Mission Knives & Tools, Inc: Saltwater Corrosion Tests

On Thursday, November 14, 1996, a series of tests were started which evaluated the corrosion, galvanic action, and dissimilar metals properties of knives in sea water. Buckets of sea water were collected in Dana Point and San Clemente, California. Four (4) knives were evaluated, all current military issue:

Mission Knives MPK
Current issue non-magnetic US Navy SEAL and EOD titanium knife
Ontario Navy MK3 MOD0
Current issue US Navy stainless steel dive knife
Ontario USMC Combat Knife (Kabar-like)Current issue USMC combat carbon steel knife
Ontario Air Force Survival
Current issue pilot survival carbon steel knife

A series of photos was then taken at certain intervals to show the results of exposure to sea water. The tests varied from week to week. For example, during one of the listed periods, the knives were left in sea water for the entire week, while during another week, the knives were only placed in the sea water during the day and left to dry during the night. Subsequent weeks consisted of placing the knives in their respective sheaths while performing the above listed tests. A varied testing criterion was utilized to establish real world conditions. What follows is the evaluation results, click here to begin.

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