Knife care is easy, and requires very little maintenance!
I use the very best materials to make these knives. Most assuredly they will last your lifetime and hopefully many generations to come.
This is probably why so many people are buying these knives as birthday and Christmas gifts for their fathers, sons & daughters. They know these knives will be passed down. What a great way to be remembered!
These knives were design for meat processing for hunters and fisherman. You will not scratch the very hard blade when used for these purposes.
I have carefully examined knife blades that have been used by professional guides who have processed four deer before sharpening. They skinned, quartered, gutted and other butcher functions, with no visible scratches. I have also seen a knife blade that have processed 30 trout at one time, again with no visible marks on the blade.
A Few Simple Rules.
* Keep knife & sheath away from high heat. The inside cab of cars during the summer months of many states, can magnify temperatures to extreme and damaging levels. During these months it is advisable to keep the knife and sheath in the trunk where temperatures are slightly lower.
Using a 100% cotton cloth, hand wash the metal blade using warm-to hot water and liquid dishwashing soap( Dawn or Ivory) Your T-Shirt works just fine. Sometimes fat, sinew takes some extra rubbing effort to remove. So dont be afraid to apply pressure.
Don't put the knife in the Dishwasher.
Try not to get any hot water on the handle...you wont hurt the handle..but you may dull the shine.
Do not leave your blade uncleaned with blood and meat residues for long periods of time. There are some corrosive chemicals in these natural elements.
Showroom Shine for Blade
Fingerprints and the oil they leave behind, are the biggest culprit of a dull look. Simply blow hard on the blade, this will fog up the blade, then wipe hard with a Cotton T-shirt.
Little white spots on blade- believe it or not...this is human saliva. Little molecules of spit that come out while talking.You can use warm water and dishwashing soap. Sometimes these little white spots take some real effort to remove.
The easiest cleaning solution, and will give you the brightest shine and a protective coating as well, is a Product called FLITZ.
Using the smallest amount on a cotton cloth, you will remove any oils, spit, or metal oxidation that has occurred.
FLITZ Order code is #FL $8.95 from K & G supplies at (800) 972-1192
Showroom Shine for the Handle
Most of the time you can just wipe hard with clean cotton cloth. To revive the handle shine, and remove hand oils, use RENAISSANCE WAX . You can also bring the brass pins to a bright polish by rubbing very hard with this solution. This is a Microcrystalline wax and was originated for museum pieces. Although this wax is much more expensive than a standard wax, its protection and cleaning values are above all others.
The small size will probably last you a lifetime on two knives.
RENAISSANCE WAX order code # RW2 2.25 ounces $15.00 from K & G supplies at (800) 972-1192
# RW1 4 ounces $18.95
Sheath Care and Maintenance
My unique Leather sheaths are built with the highest quality leather and glue components. (Check out my Sheath Page)
However, leather is no where as durable as metal or the stabilized wood handles.
Leather needs to be replenished with the proper oils and waxes from time to time.
If you do this, there is a great chance that this sheath will last for many generations to come.
Depending on your climate conditions:
Apply a moderate amount of Skidmores leather cream using a cotton cloth, to the Exterior and Interior of the sheath. Let sit overnight- then with a clean cotton cloth, wipe away any excess. Use some pressure and this will also rub in any surface conditioner still there.
The leather cream is rehydrating the leathers cellular structure.
In warmer climates you should apply the leather cream every 3 to 6 months( depending on the sheaths exposure to high heat and usage. High trail usage where the sheath is rubbing against brush and shrubs will also require more frequent dosages.
If you are going to hunt in the rain you should also apply Skidmores beeswax waterproofing formula.
You can order Skidmores Leather cream or Beeswax waterproofing
in six ounce containers at (800) 785-2466
