I have recently read a thread that talks about the use of an anode(magnesium, zinc, copper, etc) to reduce or stop rusting in high carbon steels. I have read that this practice has been used in the past, further is still in use for ships, barried tanks etc...

I would like any input or direction on this subject. Has anyone out there had any direct experience?

Hi Dave!
I have no experience using anodes on knives, but during my days as an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and Air Conditioning) technician, they were "code" for all underground tanks. The theory is that a non-ferrous material will have higher electron conductivity than a ferrous material will. Basically the anode (sacraficial) will be wired to the steel part (in most cases a steel underground tank will have a wire leading to a large copper rod which is buried approx. 10 feet away from the tank) the copper will draw the electrons more readily than the steel, and thus corrode rather than the tank. There is a formula to figure out area of steel versus amount of non-ferrous material, but I'd have to look that one up. Not sure how one would apply this method to knives as the anode must be "wired" to the steel. Anybody else know more about it?

Thanks Ed, thats helpfull. I wounder if copper bolsters etc lower the oxidizing of high carbon blades? Although I don't know, it was my undurstanding that the anode only need be in "cunductive" contact with the steel.
I think I need to know more.

G'day. Im no expert but I spend a lot of time on boats (taking people diving and fishing) and I can tell you that an anode on a knife is not going to stop any rust, unless you drop your knife in the drink. The principle is that in an electrical circuit the electrons will erode the materials that generate the electrical potential. On a boat made of dissimilar metals there is an electrical circuit established if the metals are not only touching but are connected by the sea water. The electrical current will corrode the metels unless you provide a replacable (read sacraficial) anode. On ships this is normaly a large piece of zinc. You will also find them on all outboard motors, the trim tab behind the prop is made of zinc. The boat still corrodes but the anodes reduce it to a reasonable level.

Hope this helps.
Mick Mason