Congrats on your purchase. Now you're making want to get another one! Anyway, this knife is literally a lifetime knife. I must warn you that like any knife, it is not completely scratch resisitant. However, any scratches made on the handle are usually minor and cosmetic and do not affect the performance of the knife. In fact, they impart to the knife, a sense of your individual ownership. This idea is very comparable to the concept of loving an old house because it has its own "character." Just remeber, once you get past the initial scratch, every other scratch won't bother you. As for the blade, not only is it uniquely beautiful, but the finish is as scratch-proof as you can get. Although the steel is super stainless CPM S30V, it should be properly maintained because it is not truly rust/corrosion-proof like titanium or talonite(although it is pretty darn close). Always rinse it with warm soap and water after cutting fruits, meats and other corrosive elements. then lightly lubricate the pivot and the blade. I recommend sentry solutions products over any type of grease or silicone-based product for two reasons. First, grease is an excellent lube and rust inhibitor, but it is usually lint or dirt aggresive. And silicone products leave too thick of a residue on the balde or in the pivot. So if it is your intent to carry the knife in your pocket without the accumulation of lint on and in the knife, use sentry soultions. But if you are going to purchase a leather or condura pouch or sheath, then the grease is certainly the way to go. Like CR says, take care of you sebenza and it will take care of you.
