How do you protect your hand saws?

[christopher thomas]

Howdy,
After use, I wipe down all my LN back backsaws/bench planes with Camellia oil. I then wrap the saws with Uniwrap and the bench planes all go in the LN plane socks.
I find this combination to be very, very effective in the every-changing humidity of the Chicagoland area. Though, if I'm not careful, the chemistry of my own sweat — a single drop — will quickly leave a rust spot on the saw plate or plane iron. Yikes! I just wipe down my LN chisels and they go in the leather tool wrap.
Kind Regards,
Christopher

[Sean Richards]

I just wipe down my LN chisels and they go in the leather tool wrap

Depending on the tanning process used that is a good way to get rusty tools right there ...

[Zach Dillinger]

Wooden planes = no rust. One reason I love them! If you keep your irons honed and in use, no chance for any important rust there either. I just clean the chips / shavings / dust out of them when I'm done, and I'm happy. My hands are always dry (sometimes causing problems like cracking / bleeding in the winter) so I don't rust tools just by touching them. I guess I got lucky. Besides keeping my tools clean, the only rust-preventing steps I've taken is to store all of my tools in my large tool chests and to keep somewhat fresh silica packets in the chisel trays. Every time my wife buys shoes (frequently...) I snag the packets and change them out.

[David Weaver]

I think with metal planes, if you have a plane that you have to clean rust off of often, it's a sign of two things (not talking about premium new planes):
1) the patina should've been left on the plane
2) it's not getting used enough and it's time to sell or encase it in something

I have been putting a very thin coat of shellac on the sides of metal planes (except the bottom of course). If they're used, the bottom will never get anything appreciable on it, anyway. The shellac might look a little ugly, but it's easy to get off of the plane, and there will be no rust with it on.

[Jim Matthews]

Am I the only one who does nothing to protect his tools? I was forced to store them in a nonairconditioned storage for a year.

What's the relative humidity in Plano?
As I recall, it's arid - not exactly rust-o-genic...

I even look at cast iron in my damp basement, and the rust blooms.

[Trevor Walsh]

I usually protect my saws with a bat, but I think this is another reason we have the second amendment, if you so choose.

[David Weaver]

I usually protect my saws with a bat

Does it keep the insect level down in your shop, too?

[Trevor Walsh]

Yes, but unfortunately also tends to dent things. My friend once spent 6 hours laying on the floor of my shop because a mosquito landed on his forehead in the midst of conversation. He made a full recovery.

[christopher thomas]

Should mention that the chisels are usually wrapped with Uniwrap inside the tool wrap.
Best,

[Zahid Naqvi]

Zahid,you had "Nay rust problems"? I didn't know you were Scottish!!

that was a test to check if people read my posts, you get an A ;-)

Jim, that might be one of the reasons. But before moving to Dallas/Plano I lived in Arkansas, which can be very humid in winters, for about 10 yrs (5 of which involved woodworking) and really had minimal rust issue. I think the key in my case was good ventilation (garage) and having fewer tools so everything got used frequently.

[christopher thomas]

Last summer I left my LN #7 out overnight in the our air-conditioned living room. Yikes! Next morning the plane iron/breaker were covered with rust. Rust had also started to form on the sole. I sweat like mad — a sweat with a funky chemistry. One little drop on my LN 16" tenon saw left rust/blemish/whatever in a mater of 30 minutes.
Kind Regards,
Christopher

[Jim Matthews]

"Now, when I nod my head... you hit it." -

Here's why shop classes were defunded in public schools - the original Moskeeter Deleeter.