Been using the knife for 2 1/2-3 years now. When I first got it I left it in a bucket of saltwater for 70-72 hours. Took it out, let it dry in the sun. Didn't wash or clean it for at least 3 months. No Rust. None. Nowhere. I got another fixed blade in H1 from G-Sakai the beginning of this year. I hung this one on my surf belt it always gets wet. It has rarely been cleaned . Same results as the spyderco, no rust.