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How To Clean Bowie Knives Properly
By: Blake Benson
Your Bowie knife is a valuable tool. It offers many different things, ranging from an eye-catching accouterment to a versatile cutting tool. The size, heft and design of your knife all come together to create a unique tool. However, if you do not care for it properly, the lifespan of your blade can be dramatically reduced. How do you ensure that your blade is properly cared for? While storage and handling are important aspects, proper cleaning techniques are vital, as well.
First, it's important that you understand why you should care for your knife properly. You might be under the impression that Bowie knives need little or no care at all. This is not the truth. Like any other knife, these blades must be maintained in order to avoid rust, discoloration, dull blades and other problems. This is true even if you have a knife with a blade made of surgical stainless steel. Without the proper care, you will find that your blade becomes an eyesore, rather than something of which you can be proud.
Next, when cleaning Bowie knives, you might be tempted to put your blade in the dishwasher. Never do this, as it can actually harm your knife. You need to make certain that you use a cleaning paste devised specifically for knife blades and a clean, soft cloth. Work the paste down the blade, from the hilt toward the tip. Be very careful near the edge of the blade - an incautious touch can result in a serious injury.
Once the blade has been cleaned, you might decide to polish it a bit. A polishing compound and a soft cloth are all you really need here, though a rotary tool with a buffing pad can also be used to great results. Regardless, make sure that you always clean the blades of your Bowie knives to avoid any rust spots getting started on the knife.
Finally, when it comes to storing Bowie knives, there are two different schools of thought. Many people assume that keeping the blade stored in a leather sheath is sufficient. While this will work fine for ordinary use, where the blade is cleaned on a regular basis, it is not the right option if your knife will not see use for some time. In this case, you should store your blade in an airtight container to avoid moisture seeping through the leather sheath.
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