Knife essentials?

Steven Roos · Nov 30, 2002

What do you think are the essentials for anyone who owns a knife?

So far, my equipment is pretty simple...a tube of blade polish, small bottle of Tuff-glide, and a cloth. I really need to get myself a Sharpmaker...

EDIT: Also, I have a few Craftsman torx screwdrivers for adjusting my knives.

Here is the list. I'll update it as people suggest more:
1. Spyderco Sharpmaker
2. Tuff-glide
3. Blade/Metal polish
4. Cloth
5. Strop and compound
6. Torx screwdrivers
7. Knife roll
8. First aid kit

9. Pockets

PhilL · Nov 30, 2002

Yep, that's all you need.

TheBadGuy · Nov 30, 2002

Yeap I would say you named them all. Maybe a Knife roll or storage system too.

Edited to fix spelling error

Steven Roos · Nov 30, 2002

Originally posted by TheBadGuy
Yeap I would say you named them all. Maybe a Knife roll or storage system too.

Good idea!

Also, what about a strop? What stropping compound should I use?

TheBadGuy · Nov 30, 2002

Oh yeah, A Strop!! Well I got the Blue and Red paste from knifecenter.com But I have heard people talking about buffing cream from sears also.

Steven Roos · Nov 30, 2002

Originally posted by TheBadGuy
Oh yeah, A Strop!! Well I got the Blue and Red paste from knifecenter.com But I have heard people talking about buffing cream from sears also.

Sears huh? Now I just need to find some nice leather...

TheBadGuy · Nov 30, 2002

I bought this strop off Ebay. Its 100+ years old. And works like a charm. Best part?? It was $10

Samuel · Nov 30, 2002

A good First Aid kit.

Steven Roos · Nov 30, 2002

Originally posted by Samuel
A good First Aid kit.

For when you chop off your fingers using the sharpmaker, right?

OwenM · Nov 30, 2002

Old thread I remembered:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=167615

Steven Roos · Nov 30, 2002

Originally posted by OwenM
Old thread I remembered:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=167615

Thanks for the link!

mnblade · Nov 30, 2002

.9 Pockets!

Steven Roos · Nov 30, 2002

Originally posted by mnblade
.9 Pockets!

Of course!

willis · Nov 30, 2002

.....and some good cedar pieces for whittling

Practical Use · Nov 30, 2002

Body hair for testing sharpness!!!!

ARtsig1 · Dec 1, 2002

Dremel tool! You don't have the essentials unless you have a Dremel with several polishing wheels and compound. Can't remember the number of screws I have mirrored polish with the Dremel I have. One of the first things I always do is take apart my knives and polish the inside of the liners where the blade rotates and then polish the blade tang. Makes 'em slick as butter!

I also just purchased a real nice torx/phillips/straight screwdriver kit from Wiha, a company in West Germany. These are the best drivers I have ever used!

Last but not least, and perhaps the most important....."Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish" the absolute best polish I have ever used in the 35 or so years I have tinkered with knives!!

Steven Roos · Dec 1, 2002

Originally posted by artsig1
Last but not least, and perhaps the most important....."Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish" the absolute best polish I have ever used in the 35 or so years I have tinkered with knives!!

I'll have to check that out. Where can I get some?

ARtsig1 · Dec 1, 2002

I get mine in the auto section of Wal mart. I imagine auto part stores, especially the chain stores would carry it also. It is in a red jar with a white lid. The size I have and the only size I have seen is the 5 ounce bottle. Great stuff.

Keith Montgomery · Dec 1, 2002

I would add mineral oil and Ren Wax to that list. Also, I use microfiber cloths because they don't scratch.

Dcon67 · Dec 1, 2002

hmmm, another person recommending renaissance wax?? I guess I am going to have to get some. I have been hearing nothing but great things about it.