Hi! So I’m new in the world of knives and a friend gave me my first pocket knife (that isn’t a $20 swap meet knife). It’s a Civivi brand folder but here’s where I went wrong. I took my nephew fishing and forgot my beater knife so I used my Civivi that day. I put it away and months later found rust on it. I tried using the vinegar technique but must of done something wrong as it left a blotch on the other side of the blade. Rust was removed and what I was left with is pictured below. My local knife repair shop said to use Flitz and it helped a little with the blotch but didn’t remove it… so… did I ruin my knife or is there a way to fix this?
by CaliftedChris
![[NKD] First Demko, AD20.5 Sharkfoot Ti](https://www.edctips.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/gozycexba5mg1-770x515.jpg "[NKD] First Demko, AD20.5 Sharkfoot Ti")
4 Comments
It is easy to fix, it’s just a bit of oxidation. Get some Flitz or Simichrome polish, either works really well for chemically removing oxidation. I don’t like the vinegar technique as I use vinegar to force a patina on my non stainless blades sometimes. Maybe it works but I prefer the polish. A little goes a long way, I’ve had the same tubes of the stuff for years.
Bar keepers friend will do you right
You’re a user now, Harry.
If that knife is ruined I hate to see what you would say about most of my knives. It’s a stain, use the knife and enjoy it.