My Knife Smells Terrible!

Carbon steels can stink as they patina - it will fade a good bit once the patina is even (french grey) - but some people swear they can still smell it. Most noticeable when cutting acidy fruits/veggies.
 
Schedule an excorcism. If that don't work, send it back to the smelly place it came from.
 
I would gladly keep my bush tool like this, love it that much. However, after slicing every fruit there is except pomegranate, eating with it countless times, and feeding my family with it. The patina still stinks. I'll take the previous advise, strip it, and start over. Perhaps it's remnants of the old bluing???????
 
If you have a handle that has pores (like wood), what you are smelling could be rancid oil.

It is strongly advised against using things like olive oil, vegetable oil, etc. on cutting boards because these oils do go rancid and it will ruin the board. I've smelled it myself and it does have a noticeable odor. And for this reason, something like mineral oil is advised for usage.

If this is the case, the problem is that options are limited short of refinishing that actually removes some of the materials. A strong degreaser like dish soap scrubbed in with a brush, and sealing the handle with beeswax after it dries (which you can put on the blade too) may reduce the smell. Prior to removing the coating, this may be easier to start at as it is much less invasive.

Lemons with salt are an excellent polish for many materials (especially for brass and copper), and they do help with smells a good bit. However, this does scratch certain finishes and probably will in this case.

If it is the coating itself, removal and then forcing a patina with something like mustard or grapefruit could help.
 
Yep, these bush tools have g10 grips. I have removed all the bluing on mine and patina is nice. I swear it changes every day I use it so much. Also, been wiping blade with coconut oil and it helps the smell
 
Trust me, the bluing is still in the knife. Once you wear it all off and a good patina is developed, it will go away. Also, coconut oil will help in the meantime
 
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