Blade Care

Here are some Do’s and Dont’s for keeping your blade healthy.  Let’s be honest, it is a knife… I know it will be used as a screw driver at some point, or a pry bar, or a scraper, definitely a box cutter, maybe a razor, maybe an ice pick, to chop wood, to make kindling, etc, etc…  I have used high end custom knives that I own for all types of things, including prying open a door at my day job.  I know these blades will get wet and dirty, after all they are designed to be used and loved.

 

Firstly I am using AEB-L on most of my knives and Nitro-V on both fillet models.  These are both stainless steels.  However, that does not mean they will not stain or rust.  It does not happen often but mistreatment and neglect may cause it.  I have not had an issue with staining or rust, but as Knife Steel Nerds has shown and documented it can happen.

 

Do:

  • Immediately dry blades of any salt water and properly clean of any corrosives
  • Clean blades with warm water and soap
  • Dry blades completely prior to sheathing
  • Remove any dirt or debris from blade prior to sheathing
  • Oil your blade with food safe oil after drying, especially with high carbon steels
  • Ensure sheath is dry and free of debris
  • Let sheath dry if it becomes wet
  • Use a leather strop or ceramic hone to hone edge.  Be sure that you are removing material away from the edge when doing this.  I will sharpen any knife I have made for free, you just cover shipping.  Fillet knife edges are set at 17 degrees and the rest are set at 20 degrees
  • Pass your knife down to the next generation and get them outdoors.  Take them hunting, fishing, camping, etc….  Teach them to be self-sufficient and comfortable in nature.  Teach them to love nature and be a staunch conservationist
  • Contact us if any issue arises, the knives are warrantied as long as I am making knives and have my equipment

 

Dont:

  • Leave salt water not the steel
  • Put blade in the dishwasher (please I beg of you)
  • Re-sheath in a wet sheath
  • Re-sheath while blade is wet or dirty
  • Put sheath in dishwasher
  • Use a pull thru sharpen (again, please I beg of you).  These will change the edge geometry and they work by ripping the steel away, they do not grind it away
  • Put your blade in a fire or heat the blade.  This will likely destroy the heat treat.
  • Heat the sheath, this will ruin the shape and retention.  One caveat is you may lightly heat the retention area on the scales if you would like to adjust the retention, just don’t overdo it
  • Use your knife in the commissions of a crime
  • Throw it away