APPLY POLISH TO WOOD INLAYS
Generally, stabilized wood requires relatively low maintenance — if desired, simply apply a minimal amount of Renaissance Wax to the inlay to protect against moisture, environmental factors, & to provide it with a strong shine. Our inlays are made from stabilized wood & are precisely machined, providing a clean finish & tight fit. Each inlay is permanently bonded to the handle by 3M VHB tape —the same tape used to hold together cell phones & steel frame buildings— allowing the inlays to naturally flex as the wood expands & contracts. Knowing this process will help you learn how to properly care for wood inlays.
HOW TO CARE FOR DAMASCUS BLADES
1. Keep Damascus clean & moisture free
Damascus blades require more attention than a standard blade, although our blades are made with the highest quality stainless steel, it is still best to protect them from the elements. After coming into contact with moisture & especially acidic materials like fruit, steak, or even your fingers, we strongly recommend cleaning the blade.
2. Spot clean any visible rust
Your knife will eventually rust if it is kept in a humid environment. The easiest way to quickly address rust is to spot clean your blade with Soft Scrub & a q-tip at the first sign of any rusting. If any pitting is visible on the blade, it is essential to keep those spots clean, helping to ensure that more material is not removed.
3. Protecting your blade's pattern
To provide protection against fading & moisture, simply apply a minimal amount of high-quality gun or knife oil when the blade is completely dry. Damascus is made by forge welding tow types of stainless steel. One which has a higher carbon composition with stainless steel so chipping or flacking won't be an issue.
4. Maintain the edge of your blade
Though Damascus is made to maintain its edge for an impressive length of time, you can extend the life of your blade by maintaining the edge with the proper knife sharpening kit, like the popular Spyderco Triangle Sharpmaker.
RE-ETCHING
We can usually re-etch a blade’s pattern & bring back its definition, making it more pronounced, though always be cautious when choosing this route. Re-etching can only be performed a few times & unfortunately causes the life-span of the blade to be diminished, as the process involves removing material.
Note: We cannot re-etch discontinued models with Damascus blades, as we would be unable to replace the blade if damage were to occur during the process.
If you would like to request re-etching or you are facing issues with your Damascus blade, please send your knife to our shop for service.
KNIFE CARE
Knife care steps are needed for optimal performance. Proper care & maintenance will help to ensure your knife’s performance. By following these simple steps, your knife will last for years to come.
Maintenance
Lubricating the detent ball with a VERY small drop of oil (from the end of a toothpick, for example) is good practice for maintenance purposes.
Avoid Abuse
This is a knife — never use your knife as a punch, chisel, pry-bar or screwdriver
Never throw your knife
it was not designed for that purpose.
Never try to sharpen your knife on a power driven grinder wheel
Warning! Knives are extremely sharp tools, & should only be used with the utmost care & caution. Any use other than cutting is considered misuse and/or abuse, & will result in a voided warranty.
