Common Misconceptions: Rust on Stainless Steel

Many believe that Stainless Steel does not rust, and some will even go to the extent of neglecting the maintenance of their Stainless Steel knives because they believe those to be invincible.

The term 'Stainless Steel' says it all; it is 'STAINS LESS' and not 'NO STAIN.' While Stainless Steel requires less maintenance compared to other types of steels, it still requires some basic care.

The following image shows a stainless steel blade that we washed and didn't properly dry - we simply left it on the countertop, hoping the water would evaporate. Only a few hours later, we could already see the water spots starting to convert into rust.

While rust can be cleaned and rubbed away, it should be prevented at all costs to avoid permanent damage to the chromium in your blade. If the chromium film is removed by rubbing it too hard or too often, the blade will become more prone to rust.

A basic home remedy to remove rust is as follows:

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 2 cups of water to form a paste.
2. Apply the paste by gently rubbing it over the heavily rusted spots.
3. Rinse the blade while continuing to rub the stained areas.
4. Ensure you thoroughly and properly dry the blade to prevent further rust formation.

The following image shows the same blade after the rust has been rubbed away and properly dried.

Some will also finish the process by applying a thin layer or metal compound to polish and further protect the blade.

Hope you enjoyed this little post.

Until next time!