Mike,Mike ,Mike!
Here at work when we have to trim back crab apple we take along a can of lysol, or a reasonable facsimile, and after each and every cut spray it down. This method even keeps fire blight in check! It's so effective I've taken to doing this at home.Just make sure to hit your blade(s) with some 3 in 1 or some other type of rust preventer.
Hope this helps.
J.R.
