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Care and Maintenance

Proper care and maintenance is key to the longevity of your handcrafted Merkelig Co. knife. Here are some instructions to keep your knife in excellent shape.

CARBON STEEL
  • Hand-wash (or at least rinse & wipe dry) the blade of your knife after and between uses. Carbon has a tendency to react with acidic foods (especially fruits & proteins). Keeping your knife clean helps lower the reaction time.
  • DO NOT allow food and excess moisture to remain on your blade as this will cause your knife to corrode and begin to rust.
  • NEVER put your knife through the dishwasher or allow it to rest or soak in any water. This is extremely hard on all of the materials in your knife.
  • ALWAYS make sure your knife is completely dry before storing it. I also suggest applying a coat of your preferred blade/handle protectant before storing. I suggest Axe Wax.

Patina: Over time and use your Carbon Steel knife will develop a thin coating, called a patina, on the blade, which is caused by the reaction between the metal, the foods you are cutting and the surrounding air. Each patina is unique and is a good thing as it will help protect your knife from unnecessary corrosion.

Handle Wood: Most of the handle wood I use is stabilized, however if your knife has an unstabilized wood (such as Ebony or Cocobolo) it is good practice to keep it well-oiled to prevent dryness or cracking. I recommend Tried & True Danish Oil or Camellia Oil as well as Axe Wax to help seal it.

Storage: To protect your knife’s edge and keep it sharper longer, I recommend storing your knife in a universal knife block, on a magnetic bar or keeping it in a plastic edge guard.

Maintenance: Take care of your knife and it will take care of you! Routine maintenance is essential to keeping your knife in prime condition.

 Leather Sheath

  • NEVER store your knife in the leather sheath, the leather will stretch over time with the knife in it and the retention characteristics will fade.
  • DON'T let your leather get wet. It will retain moisture and cause carbon steel to rust as well as effect the retention. 
  • ALWAYS make sure your leather is conditioned and protected. I recommend Axe Wax for for on the fly sealing and protecting your leather. 

Storage: Store dry and hydrated in a cool place to ensure the longevity of the leather. A leather sheath will last a lifetime if you take care of it.