Whether you routinely carry a folder or a fixed blade, knowing how to care for the knife will protect the tool and ensure it performs when you need it most. Here are some top tips for knife care, from BUDK, an online knife store. 

• Keep the knife sharp. A sharp knife is a safe knife because you’ll be less likely to slip with a sharp knife. Whenever you notice that your blade needs to be touched up, give it a few passes on a stone to restore the edge. 
• Wipe and dry the blade before storing. Whenever you use your knife, make sure you wipe the blade clean and dry it before you store the knife. This is especially important for knives that do not have stainless steel blades, because if you leave any residue on the blade, it will be etched, stained, or develop rust or corrosion. 
• Use compressed air to blast out the interior of folding knives. The space between the liners of a folding knife should be kept clean, and rather than rinsing them out with water, compressed air is a better idea. Compressed air leaves no residue, doesn’t encourage rust, and effectively dislodges dust and dirt that can wear out the inner workings of a knife. 
• Keep hardware tight. Folding knives are held together with a series of hardware that secure the scales, liners, pivot, blade and lock. At least once per week inspect the knife and use an appropriate driver to tighten the works. 
• Oil the blade before storage. Whether or not your EDC knife has a fixed or folding blade, and whether or not the blade is stainless, you should treat the blade with a drop of oil to prevent rust and corrosion. 
• Do not store a fixed blade in a leather sheath for a prolonged period. Leather is beautiful and very comfortable for the purposes of carrying a knife, but it can trap moisture next to steel, which will cause rust if the blade is stored in the sheath for a prolonged period of time. 
• Hand wash only. Whenever your knife gets particularly dirty, you should wash it, but you should only wash it by hand. Never place a knife in the dishwasher or you will damage the scales and the harsh cycle can cause rust or corrosion on the blade as well. 

All in all, if you keep to these tips in this article, your knives will last longer and perform better, not to mention you’ll protect the investment better. 

Bookmark BUDK: Your One-Stop Knife Store 

In the market for a new knife? Bookmark BUDK, an online knife store that carries a wide variety of different fixed and folding blades, many of which are perfect for EDC. 

Check out their online collection and get in touch with their customer service team if you have any questions about the knives and tools they carry. In addition to knives they also carry a lot of cool stuff.

For more information About Crossbows and Pocket Knives please visit: BudK Worldwide Inc.