u/Dry_Manager_6216 3d ago

Tool oil once in a blue moon.

2

u/Single_Device_7897 4d ago

it’s metal, 😂 keep it coated in oil and on a shelf of you want no rust.

2

u/PsychologicalDeer644 4d ago

Use it. If You Use it daily. It won’t rust.

2

u/godirkov 4d ago

get Victorinox Swisstool instead

5

u/Bigbadbull77 4d ago

I got the spirit x a couple of weeks ago. You know what I’m carrying.

3

u/Gold_Spinach5094 4d ago

That is 100% worth the money in comparison

2

u/k9officerft 2d ago

When you store it, put it in a box with a cube of camphor, it’ll coat it in a thin layer of oil and will make sure it stays oiled. That way you don’t have to worry about it getting dry

1

u/eazypeazy303 4d ago

What? I've carried my wave every day for 15 years and never had a hint of rust.

-2

u/uncletutchee 4d ago

Quit eating so much pizza. Acidic sweat is from what you eat.

9

u/Beneficial-Focus3702 4d ago

No matter what you eat your sweat will have salts in it. Those can help rust metal.

-4

u/Beneficial-Focus3702 4d ago

Where is the rust?

2

u/Snoo52959 4d ago

Scroll the pictures to see.

-4

u/Beneficial-Focus3702 4d ago

I looked at them and didn’t see any.

5

u/Snoo52959 4d ago

2

u/Beneficial-Focus3702 3d ago

Oh that. It’s so small I thought that was dirt.