Folding Pocket Knives Care and Maintenance

• Folding Pocket Knives and leather sheaths should actually be stored separately when not in use because leather does absorb moisture and can rust the blade of your folding pocket knives. Tanning salts and acids present in the leather can rust or tarnish the steel of folding pocket knives. It's important to keep leather sheaths limber with a leather preservative or mink oil.
• As I said before, Folding Pocket Knives require special care. Keep the locking device clean and free of all debris. Keep the blades dry and wipe fingerprints and moisture off, after use with a soft cotton cloth or chamois. This is particularly important with folding pocket knives with blades made of high carbon steel. Tarnishing is a normal property of carbon steel and cannot be avoided. An occasional drop of light oil at each joint of folding pocket knives will assure smooth blade action in opening and closing. Each blade should click open smoothly and snap shut, these actions should be crisp. If stains appear on your folding pocket knives, try removing the stain with metal cleaner or polish. Blades of most stainless steels used in folding pocket knives are not rustproof but are rust or stain resistance.
• Keep Folding Pocket Knives sharp. A sharp knife is safer to use than a dull one as I have mentioned in previous articles. Sharp folding pocket knives require minimal effort to cut and therefore have less a chance of slipping which usually results in cutting when and where you don't want it to. The secret of proper sharpening is to do it regularly; you can find more details about this in my article on sharpening folding pocket knives. Most people find that sharpening folding pocket knives is easy after the first couple times; however, if you have difficulty there are places to have your folding pocket knives sharpened professionally.
• Remember that folding pocket knives are tools made for cutting and there blades are very sharp. It is important to use folding pocket knives for their intended use and never as a chisel, pry bar, screwdriver or hammer. If your folding pocket knives are good ones then a chisel, pry bar, screwdriver or hammer will cost less than replacing folding pocket knives. Keep sharp folding pocket knives well away from the reach of young children, this should mean all folding pocket knives if they are maintained properly.
• Keys and Coins can scratch the handle and bolsters of folding pocket knives if carried in the same pocket. The same is true if you store all of your folding pocket knives in the same box or container stacked one atop the other, this will also cause scratches on your folding pocket knives, which then reduces their value.