How to Clean a Knife

One of the most important elements of owning a knife is knowing how to take care of it, and that means keeping it clean. Knives have various uses, and some are more high maintenance than others. Here's now to keep yours in working order.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Knife oil
• Cotton cloth
• Dry towel
• Q-Tips

1. Clean utility knives, such as hunting, skinning or bowie knives, of any excess grime or dirt using water and a cleaning solvent. Avoid using harsh detergents when cleaning knives.

2. Dry the knife completely. Cotton cloth or chamois are best for removing water spots, moisture and fingerprints.

3. Spray or wipe down each joint of the knife with cleaning oil and spread it thoroughly over the knife's surface as well as the handle. Break Free is a popular brand of knife oil used for cleaning utility knives. Experts also recommend Japanese sword oil made from Camellia flowers.

4. Check your knives often for trouble spots. You may not know that you've missed a spot until it shows up as rust. Oxidation and tarnishing are usual occurrences with knives made of carbon steel. This appears as bluish gray and can actually help protect the knife. You can distinguish this from rust by its color, as rust appears reddish brown.

5. Remove any sticky residue, possibly left by the adhesive from labels, with nail polish solution on a rag. Clean inside the knife with toothpicks, Q-Tips and cotton swabs.

6. Work slowly and patiently. Overcleaning your knife can do serious damage to it.