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The Most Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Pocket Knives

For many of us, a pocket knife is an essential part of our everyday carry (EDC) kit. But we have received some interesting questions from our readers asking about many aspects of owning and using a pocket knife.

Our answers have helped many of our readers becoming more informed buyers of high quality pocket knives and more proficient knife users. We hope this article will help you somewhat, too, in knowing more about this tiny but extremely handy tool.

How often should I sharpen my blade?

Modern pocket knives are made out of extremely durable types of knife steel that can hold an edge for a long time. However, it doesn’t mean that they are not susceptible to dulling or wearing.

The first thing that you have to take into consideration is how often you use your knife and what you use it for. If you only use it once in a while and for cutting paracords or paper, you don’t need to sharpen it often.

But if you frequently have to use your knife for cutting tree branches or field dressing, it is recommended that you sharpen your blade immediately after each use.

The trick is to never let the knife’s sharp edge dull out too much before you sharpen it. It is much harder to sharpen a dull knife.

Why do I see rust on the blade of my stainless-steel knife?

This is a very common question that we were asked and we can understand why. Stainless steel is usually advertised to be rust-resistant, so we don’t blame you for feeling cheated when you spot a hint of rust on the blade of your best quality pocket knives.

Even the best folding knife in the world is susceptible to rust, no matter if it’s hand-crafted out of 100% stainless steel. The market literature that tells you how stainless-steel can eliminate rust is quite misleading. Rather, it has a corrosion resistance property to rust.

In other words, while rust can certainly form, unlike untreated steel, the rust layer will not damage the blade and make it lose its durability.

Though a pocket knife is a rugged tool, you still need to give it a great deal of care whenever possible. If you’ve been using it in a damp place like in a bayou, strip and wash it with clean water then make sure to dry it completely top to bottom.

Cleaning is especially important after the knife has been submerged in salt water. Salt will attack and break down a good folding knife regardless of how high-quality the knife steel is.

Should I use blade oil?

Coating oil on the blade is a common maintenance tip, but it is up to you entirely whether you want to take the extra step and use oil on your folding knives.

Granted that it provides you with an additional layer of protection against rust and corrosion because it insulates the steel against moisture. But moisture is the key word, here:

Do you live in a humid zone like near the beach? If you live in a dry region, cleaning it frequently with a cloth is enough. And even when you often have to face moisture or dampness, taking time to clean it with a dry cloth already gives the blade good protection from rust and patina.

Plus, if you do decide to use oil, we recommend natural alternatives like Chapstick, coconut oil, or even Vaseline. They are non-toxic, cheap, and will do just as good a job as specialized blade oil.

Useful Link: Best pocket knives in the world

Conclusion

And that ends our FAQs of the best pocket knives! We hope that the article has been of use to you.