Knife Maintenance

J

Jagged

Joined
Aug 15, 2001
Messages
349
Seeking advice on how to best care for some custom knives I have.

I want to protect them from rust, but may use some in food preparation. Also, some have stag handles and one has mammoth ivory. What protectant would you recommend for blade & handle?

Any kind of special care should exercise with different steels/handles?

I've heard you shouldn't store them in their sheaths. Someone suggested a sock. What do you recommend?

Thanks!

Jeff

I wasn't sure where I should post this question. If this is the wrong forum, please move to the appropriate one. Thanks!
 
The Japanese have been maintaining swords for hundreds of years with plain old mineral oil (OK they add a little clove oil to it for some reason). Mineral oil is edible so no trouble there. Also, I've never heard of a problem with mineral oil and any woods or ivories.

Another excellent preservative is PAM cooking spray - so I've heard. Spray on, soak, wipe off. (I use it for my outdoor cooking stuff.)

I like to use an even mix of mineral oil, beeswax, and anhydrous lanolin. Don't know if that's any better, but it's thicker.

Hope that helps!

Steve
 
a sock? :(


Anyway, if you are the type that likes to get your knife out now and then without that embarassing I-hide-everything-in-my-underwear-drawer look on your face...here's what I'd recommend:

Wax - Briwax, Renaissance Wax, Beeswax...

Works on everything. I use Briwax for blades and handles. Multiple coats re-applied often. Just get a rag loaded with it, and keep it in a plastic ziplock bag. (make that, double-bagged...stinky stuff) Take it out when you need it.

If you want to use it for food or if you keep it in a sheath, use mineral oil. You can get it in the pharmacy section at Wal-Mart. Inexpensive.

I think Lanolin would be best for mammoth...maybe some more knowledgable folks will chime in here soon....
 
After doing a rust test with briwax, bees wax, renaissance wax and johnsons furniture paste wax. In order from best to worst was:
briwax
beeswax
johnsons furniture paste wax
renaissance wax

I use briwax on every blade and handle. I have a buff wheel just for briwax and give it all a couple good swipes.
 
go to briwax.com and find the nearest dealer. It may require a phone call or two. Some places carry right off the shelf. None 'round me, though.
 
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