When you get a new knife...

Keith Montgomery

Keith Montgomery

Joined
May 9, 2000
Messages
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..., what do you do? First thing I do is clean and polish. Then I spend a little while checking out the knife to see if there are any major faults. After that I do any required maintenance such as applying Ren Wax, Bee's Wax on the sheath, that sort of stuff. The next few days are spent getting to know the knife; lots of handling and fondling. Then it is off to the storage case for awhile, to be brought out for more fondling and upkeep every few days to few weeks. I spend quite a bit of time with each of my knives.
 
I do exactly the same thing except for one thing. I display all (not that many yet but growing) of my knives in two large (floorstanding) display cabinets in my living room, so after the handling and fondling I put my knives in one of the cabinets so I can look at them when ever I want.

Marcel
 
Clean it up removing dust and or smudges. Then I inspect it. Check for spaces, gaps, etc. Fit and finish checking is followed by handling and grip checking which usually reveals any hot spots if they are there. Then I coat the blade in protectant, thicker for high carbon steels. At this point I'll grab another knife and compare feel and function. Most of the time they go back in the cases/sheaths and get taken out everyday or so. After a week or two I check for wear marks from the sheathes or such.
 
The last knife I got,the Filicietti from Stephen,arrived so quickly it was surprising,less than a week and that was shipped from Europe .
Stephen informed me there was a minor flaw on the guard,so minor it didn't even damage the blueing on the guard and he didn't even notice it for 12 months.
I couldn't find it with the naked eye and was thinking of Emailing him as to its location,instead I got the magnifying glass and it still took a while to locate the tiny flaw,it was almost nothing.
I do what you do Keith,except for the beeswax on the sheath,mine usually go into the sheath drawer of a cabinet I have.

Doug
 
Keith Montgomery said:
..., what do you do? First thing I do is clean and polish. Then I spend a little while checking out the knife to see if there are any major faults. After that I do any required maintenance such as applying Ren Wax, Bee's Wax on the sheath, that sort of stuff. The next few days are spent getting to know the knife; lots of handling and fondling. Then it is off to the storage case for awhile, to be brought out for more fondling and upkeep every few days to few weeks. I spend quite a bit of time with each of my knives.
Click to expand...


That sounds about right. :) I also try to get some photographs done sooner rather than later.

Roger
 
I inspect it, and fondle it, look it over real good. I open and close it lots. I then usually Flitz the blade, and clean it up; get the finger printers off it. And then I usually carry it for a few days.
 
1. Drool

2. Drool some more

3. Remove drool

4. Clean thoroughly

5. Drool even more

6. Remove drool and clean thoroughly

7. Put it aside for 24-hours. This gives me the opportunity to step away from the :eek: factor and allows me to look at the knife with a cold-eye.

8. 24-hours later. . . . .thoroughly inspect the knife, cut air and arm hair, etc. :D

9. Send kudo's to the maker. . . .if all is well

10. Continue drooling
 
I go with a mixture of Keith and Gig's routine.
 
After inspecting I usually make some cuts on a sheet of paper to see how well the maker sharpened the knife. It's amazing how many custom knives come in somewhat dull. It suddenly takes the euphoria out of having a well made and good looking knife. Haven't had that problem with the better ABS guys.
 
I carefully open the package and immediately tell the wife that it's a knife
sent in for a sheath to be made....:) well sometimes it is ;)

But yes, check it over, look for blade play, things like that, usually I have
to sharpen it, as I'm a bit fussy in that regard...

Then I usually post an image of it, and then get emails from all my friends
asking to be remembered next week to sell it to them, as they know me
so very well, every knife I get is supposedly THE knife, and you know what
those guys are most often correct! oh well, but right now, I think I do have
one of THE knives, we'll see how long that lasts!
G2
 
When I was in the Army every time I received a new knife (they were all bought to be used) I would throw the knife into a gravel pit. That way I didn't have to worry about scratches.

Now when a new knife comes in, I take it out of the box and about 75% of the time I put it into a new FedEx box. :)

WWG
President
Arbitrage Custom Knives (but only 75% of the time).
 
Hide it from the wife. Then, when she comes home with new clothes, shoes, etc., I unsheath it and examine and clean it real well in front of her. Follow with many of the things listed above in this thread...but have to do that first. :)
 
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