Knife collecting is more than just satiating the desire to collect valuable pieces. Being a knife collector comes with its own set of responsibilities, and cleaning your collection should be a top priority. In order to preserve the durability and effectiveness of your knives, they need to be regularly maintained. Depending on your usage, knives have a tendency to become dirty or sticky and if you’re big on the aesthetics, proper maintenance will uphold the appearance, safety, and functionality of the blade. Our premiere knife shop in California believes that knife collectors should extend these courtesies to their collection because in a way, it pays homage to the knife makers who put in much effort to create the blades that we’ve come to know and love today. Today, we’d like to provide you with a guide for cleaning your knife collection.

The Blade Durability

To protect the blade durability, you’ll want to place your knife (blade open) in front of you to clean it. A word of advice here– don’t ever close your dirty knife! Why? Because particles can get lodged in the enclosure and potentially damage the blade, when opening and closing. Get into the habit of using warm water, as it does a great job of breaking down these dirt particles. 

Brushing Them Thoroughly

So far, so good, right? Cleaning your knife collection doesn’t need to be an arduous task. Like anything else, it requires commitment from the person who will be overseeing these tasks. A good way to promote cleanliness of the blades is to brush them thoroughly. Dirt or debris can be removed with a toothpick since it’s small and easy to maneuver. Upon dislodging the dirt or debris, rinse the blade and water down the case to remove any loose debris that lingered. Next, take a toothbrush and soak it in soap, then scrap the blade to fully remove all the dirt. 

Rinsing It Off

Take the time to brush and rinse your knives. If you want it to be spotless and exude that pristine quality that you know it has, this is another step in the process that you can’t forsake, under any circumstances. Scrub and rinse it diligently, but exercise caution as the polish has potential to be tarnished. A soft bristle toothbrush or the soft side of a sponge will suffice. Run the knife under warm water or submerge it in a container/bowel with warm water and mild dish soap. Submerging the handle is safe for many materials, except for wood and a few other types of materials. An important safety tip to keep in mind: When washing your knife, the suds can make it harder to see the sharper parts of the blade. If needed, put some tape around the edge of the knife to prevent any cuts or minor abrasions.

Letting It Dry

If a knife is allowed to retain moisture, it can cause excessive wear and rust on the blade. No one wants this craftsmanship to be tainted! One of the best ways to dry your blade is to place it down on an old cotton cloth or towel, patting it down as much as you can. Once you’ve done your part, allow it to rest and dry naturally for a couple of hours. We cannot stress this enough. Always dry your blade facing away from you.

Applying Lubrication

When the knife is completely dry, apply a thin coat of oil on the blade, pivot, and any other moving parts. Lubrication prevents rust, maintains a sharp edge, and ensures that the blade retains its precision. Don’t get any oil on the handle since it makes it slippery. There are a variety of lubricants available and if you need additional insight on this, our premiere knife shop in California is happy to help. Most of these are petroleum-based, but dry lubricants are also an option. Apply a modest amount of oil. Using too much can make it harder to remove, later on. 

Ready For Action

Well done! If you followed all of these steps, you are now ready to use the knife. As you’ve gathered, there is more than meets the eye when it comes to executing the proper care for your knife collection. If you consistently care for your collection, continue to pat yourself on the back and pay it forward! Novice collectors may not be as keen on the details as you are, and we believe there are always opportunities to educate others in this robust community.

Finding Rare Custom Knives

Exquisite Knives covers a lot of interesting topics on our site. From the history of bladesmiths, to getting access to rare collectibles, we have a lot to offer to the growing community of knife connoisseurs. To learn more about our stellar line-up of knives, visit our shop today!