starting a collection (care, sharpening, EDC)

K

koolstof

Joined
Sep 21, 2002
Messages
249
Hi there,


I live in Belgium (in between France and Germany...) and I started a knife-collection. I own the following blades:

-Boker folder: ceramic blade and titanium handle.
-Spyderco: Howard Viele serrated
-Al Mar: SERE 2K, normal finish
-Cold Steel: Black Bear Classic
-SOG: SEAL 2000
-SOG: Multitool Powerplier

1) LUBRICATION/COATING: I would like to know if "spray-on-oil" to lube bicycle chains is a good option to preserve the knives. It forms a nice, sticky liar and seems to do a good job sealing the metal off from air. Those fancy brandnames you people seem to use are very hard to find here. What are my alternatives? Could you describe what the properties of good coating/lubricant agent are? How should I take care of an EDC as opposed to "a show-knife that is not actually used".

2) SHEATHS: I store my blades out of their sheaths, I have heard that the best way. Is that correct?

3) SHARPENING: As for sharpening... I can barely tie my shoe-laces, attempting to sharpen properly is unsuccesful... so I would like someone else to do it. Are there good adresses in Belgium/Europe (USA is OK too, but I'm afraid they wil be confiscated by customs) to send my knives to.

Thanks a bunch, this site rocks!
 
Hi Koolstof,

1. Lubrication/coating.

For lubrication, you can use WD-40 (this product is available world wide and very easy to get). I don't know if it is good for coating though since I never used it for that purpose. It sounds gross, but natural oil such as baby oil or oil produced by your nose's skin are good coating material. They work all the time.

EDC, it depends on what steel it's made of. Stainless is very low maintenance. Carbon steel is kinda difficult if want a very clean blade.

I think your blades are made of stainless steel, so you don't really have to worry about coating it. As long as you keep them dry, it should be enough.

2. Sheaths.

The best way to store knives for long time period is out of their sheaths.

3. Sharpening.

My suggestion is buy a very cheap knife, sharpening stone and start practicing. It's fun and an essential skill for knife collectors :D
You might want to start with fine grit ceramic (as opposed to diamond or tungsten) sharpening stone. The reason is, if you don't do it right, there will be less scratch on the knife.
Another alternative is to find a cutlery store around where you live and have the knives sharpened there.

Your knives will not be confiscated by US custom as long as they are not balisong (butterfly knives). But considering the shipping cost and the wait, it would be better to learn to sharpen the knives yourself :p

Good luck !!
 
Haha, that is gross as a matter of fact *lol*

Yeah, I know I should learn to sharpen and actually you are right, I should buy a cheap knife to practise. I do not want to fondle with my expensive knives.

All of my current nice are indeed stainless.

And WD-40 is available over here.

My knives don't have to be spic and span as long as they are in good condition. I will try a less corrosion-resistant blade sometime.

Thanx, great help, especially with the cheap knife-idea.
 
As for lubrication and coating: I use "Holt's kettingolie", it is available in the Halfords stores throughout The Netherlands and Belgium. It's a spray-on oil that thickens instantly and really clings to the steel, it resists extreme temperatures, it does not smell but it is toxic, so if you want to cut food make sure the oil is gone.
To lube the pivot and locking liner area I use "Abus Lock Lube" also available at Halfords. It's a dry, synthetical lube that does not attract dirt yet it protects the metal from harmful influences. It is rather expensive tough...
 
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