What is good to finish a knife with?

[beaver#1]

What would be a good way to protect a carbon steel blade from the elements?  I know keep it oiled and so on. But have y'all came up with anything longer lasting. Oh and this is for a blade hand polished to 800 grit or so.

[Lin Rhea]

Its a matter of time before the elements will leave their mark on it. For most, me included, that is not a problem under normal use. It just gets a nice gun metal patina. You can postpone that by using plenty of oil or wax the blade after degreasing it. The patina from normal use does not include rust pitting, etc. That is neglect. But a patina is expected.

[beaver#1]

For knives that I keep I do expect that Lin.  This particular knife is for domeone eho might neglect it out of ignorance to the properties of carbon steel.  I knowi coukd buff it to a mirror polish but ijust dont like that much ad much even thoygh the compoundused helps deter this oxcidation.

[madness522]

If it is likely to be negelected go with a stainless steel blade.

[Bladepeek]

I usually use Breakfree CLP, but for stuff that might lie around for quite a while I've been trying Boshield. It's a non-drying coating developed by Boeing for aircraft. So far, it' been working great for me.

I have a Randall that gets handled by folks and I have purposely not wiped it down afterward. It's been about 4 months and no sign of fingerprints etching into it.

[beaver#1]

Thanks bladepeek I will look into that. I don't think this blade will be neglected. I doubt it will ever be used. I think that when u give to him I will just instruct him on how to care for it. I have no experience with forging stainless and have never pleased with its performance so I will just give a simple set of care instructions.

[beaver#1]

For knives that I keep I do expect that Lin.  This particular knife is for domeone eho might neglect it out of ignorance to the properties of carbon steel.  I knowi coukd buff it to a mirror polish but ijust dont like that much ad much even thoygh the compoundused helps deter this oxcidation.