A machete is a tough tool that you might make a habit of using around the yard to keep it clear, or in the bush when you’re scouting, hiking, camping or just cutting shooting lanes.

This means two important things: the machete is going to see some hard use, and by nature of clearing vegetation, it’s going to encounter a lot of moisture.

That said, this post should show you how to keep rust off your machete or knife.

Preventing Rust

It’s easier to prevent rust than to remove it, and better for your machete or knife, so we’ll start with that.

One, when you’re done chopping or clearing, wipe or rinse the blade clean. Never leave any wet plant tissue or residue on the blade. Also, take care to remove any chips of wood that have stuck to the blade. These trap moisture and will accelerate corrosion.

Once you have the blade clean, make sure you rinse it off and dry it thoroughly before you store it. Putting away a wet machete or knife is almost a guarantee that it will be coated in rust when you pull it out again.

As soon as the blade is dry, you can apply a light coat of oil to keep the blade insulated against rust. Just a few drops on each side of the blade and carefully distributed should be all you need to protect the steel.

Also, for prolonged periods of time, don’t store your machete or knife in the sheath, especially if it has a leather or nylon sheath. These can trap moisture and can encourage, rather than protect against, rust.

One more thing: where you store the machete is just as important as everything else mentioned here. Keep your machete or knife inside if you can, in a cool, dry location, protected against high humidity.

Removing Rust

Now let’s take a closer look at what you need to do if you have a machete that already has a few spots of rust on it.

If you’re just working with a few spots of rust, you should be able to get the job done with some fine steel wool, or, if that isn’t working, a steel wire brush. Scrub the rust off till all you can see is the naked steel underneath.

For more stubborn rust deposits, create a paste of vinegar and baking soda and let the blade soak in that for about an hour. Take it out, wipe it off, and use the above method to scrub off any rust that remains on the blade.

If that fails, you can use a relatively coarse grade of sandpaper to sand away the layers that are compromised by rust.

Make sure that you remove all rust that can be seen on the blade as rust can travel, and once you’re done, dry the blade as indicated in the previous section and then oil the blade before you store it.

Add a New Machete or Knife to Your Collection

Keeping rust off your machete or knife will not only maintain its aesthetics, it will protect your steel. Plus, a clean blade will both cut and chop much more cleanly than a blade that is coated in rust.

If you’re here to add a machete or knife to your collection, see what’s in stock over at BudK first. They carry a wide range of machete and knife patterns and some other cool stuff, most of them at fairly competitive prices.

Visit their website or get in touch with them if you have any questions about what they sell.

For more information about Boot Knife and Bayonets Please visit: BudK Worldwide Inc.