Cementing Trowels Gone Rusty

[Rossua]

I purchased this trowel set last summer for pointing cement in between slabs in the garden :

Wickes Builders General Purpose 4 Piece Trowel Set
https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Builders-General-Purpose-4-Piece-Trowel-Set/p/167339

However on going to use them this year I was surprised to see how much they had rusted.

So I take it these are not stainless steel, and most trowels seem to be carbon steel which rusts.

If I had cleaned them thoroughly and dried them off last year would they not have rusted ? (My shed does not have any problem with damp).

I have tried rubbing them with sandpaper but its very hard to clear all the rust.

So I am wondering whether to just use them again instead of buying a new set (especially with the long queues) - does the rust in any way harm the cement ?

(I did get a set of tuck pointers last year also, and these did not rust, even though they were used - they are stainless steel - but it would still be handy to get the larger trowels also).

 

[^woody^]

Give them a light rub with abrasive paper, wire wool or the sand you were oing to mix and use with them. Then spray or cover with oil and you are good to go. Clean them after, and oil them before putting away for next year's DIY