Knife Care and Maintenance

WASHING KNIVES

Can I put these knives in the dish washer? NEVER! Someone can really hurt themselves while unloading the dishwasher. Also, modern dish washers use intense detergents and heat to clean your dishes. These will remove the good oils from the knife and handle, and can even crack the natural or synthetic handles. Most of our knives are high carbon knives and are prone to rusting when water is left on the knives. Putting your knives in the dish washer is asking for rust and many other potential problems. Our recommendation is to always hand wash, dry and put them away. Avoid using an abrasive pad to wash your knives as it can remove the etched oxidation and can scratch your knife.

WOOD HANDLES

To extend the life of the wood handles on your knife and to prevent them from drying and cracking, you should use a linseed oil like Tried and True Danish Oil. This Danish Oil will penetrate the wood and create a solid barrier. Simply apply a small amount with a paper towel or lint-free cloth. Allow the oil to soak into the wood for 20-30 minutes and then wipe off any excess. Make sure the handle is completely dry before storing. When you periodically oil your knife, we also recommend using the same knife oil on the handle to keep the handle from drying out.

CARING FOR DAMASCUS STEEL/CARBON KNIVES

Owning a carbon Damascus steel knife is taking on the responsibility of caring for a beautiful piece of art. Carbon steel has the tendency to rust if not maintained properly. Always hand wash and dry your knife after each use. Certain foods will react more quickly with the carbon steel, such as citrus, and should be wiped off immediately after use. Different foods and over time a patina will develop on your knife. This is a protective layer against rusting and makes your knife even more unique. For long term storage, it is recommended to store the knife outside of the sheath, in the wood box it came in or a dry environment.

REMOVING RUST FROM YOUR KNIFE

If rust spots start to form on your knife, try using an old scrub pad with a mild soap and gently rub with the grain of the Damascus steel. If that does not work, you can use a powdered scrubbing compound and again gently rub with the grain of the knife. Again, if that doesn't work, you can try the previous step, but use a new scrubbing pad instead of the old one with the powdered detergent.

For more serious rust, you can try a rust remover from your local big box store. Work slowly as this will also dull the blade and remove the etched oxidation Damascus pattern if not careful.

OILING YOUR KNIFE

You don't need to oil your knife after every use but it is a good habit to get into. It will extend the life of the steel and keep the knife from discoloring. We sell a large bottle of premium oil that should last you for years. Our proprietary blend of oil is made of mineral oil, Camellia oil, and Vitamin E. All of these ingredients are high quality, food safe and designed to protect your knife and handle.