Is there any shelf life of steel? Lets say for an example that we have a Leatherman multi tool and a Victorinox knife. How long would they last without any noticable change in the steel? If we speak about about sharpening ability, corrosions resistance, strenght and so on. Is there such a thing as steel shelf life? Or will I probably die before the steel gets any weaker?
Quote from: aikon2014 on March 15, 2018, 04:40:56 PMIs there any shelf life of steel? Lets say for an example that we have a Leatherman multi tool and a Victorinox knife. How long would they last without any noticable change in the steel? If we speak about about sharpening ability, corrosions resistance, strenght and so on. Is there such a thing as steel shelf life? Or will I probably die before the steel gets any weaker?The LM would rust as soon as you turn your back on it but the Vic would still be usable in 100 years time. Seriously, I don't know figures but they would both be in great shape long after you've gone, provided they weren't in a corrosive atmosphere.
If it's unstressed and corrosion free it'll last forever(-ish). There are instances of springs breaking on older knives, even when not in use.
Probably due to flaws that would be less common in the modern steel?
Quote from: Pablo O'Brien on March 15, 2018, 05:05:42 PMProbably due to flaws that would be less common in the modern steel?Maybe. It's a known issue on the Leatherman Squirt and Style PS small scissors, probably due to exceeding the material stress/fatigue limits.
Quote from: magentus on March 15, 2018, 04:45:58 PMQuote from: aikon2014 on March 15, 2018, 04:40:56 PMIs there any shelf life of steel? Lets say for an example that we have a Leatherman multi tool and a Victorinox knife. How long would they last without any noticable change in the steel? If we speak about about sharpening ability, corrosions resistance, strenght and so on. Is there such a thing as steel shelf life? Or will I probably die before the steel gets any weaker?The LM would rust as soon as you turn your back on it but the Vic would still be usable in 100 years time. Seriously, I don't know figures but they would both be in great shape long after you've gone, provided they weren't in a corrosive atmosphere.I'm just getting a bit paranoid about my collection, I want to be able to use it for the rest of my life They are kept in a dry environment!
The blade in this knife is 100 years old, not too shabby (also the back spring and horn scales)You can sleep again tonight Aikon (Image removed from quote.)
FWIW, just from storage my Gerbers and LMs have developed spots, slight rust or dimples many times, in most modelsNone of my polished SOGs or Vics have suffered from that, being stored in the same place under the same conditions
Flitz.
One of my Japanese swords is about 700-800 years old (Koto era). It is is still in good shape and is VERY sharp. Japanese swords from about 1600-1800 are considered "New Swords" (Shinto era), etc.Steel will outlive you by many lifetimes with proper maintenance.