This is an on-going project as I seek to find the best rust preventatives.
6/03/12 update:
One of my old K2s is being recycled into Research Duty. I am leaving it outside in the weather with the following edge treatments:
![](/Resources/Pictures/test%20k2%20comp.jpg)
1.) untreated (as a control)
2.) Hard Wax (rubbed on)
3.) Liquid Teflon
4.) Liquid Teflon topped with hard wax
5.) Dupont Silicone/Teflon spray
6.) Dupont Teflon spray
7.) Piloil Silicone spray
8-10.) 5-8 + wax
11.) Paste wax
12.) liquid wax
6/11/12 update:
After 1 week of sitting outside in the weather, here are the results:
Worst (not surprisingly): Untreated:
Paste wax worked a bit better:
Tied for first with no visible rust are the two Dupont sprays:
Teflon sprayed onto paper towel then wiped onto edge:
Teflon + Silicone Sprayed onto paper towel then wiped onto edge:
I will probably attempt Phase II allowing them to rust all Summer... just for curiosity.
9-02-12:
Good, hard wax rubbed into the edge is an amazingly effective rust preventative. I have been waxing edges FOREVER- so I assumed there must be better techniques/materials by now, but all the alternatives I have tried are either worse or only marginally better. When in doubt, dry your edges well, then rub a fairly hard wax onto the edge. Without buying anything new for your kit, you will make a big difference in the quality of your edges.