Knife care

A knife must be for lifetime, and must pass from generation to generation. Important things require attention. A regular knife care will make your blade durable over time.

Most of my knives are made of high-carbon steel, which I think performs better than stainless steel. However, this type of material requires more care. Touching certain substances (fruits, vegetables, salt) and in particularly moistly environments (such as coastal regions), carbon steel will oxidize, developing a dark patina.

Many knives’ owners let it happen, because it may also be a protection from the development of real rust. I love patina: it gives the knife an aged look, which I greatly appreciate. I let many of my NEW knives develop a forced patina by the controlled immersion of the blade in a solution of water and iron chloride. I do the same with the handles, aged through the application of black tea and iron melted in vinegar.

If you want to prevent your blade from turning dark (and from rust, the real enemy), you should always dry it after each use, and apply a few drops of oil before storing it in a dry place and out of the sheath. Cleaning and lubricating help the longevity of your knife.

All handmade knives must be washed by hand. Never wash a hand-crafted knife in the dishwasher! The finest materials of the knife will inevitably ruin after a few washes.

First goal of knife care: keep your blade sharp

Knives are made to cut things. Keep your knife sharp. A sharp blade is safer than a dull one.

Sharpening is the last operation I do while making a knife and of course it is one of the most important: the painter signs his painting, the knifemaker sharpens his blade. One of the aspects through which the future owner will decide the goodness of my work is cutting capacity.

I sharp all my knives with whetstones. It takes longer, but it’s worth it. I suggest everyone to learn this technique: in addition to being part of those operations that every knife user should know about, hand sharpening has something “zen” and facilitates meditation 🙂

On Youtube there are different tutorials on sharpening, and it won’t be difficult to find them. Here’s a channel that I recommend on sharpening with Japanese technique:

This, instead, is a video about sharpening with Western technique by Master Bladesmith Bob Kramer:

If you feel that working freehand isn’t for you, I recommend this Work Sharp Kit, with a guidance system that makes the job easier.

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If you have any doubts about knife care, please contact me: I will be happy to listen to you and give you my advice.