Tony, Is Flitz bad for Light, occasional use only? My 5" 18 is not a stainless blade, so I am aware it needs to be kept clean and dry. The handle is stainless? The Brass Hand guards will discolor/tarnish in a heartbeat if they are handled and not cleaned..along with the buttcap.
I guess that's where the coatings come in for a real hard-use 18..like it was made for.
Or...let it show it's nicks and scars and chalk it up to "character"" like the rest of us?